Your dog is not a human being. Stop treating her like one

Many dogs are more human than some people.

just sayin' …

I had to send that to my wife. She gets so annoyed with clients overfeeding their animals. Lots of good points people should keep in mind.

"Many dogs are more human than some people."

Every day I come home, I'm treated like a rock star by my dogs. They also think the litter box is an AYCE buffet.

"Seeing your dog as a 'little-furry-human' isn't necessarily wrong," says Roland, who is a proponent of positive relationships between people and their pets. "But it is a failure to accurately see them as what they are… what they want, and what they need."

This quote isn't necessarily wrong, it is just complete nonsense.

I think the article was a good reminder for some people not to project their wants and needs onto a pet. In many cases it would be healthier for dog and human to go outside and do the things that dogs really love, instead of all the indoor affection and food that can turn some dogs neurotic and or fat. At least as far as the need to move and run we would be better off to follow their lead.

Not sure I get you Allen. How is it nonsense that seeing them for what they aren't is a failure to see them for what they are?

humans are not as human as they think they are.
they are merely animals with the ability to deceive themselves that they are special in the order of things.

some humans reason (but not all)
some dogs reason (but not all)

most dogs love to eat (but not all)
most humans love to eat (but not all)

some dogs love exercise (but not all)
some humans love exercise (but not all)

dogs possess just about every emotional feeling that humans do.
if you don't believe this you have never really tried to understand a dog.

No matter how much anyone likes to think their dog is human, they are still just animals.

"Every day I come home, I'm treated like a rock star by my dogs. They also think the litter box is an AYCE buffet."

Kitty Roca

Humans are part of the animal kingdom too. Genetically there is less difference between a person and a sea star, than between some fungi.

"Every day I come home, I'm treated like a rock star by my dogs. They also think the litter box is an AYCE buffet."

So, if I understand you correctly, you're saying that when you come home, your dogs look at each other, and one says to the other, "there's Dad! He's the sh!t….."

Come on Kat. There is a world of difference between humans and dogs. Some people forget that. The article is a good reminder for the "dog is part of the family" crowd. I really like my dogs, but I know they aren't people.

I just deleted all of the ways they are different, because if you (or anybody) is going to deny the difference, then no sense in arguing.

Sounds like I need to redefine my relationship with my pet sea star.

I guess it was the word "just" that I objected and reacted to. Dogs are nor humans but we are both animals and when it comes to life on earth we are more similar than different. That said, we are not the same and some of our needs are different. Dressing a dog, keeping it inside all the time and expecting it to fulfill all our emotional needs, irregardless of the dog's needs- is not being good to them.
I love my dog and he is my buddy and comes with me all over the mountain several times a week.He is never mad, passive aggressive etc. he makes me smile.
I have a daughter and I love her much more.

Are we "better"? Who knows. We can be wonderful and terrible.

I think the main point is dogs need a diet. (yes many of us humans do too) But we choose everyday to eat more. Dogs by their nature eat all they can and since typically they ate what they killed, when they could. So giving them free reign of the pantry is a bad idea.

The other big point is they still have animal instincts that aren't as easily overridden as ours. They will growl and bite if afraid, startled, or territorial. They will copulate if a female is in heat. Some dogs (mine for instance) have a strong prey drive. They are bred to chase…and can't help it. You need to keep some dogs on a leash!

I think it's important to be fair. I once dressed my pup up for halloween. She didn't like it. So I let her dress me up the next year. She dressed me up like a rabbit. Then chased me all over the neighborhood.

We don't dress each other up anymore….

"We don't dress each other up anymore…."

Snort! Chortle! Guffaw!

One of the reasons dogs work so well with humans is that dogs are pack animals, and they are happy to be part of a mostly human "pack."

But when the humans disappear all day, going off to work or school, the dog has suddenly "lost" his pack. This can be a very traumatic event for the dog, and if repeated everyday, very bad for the dog…very neurotic inducing! Just look for some of the YouTube videos showing what dogs do when the owners leave the house!

For that reason, we always try to have at least two dogs – not just one. This way, when we go off to work, they still have their pack and are not abandoned. It's more work and expense to have two dogs, but it's just so much better for them. We don't get quite the "rockstar" welcome when we come home, though they are exuberantly happy to have the whole pack back together. And when the kids and grandkids come over, well, the only thing missing is a moose to chase down!

Dogs are pack animals, with a pack hierarchy, gorge at a kill, and express displeasure with their teeth. Fail to recognize that, and you will have problems with your dog.

No matter how much anyone likes to think they're human, they are still just animals.

We had two dos for a while. One was a prick. When he was put down the other rejoiced and never has looked for him. Happy as a clam to get the house to himself now so he can catch up on his sleep.

I like the special bond between human and canine. Two species that will kill one of its own to protect the other.

"Dogs by their nature eat all they can and since typically they ate what they killed, when they could. So giving them free reign of the pantry is a bad idea. "

I leave food out and let him eat as much as he wants.

He is still skinny.

Not much prey drive either, note bunny.

Yup, all the Aussies I ever had ate all they wanted and never got fat. Bowl was always full. Labs…..another story.

Of course you can find the exceptions to the rule Olsen. But on average, this is fact…

But on average, this is fact…

Yep, my boy would eat a 50-lb bag full if unchecked.