Anthropomorphism run amuck

Say what??!! Okay, I've been watching a lot of the Dog Whisperer lately trying to pick up on useful tips to have my little babies (read dogs) behave better and there is something very disturbing  that I am consistently seeing. Dog owners are treating their dogs as humans. Hence, the definition of anthropomorphism: The endowment of human characteristics to something that is not human.


Over and over again, we (yes, I am including myself) use human psychology as a technique in rearing our little angels. We assume that they can understand our logic and they are beaten into submission (or not) by our constant barrage of baby-talk, bribes, and babbling commands. It is amazing that anyone owns a well-behaved dog; I think it is purely the result of luck and/or a very stupid dog that can not be influenced by our own behavior.


Caesar Millan has it so totally right. What a dog needs is exercise, discipline, and affection (in that order). Period. Well, besides a good diet, obviously. The biggest problem is that dog owners are a lazy bunch and tend to give affection first and foremost. We unconsciously are petting them when they are barking their heads off at a cat - reinforcing their behavior! Millan encourages owners to give affection, but to give affection when the dog is in a balanced state of mind, not when the dog is fearful, anxious, avoidant or excited — when the affection itself can reinforce imbalance.


Reinforcing imbalance? Whoa. We humans have another term for this: enabling. And we are so, so good at it. So, Caesar, I am making a pledge: exercise, discipline, and affection every day. Um, well, at least discipline and affection every day. Especially affection.