The Dangers of Anthropomorphism - Experts Say It's A Mistake To Humanize Your Dog!

[Belles]

Anthropomorphism is a word that means to assign human characteristics to animals or inanimate objects. Humanizing a dog happens all too often as their human swears, “my dog doesn’t know he’s a dog!” I assure you he does.

BOISE, Idaho — "Oh, isn't he cute? My little smootchie-wootchy!" Some women talk baby-talk to their boyfriend or husband.

Some folks talk baby-talk to, well, babies.

And some of us talk baby-talk — to our animals.

"You shouldn't use the D-word, as far as we're concerned," Diane Turner said. Turner is the proud owner of a pug named Madison, and, as the local pug meet-up group organizer, she's speaking for the entire pug-owner world.

"Madison is my baby, and that's the beginning and end of everything."

So, what's wrong with this picture? Some experts say that humanizing your pet — anthropomorphism — is just not the right relationship.

"People humanize dogs and don't understand their psychology as pack animals," Cesar Millan, also known as the Dog Whisperer, said on his Web site. Millan has made a business — and a small fortune — by helping people live happily with problem dogs. He's been known to turn a nonstop barker/biter into a pussycat in a matter of 30 minutes.

"I begin by showing the dog that I am the pack leader," Millan said. "I fulfill the dog's need through exercise, which is walking the dog in the correct way. I give the dog rules, boundaries, and limitations ... and then affection." Millan said that especially in America, dog owners tend to overdo it on doggy love. They "give affection, affection, and more affection, when what the dog really needs is exercise, discipline — and then affection." Turner contends that, at least for her pug Madison — and any other pug for that matter — the outpouring of affection is in no way detrimental.

"She is our baby; they're part of the family and have the consideration anyone else in the family has. They send (Madison) cards, she sends cards, gives and receives Christmas presents.

"They're obviously not human," Turner acknowledged, a bit begrudgingly, "but that doesn't make them any less a member of the family." And, she adds, it's not that Madison runs roughshod over the household. Turner believes in disciplining Madison — but more as you would discipline a child.

Millan says, though, that treating dogs like people can cause problems and, more often than not, it just doesn't work.

"Many of my clients call their dog their soul mate or their baby, but the dog tears up the furniture and drags them all over the neighborhood on a walk," he said. "The client pleads with the dog to behave, cajoles the dog, and offers her treats with no change in the dog's behavior."


Dogs are animals, Millan said, and they respond to calm-assertive leadership — "not emotional arguments or negotiations." Dogs have found themselves in an odd predicament by living with humans, he said. In the wild, canines don't need humans to achieve balance. They have a pack leader, work for food, and travel with the pack.

But when we bring them into our world, "We need to help them achieve balance by fulfilling their needs as nature intended them to be." Millan's formula: "exercise, then discipline, and finally, affection."

"As the human pack leader, you must set rules, boundaries, and limitations and always project a calm-assertive energy." By adhering to his formula, Millan said, you'll be able to connect with your dog in a deeper way.

On the other hand, pug owner Turner said there's no need to restrict affection.

"Madison has rules, she knows she has limitations. And she is very apologetic when she knows that she's done something wrong. She comes and gives me kisses — just like a child would do."

[Belles]

That "bite" also works with horses. And works very well! Just now, I was on the back porch with Axel and he's constantly wanting to wrestle and play with Sasha. I can tell she's a bit off today and has no interest in his annoyances.. so I gave him the "bite". He ran in the house and is laying in his cage.. pouting no doubt, but he can stay there for awhile.. lol. The door is open, he can come out whenever he wants, but I'm not going in there to baby him.

With Axel, he would run you over if you babied him. It's very tempting to spoil him.. I mean one look at his face and your heart melts, but by not treating him like a DOG we are doing him a cruel disservice by not making him tow the line.

People who dress their dogs constantly and treat them as offspring have a screw loose in my opinion. Especially those that own more aggressive breeds... wow!

I call the dogs my "kids", but only because I'm lazy and I see them so much a part of our family. However, they have a place in the household.. and they are not equals, not human and not going to rule the roost. With three LARGE german shepherds, we must have a pecking order.

[Cheryl aka Purr]

I so agree Gunzilla, my friend does dress her "kids" for holidays, and the chis usually have sweaters or jackets on, but like Peaches they are thin skinned and dont have a way to stay warm.
They are good with other dogs and people except her smallest chi is a fiend with other dogs. I got him halloween day and worked with him, was actually an excellent day for me to handle him, many were out with their dogs, little and big. Hes a doll with kids and adult people but man other dogs of any size .. watch out.
I have come to adjust to her dressing them in jackets but, At least she lets them walk like dogs, other then the oldest rescue, whom doesnt walk very well.

[Bullies2Love]

Thing is Renee, Pit Bulls do get cold and love to be under the covers too.

[Belles]

really? My dogs hate it. Axel bites the sheets. LOL

[Barbara]

Belles, thank you so much for posting this. I think that when people anthropomorphize their dogs, the poor dog is doomed to have a job...the job is to provide a child substitute to the owner and to fill some void that the owner has. It's so unfair to the dog. Their only job should be to be a dog, albeit a well-behaved one.

Gunz is right on about Cesar. It is paramount to establish yourself as the pack leader and give your dog a sense of pack structure. A spoiled, humanized dog without true boundaries is a confused, unhappy animal; they are living in an unnatural state. Also, Gunz, a person with a 124 lb dog who doesn't establish pack leadership are putting everyone who comes into contact with that dog at peril, so thank God you are cognizant of that fact.

[Belles]

Renee.. it's the quiet ones you have to watch. Especially with the shepherds. I would much rather deal with a big, boisterous, snarly, growly guy.. than someone quiet like Bear or Sasha. You can't read them easily until it's too late.

Sasha was sitting in our truck one day at the farm and a neighbor came over.. who she knew. We were standing there yakking away and he (a cop) reached in and said, "Well hi Sasha, how are you?" OMG, I thought she was going to rip his throat out. She NEVER showed aggression, protective instincts.. ever. That was a real wake up call for me and a reminder of the breed and how quickly they can react. LOL

Larry said, "I should have known better" He was a dog handler for the sheriff's office. LOL

I had both girls in the truck with me once in our small town. I had just climbed in the truck to go home, it was dark and we were parked parallel to the sidewalk. Suddenly there were these 3 guys and they grabbed the passenger door and opened it. Sasha was the first one over the seat and grabbed this guy by the wrist. Aki was next.. they slammed the door and took off. All I know is that I was never so grateful to have those dogs with me at the time.. they went everywhere with me.. but only because they are a part of my every day life. Never thought they would ever have to live up to their name! LOL

[Belles]

I guarantee he would lay his life down for you. That's the GSD loyalty and cannot be undone. As shy as Sasha is.. I've seen her do it. Bear would not go down without a fight.

Check out the pic I posted on the next page. Wanna mess with dat?? LOL

[Belles]

I love Cesar's thinking.. and so many people criticize him but his methodology works. I see some of the dogs on his show and I just want to vomit.. I feel so sorry for them and these owners.. sitting there totally clueless and confused as to the relationship with their animal.. animal being the key word here.

[Lani]

Did you see that one episode with the gay guys and their "Fashion accessory" chihuahua? They were all "I don't know why she's so mean! We give her everything she wants!" Well maybe it's because you haven't bothered disciplining or training your precious fashion accessory and letting her be a dog on occasion. GAG.

[Belles]

LOL, they were the anthropomorphic QUEENS!!!!!! That was sickening.. they gave her everything THEY wanted.. but the one thing she really needed, they didn't provide her. I thought it was sad. On one of Cesars update shows it said they are now broken up.. gee, big surprise.

[Sarah: Wren&Cricket&Paco's Momma]

People who do that to Chi's make me sick! and then they cannot handle the dog any more and get rid of it! so i can be put down! Dogs are not and never should be fashion accessories! EVER! grr people like that make me sick!
Sarah: Wren, Cricket, and Loki's Momma

[Belles]

I believe that it is because people don't understand dog behavior at its core. If they did and truly understood a pack mentality, they would at least respect his methods. I'm sure for every case, his methods might not be best - but I have never not used one of his methods and had nothing but great success.

Believe me, I was the biggest Cesar skeptic.. I was a traditionalist type trainer through and through.. I learned from my mom who was all of 98 lbs and you better get a grip on a 105 lb German Shepherd or you're toast. It took me a long time to start thinking as a behaviorist vs. a trainer mentality. You cannot be a good trainer if you do not think first as a canine (not baby, human child) behaviorist.

The one I can't handle is that Victoria Stillwell. She has some good methods and she uses alot of Cesars philosophy, but she's a bit harsh for me.