BY FRAN JEWELL
Of course, I believe that the more we anthropomorphize dogs, the worse behaviors we see in them. From my standpoint, doing what I do as a certified dog behavior consultant, I think dogs are desperately seeking their real identities. Years ago, a man named William Glasser, M.D., wrote a book called “The Identity Society” where he talks about people searching for their identities.
I contend that the basis for almost all dog behavior problems, excepting some genetic temperament, is the result of lack of leadership in a manner that the dog understands. When we humanize dogs, we increase their confusion about who they are, thus I believe dogs are also searching for their identities because we have led them so far astray from who they are… dogs—a beautiful, loving species different from our own. We no longer honor our dogs for who they are.
If we think past that, and want to think about it in human terms, how does it feel when someone does not accept you for who you are? How about a parent that insists you should have grown up to be a lawyer instead of the marine biologist you knew in your inner heart you wanted to become?
Now, not only do websites call dog owners “parents,” they also encourage dog learning in a manner that is unlike natural learning that takes place within the dog kingdom, and with any species! We are encouraged to never discipline our dogs because discipline is inhumane. Well, let us consider that in our human species, we have rules. If you speed, you get a ticket. If you break other laws, you may go to jail. Yet, now many profess that giving a dog only positive reinforcement will create reliable behaviors. In fact, many don’t even call training “training” anymore. Instead of using the word “obedience,” they are using the word “manners.” Really, is “obedience” an evil word? Or does it help a dog to coexist in our human society? Does it help our dog to live with us? Does it give dogs guidance they desperately need? If dogs are not encouraged with fair and meaningful guidance, both encouragement and discipline, how are they to know what is acceptable? A dog with no boundaries will behave in a feral manner. Can we really afford that in our litigious society?
In a nutshell, honoring our dogs for being dogs is so important. It is only fair to give them guidance that is meaningful so they can live in our human society without biting or displaying other feral behaviors. But, they are not humans. Much of the new jargon begs us to treat dogs like humans. It will only serve to confuse them and create tremendous anxiety for them.
Fran Jewell is an Idaho Press Club award-winning columnist, IAABC-certified dog behavior consultant, NADOI-certified instructor #1096 and the owner of Positive Puppy Dog Training, LLC, in Sun Valley. For more information, visit www.positivepuppy.com or call (208) 578-1565.
