| Anthromorphism....
Is attaching a human quality to a non human species..
This is the stuff that puts dogs in the gas chamber, folks.... :o
Dogs are simple. They have hardwired drives installed that assist them in the quest for survival. What makes it so difficult for the average Joe to train them is the inability to accept that. Like I said before, dogs are painfully honest animals... what you see is what you get..When we twist what we see into something that's easier for us to understand (a human behavior, emotion, etc...) we open up a hole can of inconsistant treatment of them....
You can bet your bottom dollar that they are an intelligent species... but, they live in the HERE AND THE NOW. They DO NOT plot against us. The DO NOT eat the pillow to piss us of..They do not exhibit emotions in the way WE exhibit emotions. We do NOT do them ANY favorsby thinking they are anything other than what they are - DOGS.
It's an awfully egotistical person who wishes for their dog to emulate them. Why would anyone WANT to put that much pressure on a dog. Why not just accept a dog for what it is - and work with that????????
Yes, dogs learn ways to "manipulate" the system... so, if your dog has pushed it's way to the front of the "petting line", then it's only because he's succeeded on a previous attempt, and gained the gratification he sought in the first place. PERIOD.
Do your dogs a favor, and let them be dogs. ;)
Respectfully,
Elisabeth  |