64 – A Dog is a Dog


Three fuzzy faces watch through the window as I walk out of the door. What is it I see? Sadness? Disgust? Contempt? I know they are not happy at being left behind, but why? Are they able to anticipate that I will be visiting their “Grandmother” or are they afraid the thunderstorms, which have been numerous lately, will be arriving while I am out? Perhaps they are upset that I will have access to fast food and also the ability to harass other dogs from the security of vehicle (of course, I don't actually do that, but they do). The problem is, all of these conjectures are based on anthropomorphism – the attribution of human characteristics to non-human objects, animals included. Is it truly a problem? It depends. Sorry, I know people hate that answer.


Studies have provided us with insights into the different ways in which people treat pets. David Blouin, a cultural sociologist at Indiana University South Bend, classified those roles into three categories, one of which was humanist, in which dogs are valued much as another human. I suspect most people who read this column fall into that category, though we may vary in degree. We talk to our pets as if they were human, ascribe to them human emotions of love, fear, and jealousy. We strive to make them happy. We want other beings to be like us – it makes them easier to understand and easier to love. We are social creatures and pets give us an outlet for connection that is relatively safe.


What are the benefits of anthropomorphism to the pet? If we humanize them, we make them a part of the family. We become morally and ethically obligated to care for them. We are more likely to make sure they receive good nutrition and proper medical care. We make sure they are well-socialized and include them on family outings. We readily accept current research supporting evidence that dogs share emotions similar to ours and we take measures to limit our dogs' distress by providing them with playmates at doggie day care, bringing a companion for the dog into the home, or buying toys (some of which are very expensive) that will engage their canine brains in activity and reduce boredom and anxiety. We seek to fulfill their needs.


So what could be the problem with anthropomorphism and our dogs? It's not just emotions we assign to our dogs, but motives. Common complaints I've heard:

Assignment of motive leads owners to justify punishment. They use harsh tools (chokes collars, prongs, shock collars) to stop the leash pulling and alpha rolls to show the dog who is boss. They use rolled up newspapers to hit the dog while pushing her nose in the mess. They isolate the dog outdoors, never again allowing him to be a part of the family. The dog knew he was doing something wrong, so he deserves to be punished.


Using human motives to explain common canine behavior causes some to miss the true explanations of dog behavior . Dogs pull because they walk faster than humans and they want to explore all the great smells. They mess in the house because they have an infection, they have been inside too long, something frightens them, or they were never completely house-trained in the first place. ( Dogs love to roll in droppings and drink from the toilet. Why would they think messing up your rug is bad?) They eat your shoes because they become anxious when you leave them alone and chewing relieves the stress. You left your shoes out, they smell like you, they are leather like some of the dog treats – they were a natural choice.


How do we choose, then, what makes our dogs similar to us and what is simply faulty assignment of human characteristics or motivation to them? It's a question that intrigues modern researchers. In fact, dogs have taken the place of chimpanzees as prime subjects in studies of emotions and intellect. The more studies done, the more commonalities between us are found. Still, dogs are dogs. We need to look at their behavior from a canine, rather than human, point of view. That means understanding why dogs do what they do – something good trainers work at constantly. The trick is to think more like a dog and less like a human – no easy feat.


The next time your dog engages in behavior you find unacceptable, step back and ask “why?,” but do it from a dog's point of view. Try not to think like a human. It isn't easy and may take a lot of effort on your part. Few people like to leave their comfort zone. Then remember what Edward Hoagland wrote: “In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semi-human. The point is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog.”