People Who Treat Their Dogs Like Human Beings

[Will Lavender]

We have a neighbor whose dogs constantly bark. When she "disciplines" them, she treats them as if they are human beings. She'll say things like, "What did I tell you about that?!" She actually told me once, "They're just like kids."

Dogs are nothing like kids. They're animals and should be treated as such. I had a Border collie when I was growing up, and my dad treated it like a...dog. And it was an unbelievably fine dog. Perfectly behaved.

Anybody else find this behavior strange?

[Littlemeyer]

:lol: Guilty.

Well, perhaps I'm a bit hasty in that declaration. We'll talk to Maggie (our Golden) as if she's a person, but its more for our amusement than actually thinking she's a person.

We have a birthday party for her every year. (I've been told countless times that that is strange) We'll take a picture of her with her 'presents' (usually a new bone, and some kind of stuffed toy that, when you squeeze it, makes a noise...which, come to think of it, she gets all the time anyway, so its probably not a special occasion to her)

We have a dog and a cat (Hairy Caray), and at times, they do act a bit like kids. I swear, I believe they go behind each others back to try to get the other one in trouble.

I'm sure my attitude in this regard will change once have kids for real. Don't get me wrong, we won't stop loving them (couldn't dream of doing that...), but their roles as 'family members' will probably be demoted a bit.

[WildcatGirl]

I don't think that my dogs are human...but they certainly have many characteristics that children do, and I can say that because I do have human children. They act very much like toddlers...begging for whatever I'm eating...fighting for my attention...JEALOUSY (our female gets very upset if we talk to our male and will position herself between him and us)...their medical bills are unbelievable (and they constantly get ear infections)...they pout when they don't get their way...they hate to take a bath...they fight like a couple siblings, etc. When you consider that this list could go on and on I can see why someone would say that dogs are like children. But I have seen people carry it WAY TOO FAR...I've known people who's dogs eat at the table with them and they cook for them. Nowour dogs are spoiled rotten...but we do make them behave and they know who's the boss when you get right down to it.

[bleedbluelady]

Dogs are not humans. They don't think like humans, they don't react like humans. But theyare part of the family, at least in our family. IMHO, if you want to be a responsible dog owner you have to commit to exercise, discipline and love for your dogs...in that order. It is a big responsibility to raise a well behaved, disciplined dog. Not quite the responsibility of raising a child, but a responsibility none the less. If you have a dog or are considering getting a dog I highly recommendreading "Cesar's Way". It's written by Cesar Millan aka "The Dog Whisperer". Kudo's to Jeff Craddock for bringing this book to my attention. :thumbup

[surveyor]

While I agree dogs are not humans, they DO become a part of the family - especially if you're childless.

Funny thing is, when I discipline our dogs, I try to use the same words - No, Bad dog, etc. However, my wife tends to get frustrated with them and say, "What did I just say?!?" or "Stop it -HEY! I mean it!", lol:lol:

[Buddah]

Will Lavender wrote:
We have a neighbor whose dogs constantly bark. When she "disciplines" them, she treats them as if they are human beings. She'll say things like, "What did I tell you about that?!" She actually told me once, "They're just like kids."

Dogs are nothing like kids. They're animals and should be treated as such. I had a Border collie when I was growing up, and my dad treated it like a...dog. And it was an unbelievably fine dog. Perfectly behaved.

Anybody else find this behavior strange?




i think people's lives are pretty empty, no matter who they are or what they try to cultivate in the public arena. so that may stem from alot of things.. if you look at it one way, a dog is a part of the family, some take that line of thinking more so than others. to be quite honest, there are some dogs i would rather be around, than the animals who walk on two legs i have to encounter on most days of my life. to answer your question, i don't find it strange at all. most people consider their pet an extension of themselves or the family, so it is natural I think. i am sorry it bothers you will :ggrin: i meant to ask you, you have an extensive list of pet peeves, do you mind listing them or a few of them.. i find them good message board reading.

[EricBigNally]

Human, no. But Merlin (my Yorkie) is a member of my family. He shares a room with me and sleeps either under my bed or in my bed with me at night. If I'm not home, he comes back to "our" room to sleep on my bed. He jumps up and positions himself to lay only his head on the pillow just as we humans do. It is funny to see.