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Expert: It's a mistake to humanize dogs [Cesar Millan mentioned]
McClatchy Newspapers ^ | October 22, 2008 | Jeanne Huff

Posted on 10/23/2008 5:09:55 AM PDT by Daffynition

— "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," , 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.

(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...


TOPICS: Education; Pets/Animals; Science
KEYWORDS: doggieping
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Whatever are you talking about?


1 posted on 10/23/2008 5:09:55 AM PDT by Daffynition
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To: Daffynition

It’s fashionable to humanize animals. It’s a leftist viewpoint that animals are really just as smart as people, and that people are really just as smart of animals.


2 posted on 10/23/2008 5:15:44 AM PDT by Leftism is Mentally Deranged (liberalism = serious mental deficiency)
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To: Daffynition

Cesar is THE MAN when it comes to understanding dogs.

The “D-Word”? These people have a serious mental disorder. I love dogs, but not wanting to call a dog a dog?

I personally take that as an insult to all DEVIL DOGS & DOG FACED SOLDIERS everywhere!!!


3 posted on 10/23/2008 5:15:52 AM PDT by Mr. Jazzy (USMC- Guarding freedom around the world since 1775)
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To: Daffynition

What is the breed of the pup in your photo? I think that’s close to what my 5 month old Wheaten Terrier/unknown mix will look like. Right now I’m calling him a Wheabrador.


4 posted on 10/23/2008 5:16:33 AM PDT by whatshotandwhatsnot
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To: Mr. Jazzy

Dog is my co-pilot.


5 posted on 10/23/2008 5:17:21 AM PDT by Travis T. OJustice (Change is not a destination, just as hope is not a strategy.)
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To: Leftism is Mentally Deranged

My mutt is certainly smarter than a lot of 0bama voters i know of.


6 posted on 10/23/2008 5:18:00 AM PDT by Travis T. OJustice (Change is not a destination, just as hope is not a strategy.)
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To: Daffynition
Photobucket

"I am not an animal!"
7 posted on 10/23/2008 5:18:05 AM PDT by ZX12R
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To: Daffynition

I don’t see the problem, and neither does my sweet little baby.


8 posted on 10/23/2008 5:18:27 AM PDT by BykrBayb (May God have mercy on our souls. ~)
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To: Daffynition

I love my dogs but some people really do take it too far.

I lost a girlfriend over an offhand comment about her dog. I said something about him being slow and that was all it took. Really should have seen it coming though. She divorced her husband because he said something about her dog and she warned me almost daily that I wiuld screw up someday.


9 posted on 10/23/2008 5:18:37 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Paying taxes for bank bailouts is apparently the patriotic thing to do. [/sarc])
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To: Daffynition
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."

Gaaaaahhhhh!!!!

It ain't yer baby, lady. It's a friggin' D-A-W-G Dog!!! You rule the house, not it. Or you would if you weren't a miserable, wimpy, mush-brained liberal.

10 posted on 10/23/2008 5:19:43 AM PDT by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilization is Aborting, Buggering, and Contracepting itself out of existence.)
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To: whatshotandwhatsnot

Looks like a weimaraner to me.


11 posted on 10/23/2008 5:23:41 AM PDT by Trust but Verify ( All others Palin comparison!!!)
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To: Daffynition

Calling a dog a dog is Speciest!!!!!


12 posted on 10/23/2008 5:23:58 AM PDT by Tennessee_Bob (They're illegal aliens, not immigrants - there is a difference!)
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To: Daffynition
Photobucket

Do I look like just a dog to you? I'm so much more.
13 posted on 10/23/2008 5:26:23 AM PDT by ZX12R
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To: Daffynition


Starr and Lucky would beg to differ with you!
14 posted on 10/23/2008 5:32:34 AM PDT by The Louiswu (Just say NO... to Hillary and O'Bama)
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To: Daffynition

I am most definitely alpha female in my pack of large dogs. I can wave my hand and they move. I love on them, but I take Cesar’s view that if you give them too much affection they will take it to mean you are kissing up to them and that you are their submissive. With their size, I have to remain in my role to keep control of four dogs.

Also, I read somewhere that the roles in packs are played by who sleeps next to the alpha male or female. So if you let your dog sleep in your bed, you are telling them that they are your equal.


15 posted on 10/23/2008 5:32:57 AM PDT by autumnraine (Churchill: " we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall never surrender")
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To: cripplecreek

It sounds like you were the winner in that game.


16 posted on 10/23/2008 5:33:41 AM PDT by autumnraine (Churchill: " we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall never surrender")
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To: Daffynition

I love this guy. He gets it. He loves dogs, and he loves them AS dogs. He wants them to experience their “dog-ness.”


17 posted on 10/23/2008 5:50:02 AM PDT by LS ("Castles made of sand, fall in the sea . . . eventually." (Hendrix))
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To: Daffynition
Sure, I treat my dog like I treat my kids...Feed 'im once a day, put him to bed on the floor, and beat him with a big stick when he screws up.

...He seems happy enough.

18 posted on 10/23/2008 5:52:15 AM PDT by LongElegantLegs (They're penguins! Just wipe the oil off the white parts and toss 'em back!!)
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To: cripplecreek
I lost a girlfriend over an offhand comment about her dog. I said something about him being slow and that was all it took. Really should have seen it coming though. She divorced her husband because he said something about her dog and she warned me almost daily that I wiuld screw up someday.

Funny, you typed "lost" when you meant "escaped."

19 posted on 10/23/2008 5:53:27 AM PDT by ko_kyi
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To: cripplecreek

Today we’ll discuss what I like to call “Warning Signs”... ;-)


20 posted on 10/23/2008 5:54:15 AM PDT by LongElegantLegs (They're penguins! Just wipe the oil off the white parts and toss 'em back!!)
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