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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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To: The Louiswu

It’s a dog’s life. ;-)


21 posted on 10/23/2008 6:03:36 AM PDT by Paladin2 (Palin for President! (PUMA))
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To: Paladin2

Starr is my wife’s dog and Lucky is mine and you won’t find a more gentle pair of pups in all the world. We spoil them rotten and they give us smiles and laughs, they are the best.


22 posted on 10/23/2008 6:08:31 AM PDT by The Louiswu (Just say NO... to Hillary and O'Bama)
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To: All

Did someone say dawg?

Woof!


23 posted on 10/23/2008 6:14:14 AM PDT by Canedawg ("The media is a ass," said Mr. Bumble.)
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To: Travis T. OJustice

Got some Milkbones for you right-seater?


24 posted on 10/23/2008 6:25:48 AM PDT by Mr. Jazzy (USMC- Guarding freedom around the world since 1775)
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To: Daffynition

Cesar knows his stuff. One can easily lay on the doggie love pretty thick—with no problem—as long as first and foremost the dog knows he is a dog and you are the alpha.


25 posted on 10/23/2008 6:27:24 AM PDT by Petronski (Please pray for the success of McCain and Palin. Every day, whenever you pray.)
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To: Mr. Jazzy
Got some Milkbones for you right-seater?

Photobucket

Brother, can you spare a milkbone?
26 posted on 10/23/2008 6:29:01 AM PDT by ZX12R
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To: Leftism is Mentally Deranged

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.

It is terrible and demeaning both to dogs and humans. We all have our places in creation.

There is nothing more pathetic than the twenty and thirty year olds couples who baby a dog instead of some children of their own.


27 posted on 10/23/2008 6:30:01 AM PDT by Chickensoup ('08 VOTING for the SUPREME COURT that will be BEST for my FAMILY and voting for SARAH PALIN!!!)
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To: Trust but Verify

On second look you’re probably right. The hair just looked a bit curly around the muzzle. No Weimy in my pup.


28 posted on 10/23/2008 6:37:53 AM PDT by whatshotandwhatsnot
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To: Daffynition

29 posted on 10/23/2008 6:42:55 AM PDT by JRios1968 (Sarah Palin smash Hulk!)
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To: Daffynition

LOL!!!


30 posted on 10/23/2008 6:42:55 AM PDT by peggybac (Tolerance is the virtue of believing in nothing)
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To: Mr. Jazzy
Got some Milkbones for you right-seater?

Fred gets cheeseburgers.


31 posted on 10/23/2008 6:47:27 AM PDT by Travis T. OJustice (Change is not a destination, just as hope is not a strategy.)
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To: Canedawg
Woof!

GOOD BOY! < rub's dawg head >

32 posted on 10/23/2008 6:48:37 AM PDT by Travis T. OJustice (Change is not a destination, just as hope is not a strategy.)
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To: Daffynition
"I'll do anything if you just give me a treat." Image and video hosting by TinyPic
33 posted on 10/23/2008 6:50:29 AM PDT by peggybac (Tolerance is the virtue of believing in nothing)
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To: autumnraine
if you let your dog sleep in your bed, you are telling them that they are your equal.

This works at our house. It's just the way it is.

34 posted on 10/23/2008 6:53:04 AM PDT by Conservativegreatgrandma
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To: Daffynition

35 posted on 10/23/2008 6:56:12 AM PDT by colorcountry (To anger a conservative, lie to him. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth.)
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To: Mr. Jazzy

>Cesar is THE MAN when it comes to understanding dogs.<

Cesar is a dog trainer who is famous because he trained Will Smith’s wife’s dogs, and other Hollywood liberals’ pets. Sorry, but there are other people you’ll never hear of who know just as much if not far more about what goes on inside the head of a dog.

Google “Captain Arthur Haggerty” for starters, then “Dr Ian Dunbar”.

< /rant >


36 posted on 10/23/2008 7:04:39 AM PDT by Darnright (A penny saved is a government oversight)
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To: Daffynition
she's speaking for the entire pug-owner world.

No she isn't. She's a whack job.

L

37 posted on 10/23/2008 7:07:36 AM PDT by Lurker (She's not a lesbian, she doesn't whine, she doesn't hate her country, and she's not afraid of guns.)
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To: Daffynition
Now for something completely different:

Being a 'furry' brings out the beast in them

You have to see it to believe it.

Plus there's a story about them as well.

Lions and foxes and cat-dragons walk on two legs

38 posted on 10/23/2008 7:10:26 AM PDT by csvset
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To: Daffynition



No problem at all, as long as you understand just *whose* porch this is.
39 posted on 10/23/2008 7:17:52 AM PDT by shibumi (...vampire outlaw of the milky way...)
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To: Daffynition

True story- Yesterday, my husband and I were eating out for lunch and the couple behind us were talking very loudly. Turns out they were separated because the wife refused to train the dog. This couple was actually living apart because of their problems with the dog.


40 posted on 10/23/2008 7:17:56 AM PDT by half-cajun
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