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Posted on Sun, Mar 27, 2011 : 11:32 a.m.

Attributing human characteristics to pets is common, but there are times that it goes too far

By Lorrie Shaw

caughtdogEmery.jpg

flickr photo courtesy of Emery_Way

Let's face it: We love dogs.

Sharing our lives with dogs has changed dramatically over the past couple of decades, and by and large that's been a good thing for them. Better treatment of canines, better understanding of the species as a whole by experts and better health care have all been helpful.

The study of canine cognition has grown vigorously, which is also important for more reasons than I can count.

As dogs have been brought into our lives in a more inclusive capacity, the whole dynamic of their behavior has changed. Dogs have had to evolve quickly. We expect more out of them — sometimes too much — and in order for them to exist in a more civilized way so that they can be with us inside our homes, the need for us as humans to learn to modify their natural instincts and behaviors has become a necessity.

An unfortunate side effect of this change has been the anthropomorphism of animals as a whole.

Ask anyone who lives with pets how they perceive the animals' behavior, emotions and perceptions, and you'll get a range of answers.

That's not surprising, quite honestly. Considering all of the influences, such as books, blogs, TV personalities and sometimes very unqualified people that are out there telling dog owners what dogs think and feel, it happens a lot.

Combine that with the preconceived notions that we have to draw from on our own experiences as humans, and people not knowing how to choose a dog trainer or a behaviorist (if and when it's needed), and it's usually a recipe for disaster for canines.

I see many things in any given week that leave me with raised eyebrows as far as what pet owners say or do to with regard to the behavior of four-legged members of our world.

This past week was no exception. Surely you've seen the video of the "guilty" yellow lab circulating all over the internet, by now.

After seeing it myself last weekend, I was immediately incensed by the assertion that this pooch was somehow feeling guilty about getting into a package of cat treats. By mid-week, the video went viral.

Why do I feel this way? This video — and the circulation that it's gotten — along with the hordes of others like it on the Internet give the wrong message. Good Morning America decided to do a segment on it as well, albeit tongue-in-cheek.

The video of the pooch conveyed anxiety and nervousness. Guilt? Not likely. Guilt is part of the human condition. A higher-order emotion.

It's difficult for most not to be anthropomorphic with dogs especially, but It's puzzling why we continue to place human emotions on canines to this degree. The practice leads people off track, especially where serious behavior problems are concerned.

Before we can help unfold dogs into the unique creatures that they are, we need to understand them on a level that is appropriate — not one tainted by our preconceived notions due to our human experiences.

Let's leave the postulating about dog behavior to animal behaviorists and ethologists, shall we? Dogs might be better served if we spend more time trying to understand higher-order emotions where they truly reside: In humans.

Read more on the topic of "dog guilt" and higher-order emotions here.

Lorrie Shaw is lead pets blogger for AnnArbor.com and frequently writes about dogs. She welcomes your contact via email, and to follow her daily adventures as owner of Professional Pet Sitting on Twitter.

Comments

Ann English

Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 10:34 p.m.

I've never seen a labrador react to an empty bag or words like Denver did. It's easy to imagine Denver caught the remaining scent of the cat food from the empty bag and had not liked the taste of the food that much, so the owner merely called up a bad memory. He probably taught Denver the command, "Go to the kennel". I once had a half terrier dog who amazed me once when he obeyed, "Go drink your water," for I never taught him those words. I don't believe that real dolphins understand human situations and can communicate physically with us the way Flipper did on TV. That show was for entertainment, not education.

bedrog

Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 6:53 p.m.

To avoid anthropomorphizing with higher mammals to at least some extent is to wrongly ignore our evolutionary links to them. But i draw the line at "Finding Nemo"-ism, despite its immense appeal on many levels ( especially to my 2 year old granddaughter).

Sarah Rigg

Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 1:43 p.m.

I thought the video was hilarious, but I never thought it was the true face of guilt. Thanks for that final link to the Science Daily article- that's about what I expected in terms of what produces the "guilty" look.

Mary

Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 4:22 p.m.

We who love their dogs do have a habit of seeing human charcteristics in our pups. That video was very funny & that nervous smile was great. My pup smiles like that too.

KathrynHahn

Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 4:52 a.m.

I have saved hundreds, if not thousands on therapy by "pretending" my dogs understand me when I get home and complain about my day as they stare at me wide-eyed at my stories, although I know deep down it's just like that old Far Side cartoon 'what dogs really hear' blah blah blah blah Fido! blah blah Fido! blah blah blah

Lorrie Shaw

Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 2:15 a.m.

Craig: I'm glad that you took the time to read the piece - I can tell that it struck a chord with you. I appreciate you taking the time to comment.

Craig Lounsbury

Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 11:56 a.m.

I hope you caught my attempted humor. The truth is, I couldn't get either dog to respond to your article. I'm concerned about their lack of curiosity about the Internet.

nuseph

Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 2:13 a.m.

This video was nothing to get incensed over. It looks like the person who made it was just joking (hence, the music in the background). If I come home and see my dog's gotten into something, I jokingly scold her while I'm cleaning it up, but I know she's not feeling any angst over it.

Lorrie Shaw

Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 2:38 a.m.

Thanks for your input, nuseph. I hope to see your comments again in the future!

ferdcom

Sun, Mar 27, 2011 : 11:30 p.m.

Cesar Millan ----- "it's a dog!"

Lorrie Shaw

Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 2:53 a.m.

ferdcom: One thing that I will say that I appreciate about Cesar Millan: He doesn't seem to humanize a dogs behavior or actions. And that's a great thing. Good to see your comment!

julieswhimsies

Sun, Mar 27, 2011 : 10:33 p.m.

I do believe some people anthropomorphize their pets a bit too much. I know people who refer to their dogs, cats, and horse as their children. I do love my dog and horse dearly....but their behavior needs to be understood within the context of their species IMHO.

julieswhimsies

Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 9:09 p.m.

Thanks, Lorrie. I know people who CONSTANTLY treat their dogs with people food, leading to obesity...hence arthritis and shortened life span. I also know people who believe their horses to be spiritual beings. They over-treat and over-groom. My dog Bree gets high quality kibble and occasional dog treats. My horse eats grass, hay, grain...and I use treats as a reward for good behavior. I LOVE my animals!

Lorrie Shaw

Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 2:28 a.m.

julieswhimsies: I agree. I meet people with overweight dogs who will say: "I give my dog a little extra food because they look hungry." (I'm sure that some people say the same thing about their horses - not all, but some.) Attaching our very human emotions to try and interpret domesticated animals' actions and behavior doesn't do them any favors. Thanks for your two cents!

Craig Lounsbury

Sun, Mar 27, 2011 : 8:22 p.m.

I showed this column to my dog. His response...woof woof then he lifted his leg on my monitor.