Dogs Don't Drive

Sundance: Why do people treat dogs like humans, feeding their excited dominant mindsets? We dogs don't know how to read books, wear dresses, drive cars, make dinner, or perform surgery. These activities would make us MAD! Yet this past week we were called on to help alleviate dog problem behaviors and I see the same typical symptoms and signs: treating us like we're human. 

James: Some people do not know know how to differentiate from emotion and need. There is a whole generation of humans with unstable minds. Humanizing can come from a nurturing behavior and it's sometimes difficult to break the emotional chains. Dogs live moment-to-moment and are  ten times likelier to change than humans.  Lots of people shut down and create an environment where they do not block negative energy properly. You are my grounding device, Sundance. You have taught me to become a better leader and use my senses, rather than conducting myself with an agenda or following my whims. 

Sundance: I know this! BUT why do humans insist on anthropomorphizing us? We are not the teenage anthropomorphizing ninja turtles.

James: Okay! Here where the problem lies. Humans coddle their dogs TOO MUCH! Humans want what is best for them and if they accomplish this through putting clothes on a dog then treating the dog's mind likewise, then the human feels fulfilled. This is not necessarily what the dog needs. Many of the pictures I take of you are evidence of humans fulfilling their own needs. As if you needed a froggy and ducky doll to nap with and wake up next to.  

Sundance: I have learned through you and Mama that dogs need to remove physical energy before they can remove mental energy. This is done with exercise. Why do some owners feel they can provide exercise with only the use of a backyard or dog-park?

James: The nature of an animal is to walk with his master or with a pack of other dogs. And this particular problem involves a lack of identification with a dog, not over-identification. If the human imagined living life with the physical limits they put on the dog (never leaving the property) the human would realize how frustrating that is. If dogs are not allowed to pack-migrate, they will become frustrated. When a dog is not given substantial daily exercise, problems arise that can be costly. 

Sundance: Costly problems? 

James: Dogs are emotional animals, but not in the way we think of humans as emotional. They read energy and observe mother nature constantly. When they come to us at eight weeks or as adult dogs they still need rules, boundaries, and limitations. The position of your leadership must be greater than the position of a downward dog yoga pose. The greatest problem I see regularly is not the behavior of the dog, but that of the owner. Owners only want what is best, and this is a kind, humane trait. However, the best thing for the psychology of a dog is to give him a solid foundation with daily exercise, discipline and affection. Always in this order. If not, you get a dog who is bashful and covers her face with her paws at picture taking. 

Sundance: There have to be more reasons people humanize us.


James: There are. It can come from mothering-needs, empty-nests, loneliness, imbalance, psychological problems, immaturity, or selfishness. But most of the time it comes from simply not knowing. People don't see where they are breaking Mother Nature's patterns; they do not see when they are denying the dog by providing for themselves. They do not see when they are spoiling a dog to its own detriment and creating a monster. But they want to learn, so you are here to teach them. Thank you Sundance!