@Cuckoo996
I too hope people are not offended by your points, they're valid...I certainly don't disagree with you when I see how some dogs are humanised, but perhaps I do disagree in your own eyes. My dear doggo is a great friend and she enjoys snuggling up close, but we have various routines/circumstances in which that occurs... she eats in her bowl at set times (not at the table...), she goes for walks where we both play around and whilst with me on her standard walk, she works for her ball.
I'm not convinced I overly humanise her, I more likely canine-ise myself as I have more fun playing at her level/style.
That's not humanising in my eyes, that's being a dog. Humanising is giving the dog the same status and permissions as the other humans in the household. All animals have a heirachy packs of dogs have alphas and betas. In my eyes the humans are the alphas, the dogs are lower an should understand that. Not with aggression or fear, but with love and firmness. Humanising as an example is those handbag dogs, dogs that eat at the same table or plate at the same time as the humans. Owners that reward their dog no matter what, even if it's unwanted behavior
Example dog urinates in house "oh poor puppy! Never mind you are so cute! Have a treat, good dog! "
Dog now thinks peeing in the house is a good thing, can you see where I'm coming from?
Canines and other pack animals use negative reinforcement. Humans are the only ones that use positive, it's confusing for an animal that's genetically hardwired for one to understand the other.
Theres a vast difference to loving your companion to humanising.
Most basic tool I use is food and treats. Dog knows when it's dinner time, they have a biological clock, he knows that without me he won't eat, like the alpha leads the hunt, kind of like a mutual respect.
Treats, if he does as I ask he gets a treat, if not then he doesn't. He knows by no reviving the treat that he didn't do as I asked, and will therfore learn.
I a pack the higher ranking members will physically correct any lower ranking members. Same principle, but I use food and voice not aggression and violence.
Put it this way, my boy. Is so respectful that I could put a fresh blood drenched t bone in front of him, and if I say leave it, it will stay there for a week if I don't tell him he can have it, but we also cuddle on the sofa, play fetch, "find it" is his favourite game.
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