Anthropomorphism

Anthropo - what? The American Heritage Dictionary defines Anthropomorphism as: “Attribution of human motivation, characteristics, or behavior to inanimate objects, animals, or natural phenomena.” So, why do you need to know this?

People often anthropomorphize their dogs. This means that they use human terms to describe how they think the dog feels and thinks. I often hear owners tell me that their dog is spiteful or mad at them. Or that he knows when he’s bad because he looks guilty. Trainers have referred to anthropomorphism as the Walt Disney Syndrome. Old Walt was probably the first guy to cash in on anthropomorphism. All of the animals were essentially little people in fur coats. They talk and sign and cry and laugh.

While I am not dismissing the fact that dogs have feelings, it is important to remember that because they are dogs, their thought process in much different from ours. So, the dog with a guilty look is usually responding to changes in the owner’s demeanor, or reacting to the fact that when the owner gets home, he usually yells at the dog for something.

The spiteful dog who pees or poops in the house either is not completely housetrained, stressed because he has separation anxiety, or was simply bursting because he really had to go!

It’s OK to say that Fido is happy when he’s playing fetch with you, or going to play with his favorite doggie friend. There is research that supports the theory that dogs can grieve the loss of favorite people or other pets and that they do indeed have feelings. But, it can be dangerous for our dogs to attribute human thought processes or too much human emotion to our canine friends. They are after all dogs, with all their wonderful dogginess, not little people in fur coats.

Chaining Dogs in Greenville County

Greenville County SC has been in the midst of a battle of sorts. There is a bill before the county council that would restrict the tethering or chaining of dogs. The new laws would only permit dogs to be tethered under supervision and then only with time limits. On the surface, this would seem to be a no brainer. You can't tie a dog out to a tree or dog house at the back of your property and leave them there 24-7 until they die.

Top Ten reasons that dogs should not live on a chain 24-7.

1. Dogs are social animals, they crave companionship. Most chained dogs don't get much of that.
2. Dogs are territorial animals. Chained dogs often become very protective of their small patch of ground.
3. Chained dogs are more likely to become aggressive. Lack of socialization , territorial issues, or frustration because the neighbor kids tease or taunt the dog can all cause a dog to become aggressive
4. Chained dogs bark more. They don't want to be alone, they are hungry, they are trying to defend their territory from the neighbor's cat or those darn squirrels..
5. Dogs are smarted than most people realize. Being chained with nothing to do leads to dogs developing behavior problems.
6. Out of sight-out of mind. If the dog lives outside, families often forget about the day to day care. Many chained dogs have severe health problems.
7. Chained dogs are vulnerable. Females who may be in heat will almost always become pregnant. Male dogs, trying to defend their territory are hampered by a chain around their neck and are more likely to get hurt in a fight.
8. If you want a dog for protection, chaining is counterproductive. A chained dog can not chase the bad guys away. And as he probably barks a lot because he's bored, so you wouldn't know the difference if he was barking at a real intruder.
9. Chained dogs are “hyper.” DUH! They don't get any exercise or training!
10. Chained dogs are just not real happy. If you want a dog, get a family pet. If you want a lawn ornament, get a statue of a dog.

Unfortunately, there are those diehards who think that there is nothing wrong with leaving a dog tied in the back yard until it dies. After all, it has been done since dogs were domesticated. Well, it used to be OK for children to work in mills and factories. It was accepted practice to whip children and wives for their transgressions. However, society has evolved, we now have laws that prohibit those acts.

Gandhi said, “A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.” Let's step up and be great Greenville.