To interpret what surrounds us, human beings sometimes give human characteristics to the rest of the elements in our environment. Although some people are more inclined to anthropomorphize than others, it is a common way of perceiving and interacting with the world. Also, in the case of animals, it has helped us develop empathy towards them to protect them in a society that has not always done so. However, experts warn that do not go to the opposite extreme and start treat our pets as if they were people.
It is estimated that there are 7.5 million dogs in Spain and news such as the fact that they can now enter Ikea or that Renfe is going to try to let those weighing more than 10 kilos travel on its trains are proof that the figure is increasing and , with her, the spaces dog-friendly also. However, and although it is wonderful that we can consider them one of the family, we must be careful with humanize dogs because it is a mistake and has consequences for coexistence and their well-being.
What is considered to humanize a dog?
As the experts at the Nubika veterinary training school explain, “humanizing dogs means attributing to them exclusive characteristics of people and treating them as if they were human (attitudes, emotions, way of understanding the world, point of view, tastes, habits etc)”. Thus, behaving with a dog as if it were a person “prevents meeting their natural biological needs because they are being ignored to give more importance to what we think they should need.
Some most common practices of humanization of the dogs, according to the Nubika dog trainers, are the following:
Disguise them at carnival or Halloween: Although we humans find it very funny, it can annoy dogs. Although the animal does not suffer any damage, it does not receive any kind of benefit from it.
Give them food from our plate and sit them at the same table: We must bear in mind that the animal will not only live with us throughout its life. “All dogs have to know certain basic rules of behavior: if you feed them at a certain table, they will believe that they can eat at all the tables they find,” says the expert.
Put on clothes and fashion accessories: Although they may need a certain coat on specific occasions, in general, our dogs do not need to go out dressed.
Celebrate birthday parties: For Nubiko specialists, this is one of the biggest signs that we are treating our dog like a child. “Surely the animal will have a good time and enjoy a special can of food, but it will not understand all the commotion around it.”
Consequences of humanizing dogs
Although some of these practices are more harmless than others, one of the main problems with humanizing dogs is not setting limits or rules, which may present behavioral problems such as not respecting the basic rules of coexistence, becoming aggressive if he does not get what he wants, being very fearful, being frightened excessively and for anything, not walking calmly and pulling on the leash or not even obeying his owner.
And it is that neglecting the needs of the species and treat them like children can, as detailed from Nubika:
Trigger destructive behavior in the dog: Overprotection prevents him from relating properly with other dogs. Not having the necessary stimuli, the dog becomes frustrated and adopts repetitive or destructive behaviors. Not to mention the famous separation anxiety.
Generate stress: Not seeing their needs met (playing with other dogs, going outdoors more, running loose, etc.) will make the animal very nervous.
Socialization problems: if the animal is overprotected, it will not learn the necessary rules of coexistence. This can even involve a risk to your safety, since, if you do not know how to walk calmly down the street, you could get hurt or have an accident in a mistake.
Insecurity issues: Dogs that learn humanized behaviors will not be able to identify the natural behaviors of other dogs and will not be able to act accordingly.
More risk of being overweight: They eat all they want, ride around in baby carriages, and don’t get as much exercise as they should.
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