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jae · 03-22-2013, 01:57 PM

How very existential...
Personally, I do my best not to humanize dogs. I get angry when people say that crating them is abuse, or making them wait for food is torture, or not letting them on the furniture or beds makes them feel bad, making them walk in the cold is unfair... yes all that, I have been told. Why humanize dogs by allowing all the above? We see in apes the emotions and structure that may be the basis for human feelings and relationships, but why translate these psychological findings to canines? They may well be capable of emotion, but is it really accurate? I don't know.

He does seem to have a point, especially with the burger and lab.
But he contradicts himself, says that "opportunistic manipulative behavior" and right after, "They don't have a narrative mind or the language to have those sorts of human qualities,"

Poorly written, but I certainly see his point.

I really think that all creatures high and low need a purpose in life. Depending on the mental capabilities of the creature in question, the different parts of Maslow's hierarchy need to be met. Canines really fall only into the lowest bits, meeting their physiological needs above all, guarding their territory (safety), staying as a pack (belonging)... Well, even after domestication, these needs still MUST be met. Humans provide the outlet for these needs to be met.

Often, I hear, the dog works to please the handler. I really disagree with this, honestly I believe that the dog works to please HIMSELF, the handler just empowers the dog in the work it does, the dog enjoys the work, the dog has a purpose in life, the dog is provided with BELONGING through this. Further, their owners provide territory and physiological satisfaction.

Think of the dogs that seem to be depressed when their owner is not around. What are they really thinking? Well, who knows. But I speculate that they are lacking their belonging, and their safety, yes their physiological needs are being met, but certain creatures clearly have a higher mental capacity to require something more. Canines are one of them.
What about dogs who are re-homed, more often than not (never heard of a not) they do just fine with the new family. Why?

03-22-2013, 01:57 PM	#10 (permalink)
jae Master Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Chi Posts: 653	How very existential... Personally, I do my best not to humanize dogs. I get angry when people say that crating them is abuse, or making them wait for food is torture, or not letting them on the furniture or beds makes them feel bad, making them walk in the cold is unfair... yes all that, I have been told. Why humanize dogs by allowing all the above? We see in apes the emotions and structure that may be the basis for human feelings and relationships, but why translate these psychological findings to canines? They may well be capable of emotion, but is it really accurate? I don't know. He does seem to have a point, especially with the burger and lab. But he contradicts himself, says that "opportunistic manipulative behavior" and right after, "They don't have a narrative mind or the language to have those sorts of human qualities," Poorly written, but I certainly see his point. I really think that all creatures high and low need a purpose in life. Depending on the mental capabilities of the creature in question, the different parts of Maslow's hierarchy need to be met. Canines really fall only into the lowest bits, meeting their physiological needs above all, guarding their territory (safety), staying as a pack (belonging)... Well, even after domestication, these needs still MUST be met. Humans provide the outlet for these needs to be met. Often, I hear, the dog works to please the handler. I really disagree with this, honestly I believe that the dog works to please HIMSELF, the handler just empowers the dog in the work it does, the dog enjoys the work, the dog has a purpose in life, the dog is provided with BELONGING through this. Further, their owners provide territory and physiological satisfaction. Think of the dogs that seem to be depressed when their owner is not around. What are they really thinking? Well, who knows. But I speculate that they are lacking their belonging, and their safety, yes their physiological needs are being met, but certain creatures clearly have a higher mental capacity to require something more. Canines are one of them. What about dogs who are re-homed, more often than not (never heard of a not) they do just fine with the new family. Why? Last edited by jae; 03-22-2013 at 02:02 PM.