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Positive Dog

Dogs aren't fur babies.. however...

Published about 1 year ago • 2 min read

Even though our dogs aren't actually fur babies or tiny humans, they do feel many of the same emotions as we do. Humans, dog, horses, and other mammals all feel anger, fear, disgust, joy, and sadness.

Dogs feel all of these things, yet we can't reason with them like you would with a human. Dogs don't have morals - a sense of right or wrong. They simply do what feels good and what gets them the things they want.

Genetics play a huge factor in what dogs want. Some dogs were bred to guard, so barking at the FedEx driver feels good! Some dogs were bred to dig for rodents, so digging up your garden and chasing squirrels feels great!

Dogs live in the moment and don't have a sense of morality.

Dogs don't have a sense of right and wrong. Your dog doesn't understand that it is "mean" to steal a treat from an old dog, but they can feel sadness or anger if another dog steals their treat.

Dogs don't understand that is is "wrong" to hurt a child or to knock over an elderly person, but they can feel frustration when their leash is pulled on each time they try to greet a stranger by jumping on them.

And, in spite of what we might see on social media, dogs definitely don't feel guilty for counter surfing, getting into the garbage, or for chasing the neighbours cat.

Our expectations of a 'good' dog sometimes clash with what dogs enjoy doing.

If your dogs bark at the neighbour walking by with their young kids, this might upset you.

You might feel frustration, embarrassment, fear, or even anger.

Your dog might feel anger or fear towards the neighbour, or fear in general because you get upset every time the neighbour walks by. Your dog doesn't understand that you are upset because of the barking, they blame the stranger for your mood.

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In another scenario, each time a dog walks by, you might shorten up the leash and sternly tell your dog to sit. Some people might yank on the leash or use a tool like a prong or e-collar. You are likely trying to prevent your dog from causing a scene, scaring, or maybe even hurting the other dog.

  • A dog doesn't understand that your actions are because of their behaviour.
  • A dog connects 'other dog walks by' with 'my human gets upset'.
  • Other dogs start to predict unpleasant situations.
Dogs do not blame their actions for why you are upset or why a punishment was delivered. They blame the other dog walking by, the fact that you came home, or whatever else is happening in the world around them.

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Positive Dog

Christina Young, BSc, CDBC, PCBC-A

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