08/06/2024
Dogs are not human, and they are happiest when we treat them as what they are- animals with biological needs that are different from our own human needs.
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I truly believe that if Steve Irwin were alive today, he would have a dedicated group of people who hated him for how he treated animals.
Steve always treated every species he worked with, as the species they were, not forcing them to change their nature.
More and more I find myself trying to convince people to "let the dog go outside, it's okay if they get a little dirty" or "your snake is arboreal and can't just be confined to a small tub." Or "Your working breed dog is not happy being still and lazy in your one bedroom apartment with nothing to keep them active and thinking."
It seems in this next generation of animal husbandry, we're deciding that all animals are now going to become (and be treated as) our little babies.
Now, is it okay to refer to your furry, feathered, scaly friend as such? Of course!
Is it okay to treat them as human babies...absolutely not at all.
As we see this change taking place, so to do we see more and more stressed out animals. Ones with a lack of structure and mental enrichment...but tons and tons of random toys and bags of treats.
What Steve Irwin did is create an environment that was enriching for the animals he had. Not attempt to force the animals to adjust to his environment.
Taking your Border Collie or herding, working, hunting, breed on a 10 minute walk (as long as you remember, it's not raining or just not feeling upto it) once a day, is not cutting it.
Locking your pyrenees or Shepherd breed in a kennel all day and then keeping'em in a small apartment, but still expecting the dog to be still and always cuddling...not cutting it.
Keeping your African grey parrot in a small enclosure with a few items that you've not replaced...is not cutting it.
When you bring an animal into your life. It is so important to understand what that animal is and have a structured enrichment routine and appropriate setup for the breed/species before you take in the animal.
Anything less than what your animal needs is a disservice to your best friend.
Be kind to your animals, enrich their lives (in a way that's appropriate for them). Keep them thinking. Keep them exploring. Give them understanding and structure and you will keep them happy.
~Benjamin McGill, M.C.B Owner of GoodBoy animal training.
Picture taken while visiting local aquarium store.
