24/02/2023
Are dog owners becoming far too anthropomorphic?
While we want to give our dogs all the comforts and advantages to a life with humans, where does one realise boundaries are necessary for a harmonious life for the dogs AND for the people?
I want to ask you a serious question. Do you think that a dog who is allowed absolutely anywhere in the house is happier than one who is restricted? Eg, the dog who is allowed into carpeted rooms and onto beds, vs the dog who is restricted to living areas and has their own dog beds.
There was a recent post publically which suggested it was unimaginable that a dog who was a companion animal could be restricted with where they live in the house.
Personally, as an owner of 6 dogs in whats basically a tiny home, I NEED my own dog free spaces. My dogs adventure every single day which brings them a huge amount of joy through sniffing, rolling, running, playing... but it also brings them a whole lot of dirt and sometimes mud. So do I want to bring that into the space where I sleep? Hell to the no.
Does this make my dogs any less of a companion? I personally think it absolutely doesn't.
We forget that our dogs are animals who had strong purposes before we decided to bring them into our homes. Does that mean we can't love them and give them comforts? Absolutely not..
But it does mean that instictually, for most dogs, their quality of life does not come from snuggling on our beds. They are just as content on their own beds, getting attention from us in other scenarios, and actually working with us.
My dogs are allowed onto our lounge if we let them. Thats important to me, as I want to be able to give them affection when we are just chilling, but I absolutely dont want that ball of filth near my furniture if he's just had the adventure of a lifetime picking up all the treasures of the bush.
I feel that the need for dogs to share our furniture and spaces has come from a place of humanising animals.. suggesting they have the same feelings about what we consider comforts.
My point of view is that its each to their own, and theres so many reasons why people may or not allow these things in their home.
But my itch is the argument that it makes your dog less of a companion if you dont allow them on carpeted areas or furniture....
A companion is more than a snuggle buddy at the end of the day. Some could argue that if thats what you consider affection, you need a soft toy.