I find it funnier the outrage of those who can’t bear to think of their dog’s love as contingent upon food. “But I need unconditional love from my pet!”
What is a Dog?
11–20 of 47 posts
Re: What is a Dog?
#12I'm not sure I fully agree with the article's takeaway that dogs are only in it for the food. It's a bit of a crude summary. In addition to food, humans provide shelter, protection, love, attention, play time, and companionship - I don't think food is the only driver of the relationship. My dog will hide behind me if he's scared, and enjoys attention from people he doesn't know - irrespective of whether they provide…
I think you're right. They massively over simplified the relationship between humans and dogs imo. Yeah, food is a huge part of it, but dogs even in my limited experience bond on way more levels than just that. Silly premise.
Re: What is a Dog?
#13As a dog owner, I smirked when the author described dogs as only interested in humans because we supply the food. Yeah, that's probably true, but I don't care if my beloved pet only thinks of me as a meal dispenser, it's actually kinda funny. > But when they murmur and pump their legs while sleeping, they’re dreaming of freedom. But ouch. That really hurts.
I wouldn't read too much into that; the life of a wild dog is far more harsh and brutal than one that has a caring owner.
Re: What is a Dog?
#14I'm not sure I fully agree with the article's takeaway that dogs are only in it for the food. It's a bit of a crude summary. In addition to food, humans provide shelter, protection, love, attention, play time, and companionship - I don't think food is the only driver of the relationship. My dog will hide behind me if he's scared, and enjoys attention from people he doesn't know - irrespective of whether they provide…
Any trainer can tell you some breeds just care more about food than others.
My German Shepherd would do anything for a piece of chicken. He would suddenly seem to understand English. My boxer couldn’t care less for treats as a motivator - positive attention was the absolute only way to mold behavior. Having had the GSD first, it took some adjustment for me to learn to train a dog that just didn’t care about food. The breeder later told me that was entirely typical of boxers.
Re: What is a Dog?
#15As a dog owner, I smirked when the author described dogs as only interested in humans because we supply the food. Yeah, that's probably true, but I don't care if my beloved pet only thinks of me as a meal dispenser, it's actually kinda funny. > But when they murmur and pump their legs while sleeping, they’re dreaming of freedom. But ouch. That really hurts.
I wouldn't read too much into that; the life of a wild dog is far more harsh and brutal than one that has a caring owner.
Mine sometimes will also whimper while dreaming, but I guess that's part of the freedom too
Re: What is a Dog?
#16Even cats aren't only in it for the food.
Although they will eat you if you die and they have access to your corpse..
Re: What is a Dog?
#17As a dog owner, I smirked when the author described dogs as only interested in humans because we supply the food. Yeah, that's probably true, but I don't care if my beloved pet only thinks of me as a meal dispenser, it's actually kinda funny. > But when they murmur and pump their legs while sleeping, they’re dreaming of freedom. But ouch. That really hurts.
Don't feel bad, your pet dreams of walks and running exurberantly around the park - dogs have been breed to love their servitude... as have we.
Re: What is a Dog?
#18What is dog, that thou art mindful of him?
Re: What is a Dog?
#19I'm not sure I fully agree with the article's takeaway that dogs are only in it for the food. It's a bit of a crude summary. In addition to food, humans provide shelter, protection, love, attention, play time, and companionship - I don't think food is the only driver of the relationship. My dog will hide behind me if he's scared, and enjoys attention from people he doesn't know - irrespective of whether they provide…
I'm no expert either but my girlfriend works at a vet clinic (and is applying to animal behaviour PhD programs) and my impression from talking to the vets is that most dogs are very food motivated but they are also highly social. If you ignore the social aspects and view them as only food motivated their behaviour doesn't make as much sense (as you pointed out).
Re: What is a Dog?
#20I couldn't even get through two paragraphs of this guys writing style. It reads like he has a word count on a school paper.