Dog Health Questions: Training dogs = humanizing them?

So yesterday I was at a dog carnival doing an OB(Open level) & Agility performance with Amber & when we were done, we just stood around & talked to people who were surrounding us, asking us questions about how I trained my dog, bla bla bla & some were complimenting us & THEN, there was this couple who walked passed us & the husband said to his wife, "These people are stupid. Humanizing their dogs. Sheesh. Stupid people." They did not say it very loudly but loud enough for me to hear. They were pretty close behind us. I was kinda like baffled to what he said! At that point I wanted to stop them & tell them that training dog is NOT about "humanizing" them. Training opens up a world of communication with us & our dogs! Training is not about making them "humans". And I think by not training your dogs, it is cruel. You know what, I can go on & on about this but my answer is going to pretty darn long.

So I just want to hear what you guys have to say. Is training really all about "humanizing" our dogs?

Sheesh, obviously these people never own a dog before or they do own a dog but have NO idea about training. These guys are in dire need to be educated...

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They think training a dog is humanizing it? Obviously they don't understand dogs... or any pet for that matter. Dogs love to be trained. My dog, Max, would never be happy if he couldn't learn. Learning is what he tries hard at. If he was being "humanized" he probably wouldn't like it because it wouldn't be natural for a dog to be doing it. You'd be changing his ways and instincts. Well, a dog's ways are what his human TRAINS his ways to be.

An untrained dog would be unhappy, I believe. I am under the impression that by training a dog, you make a stronger bond. If you let your dog do whatever he wants, whatever he pleases, whatever whatsoever, I'm sure he'd be unhappy (mostly because he'd have a very limp bond with his owner). He wouldn't be stabilized or balanced. He wouldn't know what to do.

Sorry if I went off topic. I love dogs and am still learning more and more about them. ;) But I definitely think that training a dog makes him happier and it's not humanizing him.

The Importance of Dog Training

• I'll just keep my answer short.
  
  Not sure whether I would of stood there with my mouth wide open at that,
  
  Launched into some sort of verbal lecture which would of lasted some while
  
  or
  
  Given them a whack and called them a few choice names.
  
  lol. I'm with you TOTALLY and there is nothing better for our dogs than obedience and agility and working of some sort. Mine do obedience, and heelwork to music - and the odd one agility depending on size/suitability.


• Bullies are just cowards that are jealous of you. It does beg to ask what they went to the dog event in the first place. I will concede to you I have an extensive training program for my dogs, however, there is nothing better than a well trained dog. The more I know people, the more I love my dogs. Hurting people, hurt people.


• Hi from France ♫
  
  Normally, training dog is about canalizing their instincts ...
  
  Have a nice day,
  
  Cat.


• "humanizing them???"
  
  hmmm next thing you know, they'll be sitting at the dinner table, speaking english?
  
  that doesn't even make SENSE, let alone be correct.
  
  dogs ( real ones, not lapdogs) were bred to work. most of those jobs are now defunct, thanks to modern stuff. so what's the best way to show off their skills? TRAINING! AGILITY! SPORTS!
  
  i believe i would have responded with something to the effect of
  "we're not humanizing, we're replacing hunting with a more humane activity. would you rather i kill ducks to show you my dog's ability?"


• If only you could humanize a dog, I'd love my dog to clean up after himself...lol now that is humanizing a dog.
  
  I don't see how they think training humanizes a dog, even with the best training, it still doesn't teach a dog how to do human things. Training is required to have a stable, well mannered dog, and that is just basic training, even with the advanced like agility and what not, still see nothing human like there.
  My guess is they're kind of like tree hugging hippies, wanting to let nature do its thing and let natures creatures do what they do naturally. Thats what it sounds like to me


• In that context it seems they were talking more about socialisation than 'humanising'. Some people view dogs in the way most livestock is viewed - with cold uninvolvement, and believe dogs are best left to be 'just dogs'. I know about training too, love training my dog and I know that my training him makes it easier for him to live in my world, in my house, it adds intrest to his life much as environmental inrichment adds interest to the lives of zoo animals. Without the training I wouldn't have him at all, or I'd have him in a pen and outside, but what is the point of that? To just say, "I have a dog." to just have something to waste money on?.... it'd be a p@$$ poor hobby at least.
  
  Why would someone like that even bother being at such an event?


• Don't you just hate hearing ignorant folks spout off about something they clearly don't understand!? You are, of course, correct. Training has nothing to do with humanizing and everything to do with being a responsible dog owner who cares enough about their pet's well being to put in a real effort.
  
  Training is our way of bridging the communication gap between humans and our domesticated pals. It relies on us learning how to respond to their most natural instincts. It also serves to keep a dog mentally stimulated, well-socialized and content.
  
  If anything, I tend to think of untrained dogs as more "humanized." Some people prefer to treat their dogs like human babies, spoiling them and even allowing them to act aggressively to other people and animals rather than learning what's best and healthiest for their dog and how they can achieve that.
  
  Besides, training is really more about teaching us than teaching the dogs. Dogs already know how to be awesome--we just need to learn how to bring that out in our companions.


• That's so annoying! Dogs aren't humans and im pretty sure that trainers understand that more than anyone. I mean if they were human you wouldn't train them to specific hand gestures/ words.
  
  I think that dogs are pets. And the reason why we care so much for them is that they sit and listen to us, without interrupting or talking back. They make the worst day tolerable. how can you be mad/sad/depressed looking at big puppy eyes.
  
  I loove dogs whether or not we are humanizing them or not. Most dogs have better souls than humans.