A client once described to me how her MaltiPoo, whom we’ll call Fidget, looked her square in the eye as she squatted proudly in the middle of her favorite furry rug, peed, and then gleefully gave chase.  Fidget was being spiteful, said my client ruefully.  How could she be so stubborn and recalcitrant? My client committed the cardinal sin of anthropomorphism, the granting of human thoughts and motivations to non-human beings.

Today’s pup culture surrounding dog behavior is steeped in myths that are doing anything but promoting greater understanding between our two species.  Instead, we distrust and demonize the motivations of our dogs as they jump on us, pull us down the street, rush through the door ahead of us, and curl up comfortably on the couch.  It’s time to demystify the myths so that we can reestablish trust with our furry friends.