Episode 257: Am I being anthropomorphic or not

Have you ever talked to your pets as if they were human beings? If you have, you might have been accused of being anthropomorphic. Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics, emotions, and behaviours to non-human entities such as animals, objects, or even natural phenomena.

Recently, Pat asked Glenn if he was being anthropomorphic when he was observing behaviours from his dogs, Remco and Valerie.

While dogs do feel emotions like joy and fear, they might not necessarily express them in the same way as humans. Dogs might wag their tails when they’re happy, but they might also wag their tails when they’re nervous or excited. It’s important to understand and respect the way that animals communicate.

However, that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t talk to our pets or treat them with kindness and respect. Building a strong bond with our pets requires communication and empathy. It’s important to observe and understand their behaviours and needs, and to respond to them appropriately. Whether or not we’re being anthropomorphic, it’s always a good idea to treat our pets like valued members of our family.

Here’s an episode from the archives that you will enjoy. Get comfortable saying no

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