Do you think dogs have personalities like humans?

[doglover07]

I think they do, but one of my friends, who has 3 dogs, said that she was watching the "Dog Whisperer" and they said we shouldn't think that dogs have personalities. She tried to explain to me why but I couldn't understand.

I don't know, but it seems like dogs have personalities just like humans.

I thought training and environment had a lot to do with how dogs act, but then I have a friend who has a dog that is super shy almost to the point of being scared of people. However, my friend has never treated her dog harshly and she's had the dog since she was a puppy. She has another dog that likes to run, jump, and play, so I'm wondering why her other dog is so shy.

Some dogs are just super hyperactive. When I was a kid, we used to have a dachshund that loved to bark at everyone. He was just an intense dog.

An my current dog, Dante, is the first big dog that I've known who is totally mellow. He doesn't fight or bark. He's not hyperactive unless I'm taking him on a walk. And he's really affectionate. He likes to cuddle and just lay and lean on people.

What do you think? Do you see your dog as having a personality?

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Absolutely. Dogs are not programmed in one mode, lol. I have three dogs and they are all so different from each other and we love each one for their specific quirks-well, their personalities!

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

sure dogs have personalities--but we help shape their behavior and personality by the way we train them or don't! I think maybe what Ceasar was saying was not to treat them like humans--ie don't avoid giving them boundaries,etc. for fear of "hurting their feelings". Just like children, dogs need guidance, rules for what is ok and what isn't, and people who will enforce those rules so they learn!

 

[noludoru]

Of course they do--what your friend is saying is crap. They're not just like humans in the sense that they feel guilt/etc, but every animal has their own personality, and it's unique. They all have their own quirks, things they love, and things that just bug them. Different dogs excel at different things, some are perfect for therapy work while others excel at Shutzhund.

 

[Boemy]

Of course they have personalities.

 

[OutlineACDs]

I agree with what everyone here is saying as well. Each dog has its own personality, and even two dogs who are raised the exact same will not turn out exactly the same. Genetics plays a part too. If a dog parents were fearful, then you will have a harder time socializing him because you have to work against his genetic makeup. This is why its so important to get a dog from a breeder who pays attention to such things.

 

[~Jessie~]

They have most definitely have dogalities Since they aren't people, they can't have personalities.

 

[GipsyQueen]

I most certainly do thinks dogs have personalities! Every dog is different from one another, and each one has different quirks. Thats what I love about em!

 

[bubbatd]

All my Goldens had different personalities !

 

[ACooper]

Yep, there are different pesonalities within the same breed even. Just because they share many of the same charactoristics doesn't mean they all think and act the same. Even siblings from the same litter will have totally different personalities........clowns, serious, moody........etc

I have never agreed with Cesars statement "you're not gonna hurt their feelings" because I know you CAN hurt their feelings, I have done it, and I am sure many others have seen it with their own dogs............they just get over it WAY quicker than most humans

 

[M&M's Mommy]

Yep. They certainly do. I have three dogs, love each one of them absolutely equally & treat them all the same, yet they have their own likes & dislikes, their own ways to express how they love me & what they want from me. They are three very unique individuals with unique personalities.

 

[Bob4eva]

Of course dogs have personalities.I had like 10 dogs when i was a kid,and they were all diffrent,for instance,Shelly,our afgan hound,HATED it when people touched her paws she would attack you but no-one had a clue why.

 

[Dekka]

Well Mr Milan might not notice, but I see very stressed dogs on his show. They look like they have their feelings hurt, but its easier to say they don't have them, than to admit what you are doing.

 

[milos_mommy]

surely dogs have personalities. honestly, anything with a brain has a personality. i have two corn snakes whose heads aren't much bigger than dimes, but they couldn't be more different. dogs definately have personalities. this helps them live in a pack environment.

i was actually thinking today how i've lived with three dogs, and while i've loved all of them, i definately "clicked" with two much moreso than the other.

 

[2dogmom]

They most certainly do have personalities. Senor Millan seems to be proud of the fact that he has no training whatsover as a professional (he is "self taught") in terms of animal behavior and this is one of those cases where it shows.

 

[Cassiepeia]

Yup, I agree with everyone...they most certainly DO have personalities. As milos_mommy said "anything with a brain has a personality".
All four dogs I've had in my life were very different.

Amongst the many things CM does wrong, he is worst at communicating with people. He probably just meant to go over the whole "dogs aren't humans" thing (which I don't think any dog person disagrees with), but it came out wrong (or he really is as stupid as everyone thinks LOL).

Cass.