A Dose of Perspective: Rethinking Our Expectations of Dogs
In this photo you see two species, a human and a dog. The human has approximately 15 billion neurons in their brain while the canine has approximately 500 million. This is a comparison of the two species and the silly expectations people place on dogs: 1) Human - Given two plus years to accomplish potty training. 1) Canine - Human wants canine potty trained in two weeks or they will have to rehome the dog....Please take the diaper off your eight month old human and let them crawl around your floor, lets just see the results.... 2) Human - Gives human babies pain relievers and various numbing agents to help appease the pain of teething. 2) Canine - Demands Dog Trainer tells them how to reprimand their dog for chewing. 3) Human - Encourages young humans to run and play with endless forms of mental and physical stimulation. 3) Canine - âI have got to teach this dog to calm down!!!â 4) Human - Given 20 plus years to complete an education and become a productive member of society. 4) Canine - Expected to behave flawlessly after 3 weeks of training. 5) Human - Given sick and personal days from work and endless excuses for poor performance. 5) Canine - Expects to perform perfectly 365 days a year with no questions asked. Canines are also not allowed to feel bad or forget. This image is more than just a moment shared between a human and a dogâit is a reminder of the empathy, patience, and understanding our canine companions deserve. Despite the vast neurological and developmental differences between our species, we often impose human expectations on dogs without allowing for their natural growth, learning curves, and emotional needs. Let this serve as a gentle call for grace: to meet dogs where they are, to teach with compassion rather than demand perfection, and to remember that just like us, they are living beings navigating a complex world the best they can.