a.k.a. Fuzzy practice kids.
They are cute, cuddle, drooly, chew on everything, and poop anywhere they choose. That's right, we are talking about babies again.
But what better way to prepare for the keeping of a child then with a dog? Let us take a look at the basics. They require feeding. You need to bathe them from time to time. And, if your dog poops, you clean it up. If your dog vomits, you leave it and it will eventually lick it up. Try this with a baby and you will be smacked on the head with a newspaper and get your face rubbed in the leftovers. So, you might as well clean it up too.
Dogs are so much like kids it isn't even funny. Actually, it is pretty funny. Give a dog a chance and it will make a mess all over your house. Same with a kid. Put more than one together and you will eventually have to break up a fight or two. They both have the same "Look at me! Look at me!" attitude. And neither of them will hesitate to eat your sandwich as soon as you are not looking.
But what better way to prepare for the keeping of a child then with a dog? Let us take a look at the basics. They require feeding. You need to bathe them from time to time. And, if your dog poops, you clean it up. If your dog vomits, you leave it and it will eventually lick it up. Try this with a baby and you will be smacked on the head with a newspaper and get your face rubbed in the leftovers. So, you might as well clean it up too.
Dogs are so much like kids it isn't even funny. Actually, it is pretty funny. Give a dog a chance and it will make a mess all over your house. Same with a kid. Put more than one together and you will eventually have to break up a fight or two. They both have the same "Look at me! Look at me!" attitude. And neither of them will hesitate to eat your sandwich as soon as you are not looking.
Like kids, you have a responsibility to teach dogs certain things. One lesson is manners. No one likes to visit your home and have a kid constantly jump up on them. They are slightly less tolerant of dogs doing the same. So you have to teach them to behave. This is usually met with some resistance but you must remain firm and squirt them with a water bottle. This works on dogs too.
They also need some sort of moral base. Without knowing right from wrong, they will never learn to properly interact with others. Don't be afraid to use the word no. For example, when they get too friendly, in a firm voice, say "No!". By teaching them when and when not to sniff someone's butt, you establish that other people have a personal bubble and may become aggressive when it is invaded. This works on kids too. You are also teaching them social skills they will use for the rest of their lives. This is good because you don't want to be the family that chains their kid to a tree in the back yard.
On a slightly more serious note, dogs need snuggles just like kids. Any time you take a moment to rest, poof! Your kid/dog magically appears right next to you. When they get scared, both will quickly find you for comfort. This is also the case when they are sick. This is what scientists are discovering to be the most common similarity between dogs and children.
They both develop what is called the "secure base effect". This is the idea that when an infant or dog interacts with the environment, they use their caregiver as a secure base.
A group of dogs were tested in three different scenarios. Their owner was either absent, silent, or encouraging while the dog was given the chance to earn food.The dogs were more eager to complete tasks when their owner was in the room rather than absent. It did not make much difference if the owner spoke or not.
The same effect has been found in children. When the child was confronted with a problem solving task, they were more motivated and persistent when they had their mother as a secure base.
So, when people refer to their dogs as kids and you look at them like they are idiots, guess what, someone has a little science backing up their claim. Before we learned about Hubigail, we had pretty much decided to raise dogs instead of kids. No, they are not exactly the same. But, if you have never felt that way about a dog, you have never given the dog a chance to be part of your family. And, if you ever tell someone that their dogs are in no way equal to a child, you really are heartless. For some people, it is a choice. For others, it is their only option and you should respect that. Besides, some people raise their dogs better than others raise kids. For example:
They both develop what is called the "secure base effect". This is the idea that when an infant or dog interacts with the environment, they use their caregiver as a secure base.
A group of dogs were tested in three different scenarios. Their owner was either absent, silent, or encouraging while the dog was given the chance to earn food.The dogs were more eager to complete tasks when their owner was in the room rather than absent. It did not make much difference if the owner spoke or not.
The same effect has been found in children. When the child was confronted with a problem solving task, they were more motivated and persistent when they had their mother as a secure base.
So, when people refer to their dogs as kids and you look at them like they are idiots, guess what, someone has a little science backing up their claim. Before we learned about Hubigail, we had pretty much decided to raise dogs instead of kids. No, they are not exactly the same. But, if you have never felt that way about a dog, you have never given the dog a chance to be part of your family. And, if you ever tell someone that their dogs are in no way equal to a child, you really are heartless. For some people, it is a choice. For others, it is their only option and you should respect that. Besides, some people raise their dogs better than others raise kids. For example:
Learning to love a small fuzzy creatures is a wonderful thing. There are so many things they can teach you and so many rewards for taking the time. After raising some very large personalities trapped in slobbery little fuzzy bodies, I can only imagine what it will be like to raise a very large personality trapped in a slobbery little not so fuzzy body. I can only hope that Hubigail turns out to be the human equivalent of this awesomeness.
If nothing else, raising a dog is excellent training for impressing, loving, and humiliating your kid. Those two go hand in hand. The first obvious item is taking cool pictures. These will come in handy later in life. Mainly when they start dating. But, let's not talk about that just yet. Change the subject.
Here is where you get to look super smart and ultra cool. Learn a few magic tricks. If you are no good at them, don't worry. It doesn't take much to fool a kid or a dog. But if you can pull off the stupidest trick, they will look at you like you are some sort of god. And in some sick twisted way, that is awesome (just like my wife. She is awesome).
Showing your love for someone usually involves cuddling. No one is going to help you learn this better than a dog. They are very easily calmed by they slightest touch. From what I can tell, Hubigail is going to get the best tummy rubs and ear scratchin's any kid could ever hope for.
But enough of that mushy stuff, let's get back to more humiliation. Here is the best of them all. Until they get old enough or smart enough to resist, you get to dress them in any costume you choose. Kids are a cinch when it comes to that. But, dogs add that extra little something that rounds out the family theme like no kid can.
Here is where you get to look super smart and ultra cool. Learn a few magic tricks. If you are no good at them, don't worry. It doesn't take much to fool a kid or a dog. But if you can pull off the stupidest trick, they will look at you like you are some sort of god. And in some sick twisted way, that is awesome (just like my wife. She is awesome).
Showing your love for someone usually involves cuddling. No one is going to help you learn this better than a dog. They are very easily calmed by they slightest touch. From what I can tell, Hubigail is going to get the best tummy rubs and ear scratchin's any kid could ever hope for.
But enough of that mushy stuff, let's get back to more humiliation. Here is the best of them all. Until they get old enough or smart enough to resist, you get to dress them in any costume you choose. Kids are a cinch when it comes to that. But, dogs add that extra little something that rounds out the family theme like no kid can.
What more can you ask for?