In this episode, Caroline and Linda ask listeners to join them in considering a challenging question for dog lovers everywhere:
Should we own dogs?
The question has arisen because of a Guardian piece published on 4 February. In this challenging article, environmental historian Troy Vettese argues that if we are truly to have empathy for animals, we should think seriously about having pets. Humans, claims Vettese, have chosen to dominate animals for our own benefit, despite at times the cost to the animals themselves.
Caroline counters this argument when we consider dogs specifically, because a look at the history of the human-canine relationship suggests we have chosen one another, and that both species benefit from the relationship. She and Linda agree that, given the world we live in now, simply ‘letting our dogs go free’ is neither practical nor kind.
Rather, they conclude, it’s the way we treat our dogs that’s key.
We need to consider their natural behaviours and offer them the opportunity to express those behaviours when safe to do so, and - as Vettese also argue - to see them as autonomous beings with their own lives and desires that should, whenever possible, be respected. Caroline and Linda also stress the importance of encouraging the ethical breeding of dogs; and Linda has now decided that going forward, she will choose to adopt rescue dogs.
Listeners are encouraged to discuss this podcast with their loved ones, and to let Caroline and Linda know their thoughts on this important and challenging question. Connect via: https://www.instagram.com/supportingbothendsofthelead
What's inside this episode?
00:00 Introduction: Is it ethical to have pets?
02:26 Overview of the history of human-canine relationship.
03:27 The parallels between parenting children and parenting our dogs.
04:30 Why the answer isn’t a simple one.
05:09 A paraphrase of this question, taking into account the need to offer the best quality of life to our dogs.
06:14 The day this podcast is recorded is National Puppy Day, spotlighting the need to fight for the rights of puppies and breed bitches.
08:22 A choice of terms to describe people who own dogs.
09:40 Similarities in aims for parents of humans and of dogs.
10:10 Authoritative parenting defined.
10:48 The need to give dogs an outlet for natural breed specific behaviours.
12:12 Widening the possibilities when it comes to keeping pets.
13:55 Pet acquisition during the pandemic, and the consequences.
14:40 Our responsibilities if we take a dog into our lives.
16:30 The importance of positive parenting.
17:25 The perils of using punishment to try to change behaviour.
19:12 Caroline’s 'Just One Thing'.
19:36 'Linda’s Just One Thing'.
20:19 Call for listeners’ opinions on this important issue.
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Caroline Wilkinson is a Certified Animal Behaviourist. She is a Full (assessed) Member of the APDT and INTODogs – as well as a Registered Training Instructor (ABTC). Caroline is also a Certified Real Dog Yoga Practitioner and an Applied Canine Zoopharmacognosist. Caroline writes for Pets Radar, as well as a number of trusted pet brands. She also speaks around the country – presenting workshops and webinars with a focus on living more mindfully alongside our canine companions.
Dr. Linda Blair is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, Chartered Scientist, Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and registered as a Practitioner Psychologist in the Health and Care Professions Council. She trained at Harvard and the Institute of Psychiatry in London, and has offered cognitive behavioural and mindfulness-based psychotherapy for over 40 years in the NHS and privately. She has also taught various aspects of psychology at the University of Cambridge and the Open University.