Annotated Bibliography
The sources I utilized for my essays revolve around the scientific studies and articles regarding the topic of canine cognition and cognitive ethology as well as the history of the domestication of the dog. In my HCP, the sources I cited aided my argument in showing that the domestic dog is capable of experiencing both primary and secondary emotions and that human-influenced domestication has led to a deeper human-canine relationship; from the canine umwelt, this human-canine relationship is beneficial and they look to humans for the fulfillment of both their primary and secondary emotions. As such, I argue that humans have a moral responsibility to ethically breed dogs. In my AP, I define the problem by emphasizing the scientifically proven emotional and physical toll puppy mills have on dogs, and I utilize resources from the Humane Society of the United States to offer solutions to ending puppy mills.
HCP
Horowitz, Alexandra, and Julie Hecht. "Looking at Dogs: Moving from Anthropocentrism to Canid Umwelt." Domestic Dog
Cognition and Behavior: The Scientific Study of Canis Familiaris. 201-19. Springer. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. <http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-53994-7_9/fulltext.html>.
This research details the human tendency to anthropomorphize dogs and the effects it has on our attitudes toward dogs as well as the consequences it has on the study of canine cognition and their emotional capacity. Written by Dr. Alexandra Horowitz, a professor of psychology who studies animal cognition, and Dr. Julie Hecht, who researches canine cognition, this study examines whether dogs truly can feel secondary emotions such as guilt and jealousy, which are believed to be rudimentary demonstrations of morality, a highly developed cognitive ability. Their research found that the "guilt" humans observed in dogs were simple anthropomorphisms and further dismiss the idea that canines are capable of jealousy -- the dogs in their study only demonstrated reactions based on an attempt to secure resources. This study calls for canine studies to move away from anthropomorphisms and to focus on canine "umwelt," or their subjective self-world, for studies on canine cognitive abilities.
Irvine, Leslie. "How and Why." If You Tame Me Understanding Our Connection with Animals. Philadelphia: Temple UP, 2004.
12-32. Print.
This chapter describes how dogs have been domesticated as well as the consequences of human interference through the domestication process. Leslie Irvine, a professor of sociology and researcher of human-animal interactions, details the different theories for the reason behind domesticating dogs, such as for their hunting abilities, mutual scavenging, or simply because they were the easiest to bond with. This chapter also provides the various theories discussed among researches for why humans want pets, which would be beneficial to lead up to my advocacy essay on puppy mills as well as contribute to the scholarly discussion in my HCP.
Udell, Monique A.R., Kathryn Lord, Erica N. Feuerbacher, and Clive D.L. Wynne. "A Dog’s-Eye View of Canine Cognition."
Domestic Dog Cognition and Behavior: The Scientific Study of Canis Familiaris. 221-40. Springer. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. <http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-53994-7_10/fulltext.html>.
This study argues that the human-canine relationship we share with our pets is more of survival than it is of companionship for domestic dogs. According to this study, which compares "owned" dogs to "not-owned" dogs, domestic dogs have been classically conditioned into maintaining a relationship with us for food or stress-relief through such activities like petting; in other words, the domestication of dogs is a result of natural selection. This study examines canine cognition, concluding that dogs have been conditioned into being more social for the purpose of bonding with humans for optimal survival, something that is seen when wolves learn to interact with humans through conditioning.
AP
Galibert, Francis, Pascale Quignon, Christophe Hitte, and Catherine Andre. "Toward Understanding Dog Evolutionary and
Domestication History." Comptes Rendus Biologies March 2011 334.3 (2011): 190-96. Sciencedirect. Web. 17 Apr. 2015. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1631069110003008>.
Galibert et al. emphasizes that there are a limited amount of alleles that are bred in the gene pool, which results in dogs that are genetically compromised. The demand for purebred dogs perpetuates the constant breeding for these genetically compromised animals.
Petrinovich, Lewis. "Animal Liberation and Speciesism." Darwinian Domination: Animal Welfare and Human Interests.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1999. 209-38. Print.
Petrinovich, a professor of psychology emeritus at UC Riverside, argues that humans have a right to use non-human animals due to their unique and superior qualities. In this chapter, he provides counter arguments for Richard Ryder's idea of speciesism and Peter Singer's argument for animal equality. He paints a black and white image of human interests vs. animal interests, arguing that human interests, per their higher cognitive capacity, trump the interests of animals. Petrinovich emphasizes the differences that distinguish human animals as the domainant species, arguing that by ignoring these qualities, people are ignoring a simple biological fact.
Rudy, Kathy. "The Love of a Dog." Loving Animals: Toward a New Animal Advocacy. Minneapolis: U of Minnesota, 2011. 29-71.
Print.
In this chapter, Rudy, a professor at Duke University who focuses part of her studies to animals and ethics, argues that dogs are not simply property that can be bred again and again without disregard for their emotional health; they are not objects for humans to exploit given that they have the capacity to feel and to think. Rudy emphasizes that the main problem with the abuse of dogs is that they are treated like commodities, lessening their value in terms of morals, and opening up the opportunity to abuse and exploit them for monetary gains.
AP Solutions
"Puppy Mills: Facts and Figures." Humane Society of the United States. Jan. 2015. Web. 19 May 2015.
<http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/pets/puppy_mills/puppy-mills-facts-and-figures.pdf>.
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), a nonprofit organization who focuses on ending puppy mills among other animal advocacy topics, provides statistics and information regarding the numbers invovled in puppy mills, such as how many dogs are victims of these businesses, the estimated costs to the public, as well as the consequences of puppy mills.
"Puppy Mills: Frequently Asked Questions." The Humane Society of the United States. Web. 29 May 2015.
<http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/puppy_mills/qa/puppy_mill_FAQs.html >.
In this page, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) answers frequently asked questions regarding puppy mills to raise awareness and advocate against puppy mills; they suggest such things like peacefully demonstrating, pushing for legislation and contacting state representatives regarding this issue, raising awareness through activism, as well as advocating against purchasing dogs from pet stores, the Internet, or newspapers. Similarly, they call for the community to share news of local pet stores who get their dogs from puppy mills and to refer potential dog owners to responsible breeders known within the community.