|
This is so funny because we've discussed this in my household. There are two of us, my Mom and me. The way Misha interacts with each of us is very different. I agree with you that people mistake attention and affection, or the response to both, for respect. "My dog loves me" isn't quite the same as "my dog sees me as the boss and follows my commands".
Misha takes advantage of my Mom. She manipulates her. She knows that my Mom can be pushed to get what she wants. So, when Misha wants a snack, she goes over to where my Mom is sitting and she shakes. Yes, she shakes! She knows my Mom will feel sorry for her and find her a snack. If she wants to be covered by her blanket, she goes over to her bed, sits down, and looks back at my Mom until she comes over to lift it up. She can do this perfectly fine on her own, but sometimes she wants the humans to do it for her.
She doesn't listen to my Mom. Often, my Mom gives commands multiple times before Misha does it or Misha ignores her. She acts as if she is untrained or doesn't understand English.
With me it is different. There is definitely a level of respect. When I give commands, she does them. When she is barking at the door, she will stop when I command her. If I point and tell her to go to her bed, she does it. Most of the time, she will respond to my look. She does not come running to the kitchen every time I open the pantry door because she knows I will not treat her on her schedule. She knows Grandma will. Perhaps this is why Misha is so fit. It's all the running into the kitchen. LOL
So, I would say that the way they show respect is 1) how well they follow your commands once they've learned them 2) how much they try to push and manipulate you into doing what they want 3) how well they follow boundaries.
| 
