Nationally Famous Dog-Beating Moralist Offers Advice On Raising Girls
Bruce Wilson printable version print page     Bookmark and Share
Sun Jul 18, 2010 at 07:33:43 PM EST
Nationally known Focus on the Family founder James Dobson has a new book out with advice on raising girls, Bringing Up Girls. Over the past several decades, Dobson has become a trusted authority on child-rearing for perhaps millions of Americans, and he's also compared child-rearing to canine behavioral management. So let's look at his view on how to treat dogs.

In his 1976 book Dare To Discipline that helped launch his national career (Dobson has recently come out with an updated sequel, The New Dare To Discipline) Mr. Dobson, in a  passage that seemed worthy of opera or a least a Viking ballad, described belt-whipping his miniature-Dachshund:

 

"The ONLY way to make Siggie obey is to threaten him with destruction. Nothing else works. I turned and went to my closet and got a small belt to help me 'reason' with Mr. Freud...

What developed next is impossible to describe. That tiny dog and I had the most vicious fight ever staged between man and beast. I fought him up one wall and down the other, with both of us scratching and clawing and growling and swinging the belt. I am embarrassed by the memory of the entire scene. Inch by inch I moved him toward the family room and his bed. As a final desperate maneuver, Siggie backed into the corner for one last snarling stand. I eventually got him to bed, only because I outweighed him 200 to 12!"

Dobson's exuberant description of thrashing a tiny dog which bucked his will raises the obvious question, would you trust this man alone with your own dog ? And the logical extension to that obvious question is - well, if not, would you trust his advice on how to raise your child ? I doubt Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer, would have kind words for Dobson's approach, to put it mildly.

For additional reading see:

James Dobson and religiously motivated child abuse

Obama-Critic Dobson Based Child Rearing Ideas On Flawed Dog Training Method

Focus On The Family Endorses 'Satanic Role-Playing' Religious Warfare Video Game As Kid-Safe




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Isn't it interesting that once again we see a religious fundamentalist who bases his beliefs on abuse and violence. Makes you wonder what god does he really worship.
Lord Bertrand Russel has an excellent description of this type of worshiper in his essay "A Free Mans Worship." Very enlightening.

by Frank Frey on Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 08:55:13 AM EST
Instead of Theology of Abuse, I think Theology of Obedience is more appropriate.

I've noted that the more focus on obedience a group has, the more abusive they become.  That is what I've observed over the years.

In fact, the steeplejacked Episcopal church we used to attend went from more liberal to conservative during the years we attended, and as they did the message became more and more one of obedience.  As that message grew, the abusive and deleterious treatment we experienced and observed also grew.  (I shudder to think what they're preaching now- and how the poorer and minority members of the congregation are being treated!)

BTW- that essay sounds interesting.  Is there an online version that could be linked to?

by ArchaeoBob on Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 11:33:44 AM EST
Parent

www.philosophicalsociety.com/archive.htm

There is much there to read and consider aside from Bertrand Russel. Take care.

by Frank Frey on Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 04:56:06 PM EST
Parent




And man, those toy Dachshunds are really small, with tiny bones. I can't even imagine what an animal could do that would deserve being struck, much less chased around by a demented, delusional con man. I'm tempted to call BS, 'cause that's like beating a hamster or something. He's likely just trying to prove his bona fides for the authoritarians in the crowd.

by trog69 on Sat Sep 04, 2010 at 08:51:38 PM EST

I don't appreciate this advice from you, and I think you could have done a bit better here. People at all dogs unleashed company will agree with me on this, and they will ask you to change something soon. I hope you do that.


by LayneMarvin on Thu Dec 05, 2019 at 02:48:17 AM EST

Traning a dog is not much easy and I always do my best for my dog. I get the best LED dog harness guide where I get tips regarding as well.

by Neon38 on Thu Dec 26, 2019 at 06:15:12 AM EST


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