But, of course, no dog is polite or impolite. It is we who attribute these characteristics to them. Dogs are perfectly culturally ignorant. Despite their neat insinuation into our homes, they do not notice or concern themselves with our customs. Perhaps a dog may learn to “not stare” if an owner punishes him each time he does, but not necessarily: the dog may just learn watch out for your owner, she’s coming for you. Politeness is a human concept, and it is at best bizarre to imagine that dogs have it.
