The dog is for civilized man what the totem animal was for the primitive, a protector against the fear of death, which is first experienced as separation anxiety. Since separation anxiety gives rise to an increase in the cannibalistic drives the dog is also in that sense a protector. The similarity of the psychic apparatus of dog and man facilitates the maintenance of equilibrium by identification and projection. The dog is also of service, especially to women, in sublimating pre-oedipal (and oedipal) drives. Thus the dog is an important aid in sublimating unconscious forces incompatible with civilization.