Is personal 'a' correct here

[BobRitter]

LearnWithOliver.com daily phrase has:

A los perros les encanta jugar.
Dogs love to play.

Since "Dogs" here refer to dogs in general not a pet is the "A" appropriate.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

The preposition "a" is appropriate here, because this is not a "personal a", but an indirect object, Bob.

In the sentence, the subject is "jugar", while the indirect object is "los perros".

A los perros les encanta jugar.

The verb "encantar" is just like "gustar". Although we tend to focus on the importance of the person or animal for whom a thing or an action is interesting, the actual subject is the thing.

Our fellow forum member, Poli, has a great tip: Treat the sentences with the verb "gustar/encantar/fascinar" as if they were like "this thing pleases me". In your sentence, "playing pleases the dogs".

This is a very difficult subject, Bob. Here are some links you might find useful to more conversations and examples about this topic, here, here, and here. If you need clarification or more explanations let me know.

[poli]

In addition to what Angelica writes and for your information dogs and other creatures that are dear to us, can be given the personal a just like humans.

Example:¿Diste al perro su comida?

[Rusty]

@poli
While it's true that we may choose to personify a pet, and use a personal 'a' to introduce a personified direct object, the dog in your sentence is the indirect object, introduced with the preposition 'a'.

Here is an example where a dog is the direct object, and personified.
Vi al perro, Gazpacho.

Here, the direct object is a dog that is not personified.
Vi el perro.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

I agree with Rusty. Some examples of "personal a" may be:

- ¿No oyes ladrar a los perros?
- Llevé a mi gato al veterinario.
- Nunca hay que cargar al conejo por las orejas.
- Durante todo mi gobierno trabajamos en impulsar al país hacia adelante.

[BobRitter]

Es complicado pero creo que entiendo.
Mas y mas me encanta la gramatica, me hace pensar y mantiene mi mente joven. Por lo menos espero que así!
Gracias.