If you have to ask if you are over-using the dogs, you probably are. The way I use dogs, for general firewood cutting, is to pivot the saw in the cut for better control, such as when felling. They should never be used to force a saw to cut or in an attempt to cut faster. Imagine, if you will, that the anti-vibration springs/buffers are like the springs on a pickup. Just like on a pickup, you don't want to load the springs/buffers so much that you are against the stops. When bucking with a saw of this size, the lift provided by one finger in the rear handle is all that should be needed.
Dogs should be viewed (and used) more as a tool of finesse, not force.
With that being said, along with the question regarding condition of the chain, there are two issues I have not yet seen addressed:
First being that you state the oiler is maxed out. What I haven't seen stated is if oil was actually being pumped, and if so, if it is getting to the chain. Looking at the photos, the chain appears dry. Is oil being flung off the bar tip? How often did the chain need to be tightened?
Second being that it could be a defective bar. Where paint is missing, the heat treat line is visible, and that line seems to be very narrow and uneven. Could just be the photos playing tricks with my eyes, though.