I’m not, of course, talking about people organising dogfights - which is barbaric and against the law in most civilised countries.
What I’m talking about is the need people often have when they get a dog, to order it about, “command” it, make it do things, stop it doing things, control it, in general have a master-slave relationship.
Do they get a dog because they need someone to boss about?
Thing is, this is a-a-a-a-ll conflict.
Conflict-based.
This is what leads them to complain that their dog is “stubborn”, “defiant”, “ignores me”.
The way some people want to be with their dogs is centred on conflict.
And it’s a mystery to me!
Love
The great dog trainer and trailblazer in how we treat our performance dogs is Susan Garrett.
And she saith:
Dog training is really relationship building
This is what it’s all about, guys!
It’s not about making your dog do something, or stopping it doing something.
It’s about developing a relationship with your dog, living a full and enjoyable life with another creature. From another species, sure - but a sentient being who can work things out, solve problems, seek pleasure, who has fears, likes and dislikes, JUST LIKE US!
Remember Shylock’s impassioned speech in The Merchant of Venice?
“If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?”
He was talking about being a Jew. He could have been speaking as a dog, or any other animal!
Frustration
If you’re frustrated with your dog on a daily basis, I suggest that it’s because you are looking for Confrontation and Conflict on a daily basis.
It’s an “I’m right, so you must be wrong” approach. Whereas anyone who has ever lived happily with another person knows that it’s Compromise and Compassion that win the day.
