The words "calm, submissive" have become common a common phrase in the dog world (coined, I believe, by Cesar Milan) to describe a dog that is balanced and happy to be obedient to its calm, assertive, and kind handler. So, why do I preach leadership over our dogs when there are so many trainers out there who avoid anything related to a hierarchy?
#1 - Because we know more about navigating our world than the dogs we like to bring into it. When I go into a new dog pack, I look to my dog for information on what is going on and how I should behave, because she is the fluent one there. When I bring my dog into a group of humans, I expect her to look to me for information on how she should behave. It is that simple. This is a human society with human inventions and human behaviors, my dog does not know important safety information that I do, and her life depends on her ability to pay attention to me.
#2 - We know we are doing the right thing if they are CALM submissive. All unethical behaviors that a human might do towards a dog are behaviors that might create submission but wont create calm. All anxiety, unease, fear, anger, or other unpleasant emotion that we might experience will create a negative change in them. I see submission without calm often in situations where I feel the training methods are overly strict or even abusive, and this is no fun either. A cringing, shaking, or cowering dog is not calm submissive, its anxious or fearful submissive. I want a happy dog. A happy dog is calm and balanced, and is not listening to me out of fear of retribution but out of trust and simple enjoyment of my company. Leadership does not beat submission into its followers, it creates an environment where following is comfortable.
#3 - It works. I have yet to meet a dog that was "calm submissive" and also destroyed its owners home, barked all the time, bit people, or otherwise brought chaos and destruction.
#4 - I believe in God. of what relevance is this? It is relevant because I believe that, in comparison to my limited view of the world, He knows and sees a thousand fold more than what I can. My dog, in comparison to me in our society, sees and knows a limited portion of what I do. I strive to keep calm because I demonstrate faith in my God's ability to plan and keep me where I am supposed to be if I stay calm. If I panic, I believe that I am doubting God's control of the situation or the preparation that he has given me to handle the moment. I also strive to be submissive to him, because I am aware that I know nothing in comparison to his omniscience. Do I behave perfectly? certainly not. I do, however, know that being calm and submissive to my God is the best way for me to have peace. This is why I want my dogs to be calm and submissive. Because if they are calm I know I have earned their trust, and if they are submissive I know that they have peace in my ability to meet their needs and keep them safe. Interesting to contemplate, no?
#1 - Because we know more about navigating our world than the dogs we like to bring into it. When I go into a new dog pack, I look to my dog for information on what is going on and how I should behave, because she is the fluent one there. When I bring my dog into a group of humans, I expect her to look to me for information on how she should behave. It is that simple. This is a human society with human inventions and human behaviors, my dog does not know important safety information that I do, and her life depends on her ability to pay attention to me.
#2 - We know we are doing the right thing if they are CALM submissive. All unethical behaviors that a human might do towards a dog are behaviors that might create submission but wont create calm. All anxiety, unease, fear, anger, or other unpleasant emotion that we might experience will create a negative change in them. I see submission without calm often in situations where I feel the training methods are overly strict or even abusive, and this is no fun either. A cringing, shaking, or cowering dog is not calm submissive, its anxious or fearful submissive. I want a happy dog. A happy dog is calm and balanced, and is not listening to me out of fear of retribution but out of trust and simple enjoyment of my company. Leadership does not beat submission into its followers, it creates an environment where following is comfortable.
#3 - It works. I have yet to meet a dog that was "calm submissive" and also destroyed its owners home, barked all the time, bit people, or otherwise brought chaos and destruction.
#4 - I believe in God. of what relevance is this? It is relevant because I believe that, in comparison to my limited view of the world, He knows and sees a thousand fold more than what I can. My dog, in comparison to me in our society, sees and knows a limited portion of what I do. I strive to keep calm because I demonstrate faith in my God's ability to plan and keep me where I am supposed to be if I stay calm. If I panic, I believe that I am doubting God's control of the situation or the preparation that he has given me to handle the moment. I also strive to be submissive to him, because I am aware that I know nothing in comparison to his omniscience. Do I behave perfectly? certainly not. I do, however, know that being calm and submissive to my God is the best way for me to have peace. This is why I want my dogs to be calm and submissive. Because if they are calm I know I have earned their trust, and if they are submissive I know that they have peace in my ability to meet their needs and keep them safe. Interesting to contemplate, no?
