Comments on: How to play tug of war with your dog – and have the happiest dog on the block. http://www.neilsattin.com/blog/2007/07/how-to-play-tug-of-war-with-your-dog-and-have-the-happiest-dog-on-the-block/ Getting to the Heart of Personal Development Thu, 08 Jul 2010 21:04:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: neil http://www.neilsattin.com/blog/2007/07/how-to-play-tug-of-war-with-your-dog-and-have-the-happiest-dog-on-the-block/comment-page-1/#comment-2222 neil Tue, 24 Jul 2007 03:29:01 +0000 http://www.neilsattin.com/blog/2007/07/how-to-play-tug-of-war-with-your-dog-and-have-the-happiest-dog-on-the-block/#comment-2222 That IS a great article. I remember reading it back when I was doing my due diligence and tracking down other references to Kevin's work on the web. The only thing I'm not so sure about is the reference to the "desire to please" - which I don't think is a fundamental canine instinct. It implies a more psychological approach to dog behavior (my dog knows what I want intellectually, thinks about it, and responds), as opposed to what seems much more likely to me, which is that the dog does what FEELS right (after so much instruction/training). There's hardly time to think when you're managing a herd of sheep, and it's at the level of feeling that the quick pre-thought responses (right or "wrong") are generated. I love Manfred's attitude, though. Sounds like someone who doesn't have anything to prove. Thanks for the heads-up. And an important disclaimer: I've never trained a dog to work with sheep. There aren't many sheep here in Portland. When I finally move to the farm, though...look out! That IS a great article. I remember reading it back when I was doing my due diligence and tracking down other references to Kevin’s work on the web.

The only thing I’m not so sure about is the reference to the “desire to please” – which I don’t think is a fundamental canine instinct. It implies a more psychological approach to dog behavior (my dog knows what I want intellectually, thinks about it, and responds), as opposed to what seems much more likely to me, which is that the dog does what FEELS right (after so much instruction/training). There’s hardly time to think when you’re managing a herd of sheep, and it’s at the level of feeling that the quick pre-thought responses (right or “wrong”) are generated. I love Manfred’s attitude, though. Sounds like someone who doesn’t have anything to prove.

Thanks for the heads-up. And an important disclaimer: I’ve never trained a dog to work with sheep. There aren’t many sheep here in Portland. When I finally move to the farm, though…look out!

]]> By: Angelique http://www.neilsattin.com/blog/2007/07/how-to-play-tug-of-war-with-your-dog-and-have-the-happiest-dog-on-the-block/comment-page-1/#comment-2219 Angelique Mon, 23 Jul 2007 01:13:53 +0000 http://www.neilsattin.com/blog/2007/07/how-to-play-tug-of-war-with-your-dog-and-have-the-happiest-dog-on-the-block/#comment-2219 Neil, This is an article I enjoy reading regarding instinct: http://www.german-shepherdherding.com/herding.htm Neil, This is an article I enjoy reading regarding instinct:

http://www.german-shepherdherding.com/herding.htm

]]>