We always try to train in a way that will help develop and encourage what is known in the service dog world as "intelligent disobedience." We do this both with our service dog clients and our general obedience clients. We never want to train in a way that's going to shut the dog down to the point of losing such invaluable skills like problem solving, free thinking, autonomy, and being able to make correct decisions on their own, without relying on their owner or handler telling them what to do. Sure, having a perfectly obedient dog that does exactly what you tell it to do the moment you tell it to do something might look really cool, but at what cost?
The following is a hard, solid truth bomb from Milestone Equestrian, based out of Canada, that I had to share!
I tweaked the original post description here to replace where it said "horse" with "dog;"
The following is a hard, solid truth bomb from Milestone Equestrian, based out of Canada, that I had to share!
I tweaked the original post description here to replace where it said "horse" with "dog;"
"Disobedience is a sign of intelligence.
An animal who will blindly obey you, no matter the circumstance, and never choose to advocate for themselves, is not an animal displaying intelligence.
They are displaying their ability to learn and follow instructions but if that always comes above their own innate needs, bodily discomfort and overall welfare, they are not making the more intelligent decision.
The act of saying no, while being aware of risk of punishment for it, is an act of self advocacy and is a sign of intelligence.
Having a mind of their own rather than becoming a vessel for their trainer to control is your animal showing you intelligence.
As trainers, we put way too much emphasis on obedience at any cost and this has resulted in a lot of normalized shutdown in (dogs).
It’s resulted in us applauding trainers for having robotically obedient (dogs) who do their every bidding without question. Never having an opinion of their own.
If we want blind obedience without any regard for emotional, physical or mental well-being, I think what we are looking for is a (robot), not a (dog)."
The original post on their Facebook page can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=751322349682806&set=a.590441212437588
An animal who will blindly obey you, no matter the circumstance, and never choose to advocate for themselves, is not an animal displaying intelligence.
They are displaying their ability to learn and follow instructions but if that always comes above their own innate needs, bodily discomfort and overall welfare, they are not making the more intelligent decision.
The act of saying no, while being aware of risk of punishment for it, is an act of self advocacy and is a sign of intelligence.
Having a mind of their own rather than becoming a vessel for their trainer to control is your animal showing you intelligence.
As trainers, we put way too much emphasis on obedience at any cost and this has resulted in a lot of normalized shutdown in (dogs).
It’s resulted in us applauding trainers for having robotically obedient (dogs) who do their every bidding without question. Never having an opinion of their own.
If we want blind obedience without any regard for emotional, physical or mental well-being, I think what we are looking for is a (robot), not a (dog)."
The original post on their Facebook page can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=751322349682806&set=a.590441212437588
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