Obedience....Is it that important?

Being 'good' can sometimes be oppressive.

The concept of what is good and what is bad is generally subjective.

This might seem a little philosophical or conceptual, and a bit sociological, but if you actually think about the labels we place on what's good and bad and how we come to these conclusions, it might give you some feelings that are unsettling. You might have always been told to be a 'good girl or boy’, or maybe there were, or are, situations where you were uncomfortable but felt like if you didn't bite your tongue or go along with something then you were no longer being 'good' you were seen as being ‘bad’ and that, according to others, was not ok.

Compliance is generally associated with being 'good' but is it always good for the one who complies?

There are many obedient dogs, champions of dog sports, highly trained service and support dogs who are good at what they do but they can sometimes have underlying stress, or other issues. Being good, or obedient, doesn't always mean there's good welfare.

We expect dogs to adapt to our human world and often have done so while expecting them to be 'less dog’.  

For having them in our lives and living with us in our homes, they are often expected to not do normal dog behaviours. We inadvertently want them to become more ‘human’, especially in their interactions with humans and other dogs and animals. Not all dogs want to hang out with other dogs (or people), most people don't want to be friends or hang out with everyone they meet (Just look at the comments on any facebook post!).

Here’s a shocker…..most dogs bark and that is normal! I know pretty amazing stuff right?

Ever wake up and not want to do the housework, go to the office, get the groceries? or feel so stressed or worried about getting into trouble for something you don't really want to do that you just do it anyway? I'm sure there are plenty of dogs out there who don't want to go outside all day and be left alone, or participate in that trial, orpee in the rain, and maybe there are the dogs who will do it no matter what because they have been trained to do so, but if they really actually had the choice.....would they, or is it just because humans have created that life and existence for them and that is all they know?

We often try to suppress instinctive behaviour and traits that are deemed unacceptable, but to them that's just how you do being ‘a dog'.

It's historically been the case that most views begin with dogs must be under the humans control, be obedient and compliant, do a job, and suppress their own needs and wants to fit in and be 'good’. They have to live in a human world how the human wants.

But… what if we considered things from a different perspective? There is more and more global support and views that humans need to treat dogs differently to how they have been treated in the past, treating them kinder and with more respect.

We don't need to dominate dogs; they aren't going to control us and be pack leaders or whatever nonsense narrative is still lingering in society these days.

Control is a human construct and realising that dogs are a different species is a great place to start undoing the over control that humans have submitted dogs to!

If they walk in front they are not being a leader and in control of you! Dogs and humans walk differently and for the most part, they go for a walk for different reasons!

They don't need a ‘job’! They aren't humans who are stuck in the social constructs of the working life and tax system. I'm not saying they shouldn't have an outlet for their breed specific needs, but to say they need a job and to impose a human control over how a dog should be living in a human world, based on a human view is not ethically and morally right.

They need to do DOG things.

To live a life where they can express what their species needs and live the life of a dog, not the life of a human.

They also need to be the right fit for the right people - each dog breed is unique and each dog has its own personality.

All dogs need kindness, respect, compassion and choice..  And…….the ability to be dogs! Barks, growls and all!!

Perhaps we need to relax our ideals about what dogs ‘should’ do and loosen up our expectations about a different species coexisting with us on our terms.

It’s time to let dogs be dogs, instead of being an 'obedient pet'. Thye are so much more, so complex, so fascinating and we can learn a lot from letting them be dogs.

Let’s accommodate The Dog - a wonderful and amazing species that can co-exisit with humans.

They are not robots or a thing that needs to be controlled, they are sentient beings that deserve so much more!