Tuesday, 15 August 2023
Talking to dogs
Walking by the river Otter today, we came across a woman trying to explain to her dog why it should not venture into the water. Presumably because at that point the bank was very steep and muddy.
“If you go in there you won’t be able to get out again,” she explained.
In our experience, owners often talk to their dogs in this way. They don’t use simple commands they have trained their dog to obey. Instead they talk to them as they would talk to a child old enough to be reasonably familiar with everyday language.
Strangely enough it never seems to work. The dog by the river Otter plunged straight in even though a significant disadvantage had been clearly explained.
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4 comments:
"Strangely enough it never seems to work"
But is this any different to adults telling their children not to do something? We've all done it, both as adults and children!
When I was a boy I would try to talk to our dog by woofing. I wonder how a wolf howl would have worked.
We wandered happily together. I never let him near cattle or sheep so I suppose I must have put him on a lead occasionally though I don't remember it.
The dirty secret that undermines all self help advice and guidance by politicians and political activists is that words are rarely enough to change behaviour.
People, bless them, don't listen, do not pay attention to evidence that disproves their beliefs, or are distracted by the next bright shiny thing. If that were not so we would already be living healthy lives, following healthy exercise routines, not using transport that generates carbon dioxide, observe all laws, and generally be far nicer to other people.
If enough people take advice on board and demonstrate changed behaviour then 'words' can work, eventually. Most people now wear seatbelts when driving, don't smoke tobacco, and avoid making XXXX-ist statements. But such changes can take decades. And there will always be a few that resist.
Dave - yes, these days it does seem to be much the same as adults telling their children not to do something.
dearieme - a woof would probably work as well as a word if used consistently.
DJ - there are always attempts to make certain words and phrases more powerful and others more aversive than general language. It leaves neutral language with no inbuilt advantage when it comes to persuasion but as you say, words are rarely enough to change behaviour anyway.
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