The dangers of “cookie cutter-ism”
I've often written about things like: "to train thy dog, we must know thy dog"; honoring and respecting the whole dog-- traits, personality, limitations, etc. I've written about levels of expectation dogs typically live with, how they must coincide with our level of effort, and how they're (oftentimes) quite unrealistic.
We live in a culture and society where rules and boundaries are, yes- necessary, but abundant. In the "land of the free", we're not so much free. We're living in far-from-instinctual ways... everything from our lifestyle, to how we relate and connect to others, how our environments are set up, and so on. Restrictions, limitations, and regulations surround us, infiltrate our lives, and "keep us in check".
I believe every human being is born with a certain special sauce they're here to bring to the world. A gift only they can add in their own specific way. Their contribution to the greater whole. When we deny this special sauce, we live a life of frustration, un-fulfillment, confusion, anxiety, depression, sadness, and simply feeling lost. We're not living our purpose. This is not far off from dogs.
We all have this desire and vision of getting a dog. Forming this amazing, unbreakable bond. Having a "forever b-f-f". A dog who gets along with everybody. Who's polite and easy. We envision going to parties, happy hours, and social gatherings without issue. We enter into the dynamic with expectations; and when the dog doesn't meet these expectations.... judgment. Labeling. Blaming. The dog becomes a "bad dog", and the cycle we fight so hard to break continues... dogs are given up on, turned into shelters, bounced around from home to home, and even euthanized.
"Cookie-cutter-ism" is a rampant mindset and a most dangerous one; and it's everywhere in the dog training industry. It assumes and encourages sameness, uniformity, and conformity, and rejects and discourages variety, uniqueness, and nonconformity. It handicaps the free spirit, the mavericks, those daring to be themselves and living true to their nature. Cookie-cutter-ism totally disregards the individual and limits their ability to evolve, grow, and become; placing a cap on their overall level of fulfillment and happiness. This is true of both humans and dogs.
Every dog is unique. They've got their own blend of traits and characteristics (breed-specific and otherwise), and are a product of the energy they spend the most time around, as well as what we're teaching and not teaching. We honor them most when we allow expectations to unfold as we begin our journey together. Getting to know the individual, and nurturing that special sauce only they have. To *effectively* train thy dog, we must know thy dog- their limits, caps, natural gifts and talents, drives, instincts... and nurture accordingly.
