[nagdu] Intelligent disobedience

[Larry D. Keeler]

Yes, its a trained behavior but I wonder how much a dog actually understands 
about what that behavior means?  Dogs are incredibly smart and while I don't 
anthropomorphize, I wonder how much they comprehend?
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Meghan Whalen" <mewhalen at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2013 11:19 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Intelligent disobedience


>I agree with you Julie. The dog is actually doing a trained behavior. They 
>have been taught "forward" means go into the street...but, they have also 
>been taught that "forward" means do not move, if there is a car or 
>something else unsafe approaching etc. They are obeying, but they are 
>having to dig deeper in their memory banks to recall less frequently used 
>tasks. Just like the fact that Dayton recalls exactly how to work a fully 
>blocked sidewalk, even if we haven't had to do that in well over a year. He 
>remembers the expected behavior. I am rambling now, but I hope my point is 
>in here somewhere.
>
> Meghan
>
>
> On 2/7/2013 7:06 AM, Julie J. wrote:
>> You know, it's always kind of bothered me that the most important thing a 
>> guide does is called disobedient.
>>
>> Why couldn't we call it intelligent obedience?  Because seriously the dog 
>> is trained to avoid traffic.  It is being obedient.  Or what about 
>> hierarchical obedience?  Or priority obedience?
>>
>> Or maybe this is just me thinking too hard again? *smile*
>>
>> Julie
>>
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