"Phyrie" spoke these words of wisdom in
:


"diddy" none wrote in message
. ..

FWIW, His father seemed to have what might be considered morals, if you
can
admit that dogs might have them.

But Reka, raised under the same roof, with the same strategies does
not. There seems to be a genetic connection. Other dogs raised the same
way do not. Yet other people have rather astounding similar experiences
with their
dogs (at least in this breed). So this is not exclusive to just Tuck
and his breeding. And es, I consider him not the norm, not even in
this breed.

Reka would have eaten the heart without any second thoughts.

Kiba would have eaten it, too. So Tuck is "special", whatever that
means. Or at least, his line is. This is where we need those
fantastical genetic scientistical types you see on TV to tell us Tuck is
from Alphacentauri and is here to save the planet, one slipper at a
time. Oh, hell, that was dismissive, and I didn't mean it that way.
Tuck is already saving the world, one special child at a time. You and
Tuck are both very lucky to have each other.

Phyrie, there are millions of special dogs out there in this world. Most
dog's limitations are physical. They don't have opposable thumbs, nor
speech capabilities.
But dogs can make choices from little puppies.
Do i potty INSIDE? or OUTSIDE? (I think outside is better, Don't you?)
Then they learn they may not steal out of trashcans or off tBecayables.
I must not bolt out the door when visitors come.
I may not jump on visitors.
I have to go to my caller, when they call.
I must stay when told.
All these are rules which require some sense of dcision making on the part
of a dog, even though sometimes a dog would prefer to do otherwise.

Tuck was started out as a puppy being taught more complicated decision
making.
Because I believed he CAN, I push the envelope constantly.
A lot of people believe a dog is not capable. A lot of times because
religion complicates the human/dog position in this world. If you play the
"God" card, this discussion is ended.

His decision making becomes more delayed and complicated as he ages.
We develop this, just as you develop a child's ability to think and relate.

Obedience is a decision making game with a dog. i do obedience with Tuck,
but he's allowed to heel wide, because I have balance issues. If he heeled
where he's supposed to, he'd have permanently mashed toes. So in
competition obedience, he heels consistantly a foot and a half wider than
acceptable. It still passes, but I take hits for "heel wide" which is fine
with me.
He will never be a 200 dog, because of me.
But obedience allows control for decision making opportunities.
Tuck develops a sense of pride and accomplishment in doing something well.
Many obedience and agility dogs DO. This is nothing new to people who train
their dogs.

But Tuck has developed a sense of self This also is not unusual in a dog.
And as his decision making develops, he learns to follow rules better. And
then learns to apply rules in his own sets of circumstances.

Tuck has unflappable disposition. Nothing scares him, and he's extremely
self confident.
Reka does not have that boldness. Nor does she have a good sense of
competition. Reka also has a bit of a sneaky gene


If you look at the building blocks carefully put in place with Tuck, as
well as a healthy dose of genetics for intelligence and confidence (and
perhaps even problem solving)


I think all mammalian behavior is taught. But after a mammal learns
something, then he becomes capable of applying what he's learned in
the context of his living situation. Once choice/free will enters the
picture, he can choose to follow the rules, thus capable of making
moral and ethical choices. I do believe that Tuck has above average
*emotional* intelligence? (The idea of emotional intelligence is a
relatively new one, as far as formal studies go, but is being recognized
now.)

It makes me sad to think that some people who have met Tuck
and seen what he can do still think he is "lesser" and cannot have
higher cognitive abilities simply because he is not a human.

It's interesting that the same people who see such behaviors in dogs
and chimps and other creatures still maintain that morals and ethics
are something only humans are born with. But what's really odd, to me
at least, is the idea that humans are moral and ethical *without*
being trained!

Pretty much the only things mammals do without being taught is breath,
sleep, and eliminate! (Oh, and sex.)