From the archives of a psychologist with dog interests: EXCERPTS from the Georgia Psychologist (Summer/2006). p. 5 Bill Doverspike, Ph.D. Editor Dog Wisdom “Although some of my colleagues know of my longstanding interests in ethics and spirituality, few of them know of my true love: dog training. There is nothing quite like watching a Golden Retriever launch into an eight foot leap off a lakeside dock, splashing into the water, intently pursuing a blind retrieve 100 yards away in the foggy distance. Or watching him flip in the air to catch a flying Frisbee in the park on an autumn afternoon. Or running alongside him as he leaps airborne over the apex of an A-frame on an agility obstacle course. There is also nothing like working endlessly on basic obedience exercises, turning work into play, turning play into work, over and over, with just the right precision, until we get it right. It’s so compulsive, so perfectionistic, so enjoyable. It’s the principle of “energy in, energy out.” I spend approximately ten hours a week in different types of dog training, including competitive agility and obedience training as well as field competition and hunting tests. Yet it is the pet therapy experiences that are the subject of this writing. Although I no longer perform hospital consultations as a clinical psychologist, I make hospital visits each week with my canine companion who is a certified pet therapy dog. My life has literally gone to the dogs, and it couldn’t be better. Seeing life from a dog’s point of view has helped change my perspective of people.1 For organizational psychology colleagues, consider the canine principles of management: If you think you’re a person with some influence, trying ordering someone else’s dog around. It doesn’t work. A dog will work if he likes you, but he will work even harder if he also respects you. For psychotherapists, consider the canine principles of counseling: Simply stay in the present. When someone is having a bad day, simply be silent and sit close by. When in doubt about what to say, say nothing. Consider a gentle nudge now and then. For academic colleagues, consider the canine principles of research: If you can’t find what you are looking for, honor your nose and start sniffing around. If you still can’t find what you are looking for, dig deeper until you do. If you’re in too deep, stop digging. Sometimes we find what we are looking for when we stop looking. On boundaries: Know your turf, and know the territory of others. Let others know when they’ve invaded your space. Don’t bite when a simple growl will do. Don’t growl when a simple snarl will do. Don’t snarl when a simple stare will do. On leadership: Be loyal to your group. Never pretend to be something that you’re not. If you’re running ahead of the pack, do a head check now and then to make sure the pack is still with you. On assertiveness: Say what you mean, and mean what you say, but don’t say it mean. Smile in the presence of the top dog. Smile when there is something you want. When in doubt, simply smile. On communication: Good communication is 99% listening — 1% barking. How it is said is usually more important than what is said. Put process before content. On family and friends: When loved ones come around, always run up to greet them. Accept praise and let people touch you now and then. On leisure: Delight in the simple joys of walking in the woods. Enjoy the simple pleasures of sitting by the lake. Be still, and hear the silence. (footnote #2) Bill Doverspike, Ph.D. Editor Dog Wisdom Although some of my colleagues know of my longstanding interests in ethics and spirituality, few of them know of my true love: dog training. There is nothing quite like watching a Golden Retriever launch into an eight foot leap off a lakeside dock, splashing into the water, intently pursuing a blind retrieve 100 yards away in the foggy distance. Or watching him flip in the air to catch a flying Frisbee in the park on an autumn afternoon. Or running alongside him as he leaps airborne over the apex of an A-frame on an agility obstacle course. 1. 2. Footnotes Most of these sayings are taken from the public domain and conventional wisdom of dog trainers. On the matter of leisure, the author enjoys silence, weightlifting, pipe collecting, listening to music, and walking in the woods.”
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 17:47:53 +0000
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