Zappturday: On the subject of when being dumb has its benefits
We’re on week two of training the dogs on the invisible fence. I don’t know if you’re familiar with how the training works, but it basically involves taking the dogs up to the fence so they can get a correction (first it’s just a beep, then it’s a beep with a little shock). The correction makes the dog back up, and eventually they learn the new boundaries of the yard.
I sometimes think Shooter is too smart for the fence. It actually occurs to him to push the boundaries a bit, testing every corner of the yard to see if there’s a “weak spot.” Although I don’t know why he would do this - if he were to escape all he would do it trot around barking at anyone who’s having any fun. He’s getting better, but he’s not happy about it.
Zapp, on the other hand, required maybe two shocks before she wouldn’t even go near the boundary. If she senses you leading her to the edge of the yard, she sits down and will not budge. The simpicity of her brain made the training very simple: edge = beep = shock = OMG I DO NOT LIKE THAT I WILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN.
Yeah. Sometimes dumb is better. Also, she’s pretty cute…
This is Zapp enjoying her favorite pasttime: staring at us all night to see what we’ll do next.
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I once read that a dogs mind functions like clouds, drifting across a warm sunny sky. No real direction, just slow and simple movement.
Though I’ve had a dog or two in my life that were exceptions to this analogy, it seems both Zapp and Zoe fit it to a tee.
There is something just lovely about the innocent simplicity of their lives though, something I sometimes strive to live vicariously though.
Generally though, I just enjoy her easy peasy take on the world, and try not to expect too much.