Let’s do a quick review of the last three posts which focused on the 2nd branch of Human-Dog Problem tree.
The Nature of Modern Existence… and Dogs - Human Biology
The Nature of Modern Existence… and Dogs – Human Pshicology
Transitional Nature of Today's Society
The following highlights can be extrapolated
There are two foundational principles affecting our relationship with dogs that are directly related to the conditions inherent in the nature of modern living:
1) Our modern lives are misaligned with our Biology
a)
For 90% of human existence (for 90+ thousand years that is), humans have spent their time hunting, scavenging and gathering
b)
To deny the imprint this has left on our biology is to deny our nature.
2) Our modern lives are misaligned with our Psychology.
a)
For 90+ thousand years, better part of our day was spent ensuring our survival.
b)
Surviving gave direction and meaning to our existence.
c)
Since “surviving” is no longer a challenge (in terms of food, shelter, procreation, etc), people struggle to find direction and meaning to their existence
d)
The rest of the time we were free to pursue other interests (cave painting, tool development, etc.)
e)
We are biologically and psychologically programmed to conserve energy. This was useful 90 thousand years ago. Now that modern living entails plentiful and highly nutritious food, cars that move us from place to place, and sedentary existence (office work and lack of migrations), our predispositions are working against us. We must adjust.
3) We are –as a society- in a transitional phase.
a)
As a society we have made a clumsy move forward and away from our innate instincts, nature and biology
b)
Our relationship with dogs has changed in few fundamental ways. They use to be partners in hunt/migrations, alarm against intruders, etc. Now days, they are child-substitutes and pets, which is a totally new concept to both dogs and humans.
The point that will be made in future articles will be this.
1) We can use dogs as a connection to our Past
a)
Our lives use to be much more active then now.
b)
Your dog can be your fitness trainer and a motivator to engage in Paleolithic activities, even if it is just a simulation/approximation (migrating, walking, running, hunting, etc)
2) We can use our dogs as a connection to the Future
a)
In order to become better humans we need to go through a new and adjusted (for change in human and dog environment) edification process in order to deepen our understanding of dog’s needs.
b)
The information we need, like most information we need in life, is not learned in school. We must become life-long learners
3) We can use our dogs as a connection to Enlightenment
a)
I am not talking about new age enlightenment. Instead, I am talking about ways that will help us live closer to our biological and psychological core.
4) We can use our dogs as a connection to Meaning
a)
Just as there are Service Dogs (bomb sniffing dogs for example) I am advocating that we become Service Humans to our dogs.
What happens when we put these four factors together?
You get a fit, healthy human, who is focused on true learning (as opposed to indoctrination type learning we engage-in in schools… more on that later), who is living closer to his or her biological and psychological core and is being useful and more aware of his dog’s needs; and quite possibly being more aware of everyone’s needs.
I promise to approach these topics in a very useful and pragmatic way. See you then.
