Although many species of animals engage in ritualistic behaviors, we humans seem to be especially good at it. As long as we impose these on other humans who speak the same language and share the same culture, they pose few problems. But when we impose those rituals on those for whom these make no sense, then we create problems for those others as well as ourselves.
This podcast explores the evolution of a natural command that benefited humans and their dogs into a more ritualistic one that emphasizes control. The difference in the human-canine relationship signaled by this change is best summed up in one of the old commands still used by some herdsmen and shepherds vs. the one used in training: “By me” vs. “Heel”. If you were a dog, which relationship with a person would you prefer?
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