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I once read this guide from the 1930’s on how to pick out a puppy.

You place the dog gently on its back and then hold it there lightly but firmly.

If it makes no effort to flip itself over it’s a chill/lazy dog who will have a mellow personality.

If it struggles to roll over for a bit and then acquiesces and relaxes this is a dog who will take instruction well and is very trainable.

If it won’t stop fighting you and keeps trying to roll over the whole time this is a high strung dog who will remain high strung. Will be hard to train and needs to be put to work in an active way.

According to ChatGPT this was known as the supine restraint test and it was rooted in dominance theory which is currently debunked.

But I’ve always found it useful as a metaphor.

Are you the dog who fights for a little bit and then gives up? Are you the dog who doesn’t fight? Or are you the dog who will keep fighting until you finally get what you want?

campusalot 2w ago 💬 1

i dont think it helps to categorize puppies this way

it is just about relating

a puppy that has to pee will fight to get off their back even if they are otherwise chill

as in, situational

and sure, in general, a very trusting puppy doesnt mind like 'oh maybe this is a belly rub thing, im in' but that can quickly change if you then hurt that puppy or hold them down too long

like to the puppy this is: are we friends or are you psycho

sure a puppy with inherent stranger danger views everyone as psycho until proven otherwise, a more anxious alert dog, a more watchful careful one

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Discussion

campusalot 2w ago 💬 1

larger breeds tend to be more chill cos they are more secure cos bigger and can afford to give you the benefit of the doubt

a chihuahua cant afford to be that way

Sleventy3 2w ago 💬 1

Definitely bread dependent

campusalot 2w ago

yes

a large dog can climb on a table, break thru a crate, and even eat you

whereas a chihuahua is fucked if you accidentally step on them

and it shows