Page 18 - Too Smart Dog

The lord regained his composure and with all the arrogance he could manage, considering what had just happened, said “I thought you had sold me the greatest guard dog in the world.”
“No, no,” corrected the Peddler, “I sold you the smartest dog in the world.” “But of what value is he to me if he is not willing to sacrifice his life to save my family and valuables?” “But no valuables or lives were at risk,” noted the Chief Inspector.
“You sir, have hit upon why this is truly the smartest dog in the world,” said the Peddler. “He is able to judge what is in his best interest and behaves accordingly.”
“But that is not what I want!” shouted the lord. “I want him to do exactly what I want, when I want him to do it, no matter the consequences to him. He must be willing to sacrifice all, even if it is for worthless jewels or just a whim of mine.”
“You make a good point,” said the Chief Inspector. “He should not think about whether or not to do it, in this case, attack the thief, he should just do it regardless of the consequences to him.” Both the lord and Chief Inspector shook their heads in agreement.
“If you want him to unthinkingly do your bidding, then you don’t want this dog,” said the Peddler. “This is the smartest dog in the world and as such will never do something that is foolish or dangerous just to please you. He may sometimes do things that displease you but they are in his best interest.”
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