Page 35 - Too Smart Dog

The lord however, continued to insist that the “greatest guard dog” should have attacked the thief. To this the Peddler replied that his was not the “greatest guard dog” but rather the “world’s smartest dog.” Since he is the smartest dog in the world, “He is able to judge what is in his best self-interest and behaves accordingly.”
Both the police Chief Inspector and the lord agreed that they would not want such a dog. They would not want a dog that would put its “personal need above mine.” And with that, the lord insisted that Peddler take his back his Too Smart Dog. Thus the story ends with the dog leaving with the Peddler, who comments “You know you never will make a very good guard dog.”
The inference from this last statement is that the role of the guard dog, as seen through the eyes of humans, is to do whatever the human wants him to do regardless of the consequences. Unfortunately, many humans insist that this is the type of relationship they should have with other humans. It is often very difficult for us to summon the courage to say “No” to a friend, boss, mate, child or parent when we are asked to do something we know is not in our best self-interest.
But this ability to “judge what is in your best self-interest and behave accordingly,” is what is at the heart of Coping Skills. This can give us the confidence to terminate unhealthy relationships, when others are taking advantage of us. But it can also help us with decision about accepting a promotion, if that promotion will mean too little time to spend with our family.
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