Give Him An Inch And He'll Take A Mile

[corvus]

I've never really understood what people mean by this in relation to dogs. I have, however, lately started calling Erik the Tall Erik the Enterprising because he quite commonly comes up with new and clever ways of getting what he wants. It's got to the point where I cling to NILIF to give him a legal structure to work within. Without that structure, I just know that I will spend more time breaking habits than teaching new things. After being caught out by Erik's cleverness and creativeness a few times, it's a matter of telling him what to do before he can think of something on his own, now. It made me wonder if this is what people meant by the above statement?

[SkySoaringMagpie]

I think the expression usually refers to a dog who will spot weaknesses in their handler's control of different situations and push those weaknesses in an attempt to get "good stuff for dogs".

Does he get reasonable opportunity to get what he wants on your terms? Does it bother you that he is smart and giving you a push or two?

Edited to add: sometimes it's not a weakness in handler control either, it's natural for dogs to push boundaries to see if they are still there.

Edited December 29, 2009 by SkySoaringMagpie

[tlc]

Sometimes I think it is good to have a dog that tests the boundries because it tests your skills as a handler and I think makes you a better dog owner.

I have had a variety with my 4 they are all so different and each have pushed the boundries at some point one way or another. I think with me it keeps me on top of thier training and makes me not get complacent about thier behaviour and general obedience.

Also you have probly found with having more than one it definatly changes the dynamics. With my lot the dynamics changed with each addition and it keep me on my toes with getting a good harmonious balance between the 4 of them and me as thier leader. Throw an OH in thier who isnt really interested in sticking with the training regime and it makes things interesting!!

I think the secret to the "give and inch they take a mile" scenario is to nip it in the bud before it takes a hold. Also Erik is still young and learning the ropes so to speak. I say that about my youngest all the time he has definatly been more of a challenge than the other 3 but he is nearly 2 so I cant really use the "oh but he is still a puppy" line anymore.....

[corvus]

I think the expression usually refers to a dog who will spot weaknesses in their handler's control of different situations and push those weaknesses in an attempt to get "good stuff for dogs".

Does he get reasonable opportunity to get what he wants on your terms? Does it bother you that he is smart and giving you a push or two?

Edited to add: sometimes it's not a weakness in handler control either, it's natural for dogs to push boundaries to see if they are still there.

He gets endless opportunities to get what he wants on our terms, and it doesn't bother me in the slightest that he is particularly clever and opportunistic. It just makes me nervous about letting other people take care of him. He's at my parents' house this week and I was like, "listen, DO NOT give him anything for free or he'll walk all over you and come up with all sorts of new tricks I'm not going to like". It's not that I think he would walk all over someone because of a weakness in their handling. More because without structure he's zipping all over the place doing a pile of things that aren't cool like jumping up and down and barking and biting things and running away with things and knocking things over... It's just a lot easier if you tell him what to do before he has a chance to think up something new to try.

I don't think he is pushing against boundaries. He is just very creative and he sees life as an endless procession of potential opportunities for getting his way. He doesn't try to "get away with things" much. If I give him a rule structure to work within such as if you want something you do something for me first and then you will get it, he is quite happy to stay within that structure the majority of the time.

[Cosmolo]

I think its just a way to describe the opportunistic nature of dogs. I think all dogs are like that to varying degrees. For example, one of my dogs walks extremely well on lead for a variety of people- literally NEVER pulls. Unless that lead is handed to my father.. She has learned (even though she has been walked by him only 5 times maximum when he visits) that a little bit further out was okay, then a little tension, then a little more etc etc. So she was quite literally given an inch, and now tries to take a mile because she can Hand the lead to someone else and she doesn't even try.

[SkySoaringMagpie]

He gets endless opportunities to get what he wants on our terms, and it doesn't bother me in the slightest that he is particularly clever and opportunistic.

You mentioned "clinging to NILIF" so I thought it might have been presenting a problem for you. Great to hear that it isn't.