Dogan Dogs Video Blogs

15 Mar 2010

Human-Dog Problem Tree - PART ELEVEN

Dogs: Our Connection With the Past

I've decided to present this portion of the Human-Dog Problem Tree using concrete examples of modern life which are working against our biological nature, and then present a way in which dogs can help us get past it. Unfortunately, there are thousands of these examples and it would be impossible to list them all; so we will focus on the principles of the matter and use concrete examples as case-studies. Lets get started.

Problem: We are made to run but we either dont or suffer greatly when we do.
Solution: Education, unlearning and dogs.

Many people will find this hard to believe but humans are made to run. Evolution has designed us to be incredible runners.

Would you be surprised if I told you that from a running standpoint, humans have a better, more sound design then the fastest land animal?
Without googling it, what is the fastest land animal? Also, without googling it, what does "google" mean?

Dogs are pretty fast, they are certainly faster then humans, and make for a good example of what I'm talking about.

Sidenote: Greyhounds are the fastest dog breed. Without google, can you guess how fast they are?

Four-legged animals are designed to run short and fast. This is true of dogs as well as pumas, tigers, bears, etc.

They are fast because they have four legs.
They can only run short distances because their breathing is hard-wired to their stride. When a dog extends his front and hind legs he is able to breath-in

As he contracts his body (brings his front and hind legs close together) he is breathing out because there is less space in his torso due to compression of the rib cage and internal organs.

The expansion and contraction of the lungs therefore is tightly tied into the running tempo.

All four legged animals breath-in when legs are extended, and breath-out when their legs are close together.
This means that faster they run, faster they must inhale/exhale with their lungs. Breathing fast and deep is fine for a short amount of time, however, it cant be done for more then a minute or so (this varies from animal to animal, but in relative terms it is correct).

Contrast that with the human body design.
We walk/run on two legs which makes us slower. However, this also means that our breathing is independent of our stride. Our stride and speed DOES NOT dictate the speed at which our lungs expand and contract. We are able to control the EPMs (Exhale per Minute) regardless of the running tempo.

So when I say that humans are made to run, what I mean is that humans are made to engage in a particular kind of running. The long distance, 3-5mph type.

Lets examine this.

Our lungs and stomach "breathe" independently of our stride. This means that if we can maintain a certain tempo in a way that it will not deplete our energy reserves and fatigue our muscles (slow, 3-5 mph running fits the bill) we can control how fast (or slow in this case) we breathe which then allows us to replenish our muscles with oxygen and allow blood to work through our system. Our body is designed to do exactly that. Why?

It goes back to 90 percenters. Humans have spend 90% of their existence as hunters/gatherers which means they engaged in slow, long distance running just to survive. Er go, our biology evolved to turn us into slow, long distance running machines.

To drive a point home, lets wake up somewhere in Africa about 60 thousand years ago. What are we going to do today?
We are going to perhaps eat something (assuming there is leftover food from yesterday's hunt...no refrigerators 60 thousand years ago, correct?), drink water, pick up our spear and be on our way.

We might track game using our senses, but we will most likely rely on our dogs to help us root-out prey. Over time, this hunting activity has become integral part of both human and dog DNA. To learn more about this process, read http://dogandogs.com/everything-you-know-about-dog-training-is-wro-5

Just imagine a mind set you must engage in. There are no guarantees that we will find something, and if we do that we will catch it. This means that we will hunt for as long as necessary (all day) and we must cover vast distances. How do we do this?

Slow pace (3-5 mph). Anything faster and we would tire too quickly. Plus, we might miss something (failure to track) if we rush.

I say all this to get you to picture a scene from this ancient time when dog and man were spending all day together in slow run across vast distances. This is the picture that's still in your dog's mind. This is the picture thats part of our DNA.

My thesis is based on this premise. The premise that humans are designed to exist in a certain way; failure to respect our natural predispositions will result in all manner of problems; modern day ailments (diabetes, heart problems, obesity, etc) as well as mental issues ( panic attacks and anxiety, various social disorders, etc).

Living in alignment with our predispositions means living in harmony with your surroundings.

How come we dont run anymore? And furthermore, how come when we do, it hurts? I'm talking about various foot and knee problems humans suffer when we engage in any kind of running. Here is why.

Of course, for those that dont run, its simply because humans are wired to conserve energy, and these days its all too easy to conserve energy (cars, buses, motorcycles, segways, the list goes on).

Some however like to run, or have tried running, but find it painful. Why?

Nike. The worst thing to happen to running since bear traps and sink holes.

Nike is a company that has done something few companies have managed to do. They've managed to create their own market where there wasn't one. They've managed to give people something people didnt know they needed. Sony has done the same thing with Walkman.

Sony had released Walkman without any market research and it was a huge gamble for Sony. Of course, with the benefit of hindsight, it is clear that this was a great move. Sony has made a mountain of money selling their Walkman before others got into the game and before new technology (iPod for example) replaced it. This is an example of a company that has managed to create a market where there wasn't one.

Back to Nike.

Nike invented jogging as a hobby and a pass-time for the masses. They also just happened to have invented a shoe to go with it.

Everyone started jogging in the 70s and 80s (tho i believe a concerted effort begen in the 50s), and this has persisted to this day. The shoe of choice for most is still Nike. But why is it Nike's fault that our feet, knees and back hurt after running?

When sneaker companies advertise their wares, the focus is always on the softness of the sneaker and the "cushion" of the heel, have you noticed? The fact that they are "bragging" about the thickness and the softness of the heel implies something, doesn't it? It implies that when you use this device (sneaker) to run, you are supposed to use your heel when landing on your foot. This of course is contrary to our biology and the way we are designed.

If you were running barefoot, would you land on your heel? Try exaggerating the running motion and land ONLY on your heel, see how stupid it feels.

Humans are NOT designed to run on their heels and when we do, our entire skeletal structure suffers because of it. Heel and knee problems are pretty standard, but I wouldn't be surprised if some future study finds that many back injuries are caused by improper landing and poorly-designed sneaker (which is ALL sneakers by the way).

This is a clear example of modern lifestyle and consumerism working against our biology.

So HOW do you run correctly?

The good news is you already know how to run correctly. Chances are, if you were to take off your sneakers and run barefoot (or wearing rudimentary protection on your soles, think moccasins for example), more then likely, your running posture, stride, and landing would be on the money. And yes, we can recreate this while wearing sneakers even.

4 steps to running correctly and avoiding long term injury
(same as posture required for correct execution of any workout type exercise. Read more at http://dogandogs.com/everything-you-know-about-dog-training-is-wro-4)

Overall posture.
Place your elbow on the table, make a fist and point your knuckles towards the ceiling. This will give you a visual representation of the alignment your spine, neck and head must be in while running. No leaning forward nor back, no hanging your head and looking at the ground, etc.
Push down on your knuckles (this emulates gravity pushing down on your spine).
Notice how stable this vertically aligned configuration really is.
Now miss-align your wrist (imitating a head looking down) and notice how weak this makes you.
This configuration is extremely powerful and stable if aligned properly; if not, it is equally weak and easy to compromise.
Breathe.
Slow, not shallow-not deep, purposeful, meaningful breaths using both your lungs and your stomach chamber for air distribution is the way to do it.
Landing pads.
DO NOT land on your heels. Nevermind the soft sneaker design and latest space age polymer. All of this is nonsense.
If you were barefoot you would land on the ball of your foot or slightly to the side. This is how you should land while wearing sneakers no matter the softness.
Smile.
This may sound silly or simplistic bit it may be the most important factor of all. SMILE.
We all know that the way we feel is expressed in the way we look. When we are sad, we frown. When we are happy, we smile, etc.
Due to Feedback Loop (I talk about this in another one of my posts http://dogandogs.com/dogs-can-sense-your-fear-but-how) we smile and make ourselves happy. Try it, it works. By the same token, if we frown, we can make ourselves feel sad.
The importance of smiling while running is to enjoy this ancient activity. If we enjoy it, we will do it more often and our dog will thank us.

Finally, runners often experience something called a runner's high. It is this amazing feeling that makes you think you can go on forever. I cant help but think that this is a genetic memory of our past letting us know that we are engaging in the right kind of activities. Food for thought.

I know this post is running long but its the only way to connect these seemingly disparate
factors. To help summarize, here are the important points.

We are genetically predisposed to conserve energy. This is why most people dont run and opt for cars, bikes, trains and what not.
Those of us who do run, often experience foot, knee and back problems
The reason we suffer these physical ailments is because of the features of modern existence. In our case, this is expressed in the form of a sneaker which subtly but emphatically tells you to run incorrectly (on your heels)
We must unlearn. We must detect and eradicate these types of indoctrination techniques perpetrated by the culture of consumerism.
We must seek to understand and educate ourselves beyond whats presented to us by the indoctrination tools like media, popular culture, and even by whats considered common and accepted knowledge.
We must keep the promise we made to our dogs when they opted to help us in our hunt and engage in the ancient activity of dog and man running side by side

In the beginning of this post I stated that it would do the following.

Present a problem: We are made to run but we either dont or suffer greatly when we do.
And offer a solution: Education, unlearning and dogs.

I hope I've accomplished exactly that.

In the next post, we will talk about some very real and practical ways in which dogs can help us evolve-forward.

The Magnificent 7: Best Damn Dog Blogs Around. Period!!!

25 Feb 2010

Human-Dog Problem Tree - PART NINE

This article continues our exploration of the second branch of Human-Dog problem tree.

In the first section of the series, I've laid out the misalignment of our biology and its effects on human-dog relationship.
In the second section, I've laid out how modern day living puts us out of balance with our psychology which affect our relationship with ourselves as well as everything and everyone around us. Dogs make this imbalance really apparent.
In this section, I will talk about a transitional nature of today's society.

Let me start by admitting that saying something like "today's society is in a transitional phase" is really easy. We are always in a transitional state and the only thing that's constant is change. Here is how I mean it.

As a species, we've spent 90 thousand years

Hunting
Gathering
Scavenging
Migrating
Living in small tribes (up to 150 people)
Focusing really hard on our needs at Level 1 and 2 of Maslow's Hierarchy

Then for the next 10 thousand years we've spend our time

Settling in larger farming and living communities
Planting
Growing
Building

Note that the second phase (the Aggrecoltural phase of human progression) lasted considerably less time.

Then about 200 years ago we embarked on a new chapter in our journey and the Industrial Revolution began; characterized by the following

Massive migrations to more populated areas
Change in our work habits (work became more sedentary and results were invisible to the worker)
We started developing entitlement for basic needs and safety

Again, notice that the Industrial age lasted only about 200 years, much shorter than the Agricultural age and shorter still than hunting/gathering phase.

In the last 50 years or so, we've experienced Information age. Some say that the Information age is over and that we are in the Communications age. In either case, this phase looks all too familiar.

Our sense of entitlement to basic needs and safety is now a full blown addiction sometime to our own detriment
Our work habits are now even more sedentary; our lives are arranged to expand as little energy as possible (cars, escalators, chairs with wheels on'em, etc)
Corporation dictate government as well as personal policies. This point deserves its own post, but we'll save it for later.

So first we must presuppose that our biology (both mental and physical) is best tuned for the kind of environment we as species spent most time in. There is an overwhelming scientific data that supports this assertion.
If thats the case, then our biology is best tuned for hunter/gatherer type of living. Let me ask you a question.

If you did live as a hunter/gatherer, what kind of relationship would you have with your dog?

If you answered "a symbiotic one" you would be 100% correct.

If we lived the way of the Paleolithic man, all issues -or what we perceive as issues- we have with our dogs would disappear and this I can guarantee.

So first lets take the responsibility and say that we are at fault and not the dog. Second, lets recognize that our needs have changed. We needed dogs for hunting, tracking, alarm, etc. Now, we need them as baby-replacements and companions.

In some ways, we have made a very clumsy leap "forward" but we cant expect dogs to do the same. If they are to give us what WE need, we must give them what THEY need. In this regard, dogs are perhaps the most important factor in humans successfully transitioning into the next age, the age of Enlightenment. How?

Lets save that discussion for the next post.

Related Posts:

Dharma and Greg: What Can Sitcom Characters Teach us About Dog Training

Do you think our biology has had time to adjust to the changes in our environment?

17 Feb 2010

Human-Dog Problem Tree - PART SEVEN

The Nature of Modern Existence… and Dogs

I want this entry to serve as an introduction to the second branch of the Human-Dog Problem Tree.

There are two foundational principles affecting our relationship with dogs that are directly related to the conditions inherent in the nature of modern living:

Our modern lives are misaligned with our biology as well as our psychology.
We are –as a society- in a transitional phase.

Let’s examine the biological misalignment first

Conventional evolutionary science places the age of human species –in our current form- at about 100 thousand years old. In other words, if you went back in time, snatched up one of the cavemen, shaved him down and gave him a bath, put him in a suit, he would be indistinguishable from any one of us walking down the street.

Sidebar: I must add that there is compelling evidence that human species are much older then 100 thousand years, by we will follow the convention for now.

What are the implications of this?

For 90% of human existence (for 90 thousand years that is), humans have spent their time hunting, scavenging, rooting and gathering.

We lived in small tribes (up to 150 people); we spent our days walking, running, following the game, greener pastures and milder weather.

By the way, who do you think was keeping us company during these walks, runs and hunts?

To deny the imprint this has left on our biology is to deny our nature

In fact, scientists go a step further and now have evidence to show that there is such a thing as genetic memory; memory passed down from generation to generation.

Let me give you two quick examples.

Most humans have an unfounded fear of reptiles (snakes, lizards, Godzillas, etc). Why?

Scientists believe it’s because the earliest mammals were preyed on by reptiles. This has left an indelible imprint on mammalian brain that humans have inherited from their precursors.

Here is another example that might hit closer to home

How do you feel when you walk into a new situation? (A bar or a restaurant, group of unknown people, new territory, etc.)

If you are like most humans, you feel (more than) slightly unease. How come?

This is the imprint left by the 90 percenters

Those hunters/scavengers/gatherers who lived between 10 thousand and 100 thousand years ago.

How do you suppose 90 percenters felt when they encountered a new group of people? (new tribe).

Was this tribe friendly or would they kill, rape and steal?

How do you suppose 90 percenters felt when they walked into a new and unknown territory?

Probably more then a little unease, right? Who knows what dangers could come their way from these unknown parts.

This is why most people have social anxiety whenever they find themselves in new places or with new people

Our rational brain knows that there is nothing to fear, and yet…

This is the biological imprint left by the 90 percenters.

...and then

About 10 thousand years ago, humans settled and sprouted some roots. The agricultural age begun and we started growing corn, potato, rice and other staples. Since then, we quickly transitioned into the industrial age and then the information age.

Do you think our biology has had a chance to compensate for the abundance of food for example?

Look around, what do you see? Overweight, sedentary, inactive and dare I say unhappy people, right? Why?

Let me answer that with a question of my own.

Do you think we are living in harmony with our biology? Do you think we are living the way of the 90 percenters?

I’m starting to realize that I’m running long with this blog entry so we will make this a multi-part introduction; but before I wrap up, lets tie this in with human-dog relationship.

During the first 90 thousand years of human existence, we (humans) have lived much the same way our dogs did.

We roamed, they roamed.

We searched for better hunting ground; they searched for better hunting ground.

We needed them for their superior speed, sense of hearing and sense of smell; but why did dogs need us?

Despite tremendous scientific undertakings, it is not yet clear why dogs tolerate us :-)

Our lifestyle has changed, and we have adopted it without much resistance; even if it is sometimes to our own detriment.

Dogs didn't.

Dogs live closer to their core, closer to their true-self, and therefore reject our modern lifestyle. Dogs are looking at us and think “what happened to you human, you use to be cool, and look at you now”.

I joke but I hope I’ve made my point.

In the next article, we will talk about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, 90 percenter’s psychology and the way in which dogs can help us move back to our core while transitioning as a society to the next level of global awareness.

What do you think about all this?

Related Posts:

The Magnificent 7: Best Damn Dog Blogs Around. Period!!!

Dharma and Greg: What Can Sitcom Characters Teach us About Dog Training

15 Feb 2010

Human-Dog Problem Tree - PART SIX

Teach a Man to Fish and He Will No Longer Buy Fish From You

If you’ve ever purchased a fitness book, DVD, watched a show on fitness or hired a trainer to help you lose some weight then you’ve probably seen this.

Fitness trainers have a tendency to “teach” correct posture on per-exercise basis.

We all know that correct posture is important and incorrect posture can derail you and put you “on the bench” for a long time.

So having your head, neck and back in correct alignment is paramount whenever you perform ANY exercise. Remember the old “lift with your legs, not with your back” advice?

In the next paragraph, I will teach you the correct posture regardless of the exercise performed.

Why?

Because, my livelihood doesn’t depend on teaching you correct posture on per-exercise basis.

Here we go.

Place your elbow on a flat surface (your computer desk is perfect).
Have your fist point straight-up towards the ceiling.

That’s it, that’s the correct posture regardless of the exercise.

The length of your forearm represents your spine
Your wrist represents your neck
And your fist represents your head.

Try pushing down on your fist and feel how stable and solid that is.

On the other hand, if you misalign any part of your setup (forearm, wrist, or fist) and push down on it, you will feel how your “setup” is not as stable.

Btw, this is the correct posture not only during any exercise, but also when walking and running.

Side note: The point of the correct posture is to maintain maximum stability even if you're performing an exercise while laying down, on your side, or some other weird position. Keep it straight and properly aligned and you’ll be fine.

This is what’s called a “principle”.

There is no need to teach correct posture on per-exercise basis so why are fitness trainers and experts alike hell-bent on doing exactly that?

It’s simple. They are giving you the fish.

What does this have to do with dog training? Turns out, everything.

Many dog trainers teach individual commands, not overriding principles.

This is sometimes out of necessity (it’s what clients need at the time), and sometimes it’s a matter of indoctrination or limited knowledge and understanding of training principles.

The training principles that I’m talking about are things like timing and consistency, but here is one most people ignore.

There are many opinions as to what “tool” to use during training. Treats, affection, toys, etc.

In the ocean of discussion regarding the “correct tool”; trainers often forget to mention that whatever tool you are using (treats, affection, toys) it’s paramount NOT to use that same tool during non-training time.

So if you are using treats to teach a dog to execute commands then don’t give the dog treats outside the training time. This is doubly-so when using affection to train a dog. I believe you get the idea.

What “tool” do you use?

Looking back, have you had an experience with fitness or dog trainers teaching you individual movements, exercises, commands or did they teach correct principles of movements or commands?

The Magnificent 7: Best Damn Dog Blogs Around. Period!!!