James Ron - The Dog Trainer Approach to Political Domination

Watching Trump handle US tariff policy reminds me of how a dog trainer once instructed me to teach my Labrador Retriever to walk off-leash.

"Leash your dog," she said, "and go for a walk while holding a piece of cheese in your extended fingers.

Walk rapidly in one direction, stop without warning, and then charge off in a new direction.

Repeat several times a minute for 10 minutes, periodically and irregularly offering the cheese for consumption.

Do this every day for a week."

My dog, Molly, caught on quickly. As excited about cheese as most of us are about our retirement portfolios, the puppy kept her eyes firmly on me and the treat in my hand, seeking to anticipate my every move. 

After seven days of this, Molly walked quietly and consistently alongside me, off-leash, attuned, and largely compliant. She stayed that way for the rest of her 12 years.

Is Trump training us like dogs?

About James Ron

James Ron is an author and social scientist whose career has spanned military service, human rights investigations, journalism, and university teaching. He is working on a memoir, Azimuth, which reflects on a life lived at the intersection of political violence, moral responsibility, exile, and personal transformation.

Learn more at www.jamesron.com | www.jamesron.org | www.jamesron.net

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