Discernment - Page 1

One of the traits that I see less and less of in today's improved GS, is the trait of strong discernment. The reason many of the breed was so effective in their mythical stories of the past was a strong sense of discernment. The trait that made this breed an unparalleled dog for seeing-eye foundations was trait of discernment. Some of you old timers understand this trait, many younger breeders in sport and show probably don't as the need isn't there for those breeding programs.( of course we shouldn't be breeding for SPORT or SHOW anyway)
So what do folks think about strong discernment being valuable to the breed?

Discernment meaning how the dog in its mind separates what's real from what's not?

I think discernment in a dog would be when an obvious choice was made between actions. And the dog makes the best choice. I also think that this trait might not be allowed to express itself as well in a kenneled dog vs. a dog who is allowed to move freely about in a home. I would reason that more choices between actions are offered on any given day to the uncrated or kenneled dog. JMO

Bee, if a dog is genetically an airhead, being uncrated isn't going to make it smarter.
A dog having discernment I think is having the instinct to tell the difference between a threatening situation or animal, including human, and non-threatening.
Maybe I'm off the track, but can't think of anything else it is.
As an example, whether a dog is crated or roaming at will, how does a dog react when it sees a snake? The dog's reaction (barring any training for such encounter) will be purely instinctual, or lack there of.

Joan, sure, there is instinct, but one gets better with discernment with real life experience, no matter what species, IMHO. I am talking more about situations that require finesse. For example, my Mojo opens gates. Beau is clueless. I have watched Mojo see how clueless Beau is, and actually opened the gate for him. I call that discernment, and would never have happened if he spent most of his time in a crate.

Also, as an illustration, I always remember the example of someone throwing a ball off a cliff, lets make it  sand dune cliff. It is said the difference between the Mal and the GSD, is the Mall would go over the cliff after the ball never breaking stride. The GSD would see there is no landing and would stop and investigate, before leaping, or decide to go another way. (I actually had a yellow lab that made that leap for a frisbee, I couldn't believe it!)

 

Many dog teams have saved their masters by refusing a command that would take them into a dangerous situation - thin ice for example.

Actually, Bee, the GSD would track down a labradoodle and send it over the cliff for the ball.  THAT's discernment......good dog!!!

LOL@Blitzen

Yes, I would agree with you on your example, too, that type of appropriate refusal, requires discernment. I think there must be a choice involved, and a discerning dog, will make the best choice. Survival can depend on it!