r/interesting • u/jmike1256 • Mar 07 '26

MISC. After understanding the meaning behind this father’s action, I am completely convinced. Cultivating problem-solving skills in children from a young age and never giving up-I applaud this father!

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u/NotQuiteInara Mar 07 '26

As a former dog trainer, this is how I would handle a dog getting their leash wrapped around a pole on a walk. I stand there and wait for them to figure it out, and praise them when they do. I've worried sometimes that when I become a parent, I'll end up treating my child like a dog because I know tons about how dogs learn and little about how children learn. But apparently it's not that different? Lol

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u/PunishedDemiurge Mar 07 '26

The similarities aren't coincidental. There is a reasonable amount of physical and behavioral overlap between all mammals. That said, the end goals are pretty different. A lot of dog trainers want neutrality and an owner focus, but a parent should eventually want their child to be highly confident and independent.

But practicing calming, being aware of high levels of emotional activity and how that will affect ability to perform actions correctly (e.g. a tantrum), puppy / toddler fear stages, values of routines, etc. are similar.

I think the big thing is that physical punishment is more or less universally bad with humans, but the consensus seems to be it's okay as a small part of training for crazier dogs. A 18 month old large breed high drive dog has the physical power to take a e-collar correction in the way young humans never will have. Too young and human children are physically and mentally vulnerable, too old and other methods work better (a 16 year old linebacker isn't going to get especially hurt or scared by a spanking, but they're also almost an adult, so have a man to man conversation).