🐩Discipline, Determination, and Dog Names

My dog is named Jetson—though I’m not sure he knows that.

This month, I returned to Vermont. Beyond reconnecting with family and nature, I saw my dog for the first time in several months. However, my excited ‘Jetson!’s were met with utter indifference.

“Remember that a person’s name is to that person, the sweetest and most important sound in any language.”―Dale Carnegie

I quickly found that with all the varying nicknames, copious treats, and lack of obedience training, he had forgotten his name. (His hearing is fine. The doctor checked.)

I’ve observed that he has become anxious given his lack of training, and I believe Jetson’s example contains useful lessons about discipline and desire.

There is the question: If you never learn a language, do you still think? Or more generally, is your cognition limited by your vocabulary?

Jetson might have an answer…yes.

While I love him dearly, Jetson answers to a new master: food.

The other night, Jetson smelled treats on top of a piano and yipped and squirmed until he was released. He loudly scrambled onto the piano, but still couldn’t reach the treats, much to his chagrin. While Jetson was visibly uncomfortable being tempted by the treats, my uncle’s well-trained dog, Stitch, was calm. He knew the treats would come with discipline and time. It would seem to me that, although discipline is difficult, it is far better than my 21-pound furball’s unrestrained desire-driven fervor.

Jetson reminded me of Paul Graham’s essay The Anatomy of Determination. Graham asserts that determination is the #1 predictor of startup success; however, it must be moderated by discipline. Determination without discipline is dangerous, as evidenced by Jetson’s single-minded pursuit of treats. His will is strong, but it’s ruled by impulse, not intention.

While it’s hard for old dogs to learn new tricks, I still have hope that my 11-year-old pup will develop self-control. Regardless, Jetson impresses on me the importance of being your own master—not just having the will to act, but the restraint to act wisely.

"Man cannot remake himself without suffering, for he is both the marble and the sculptor"- Alexis Carrel

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