Soule: One Powerful Way A Dog Is Like A Cow

Click Here to Learn How Dogs are Like Cows

Two-month-old Scottish Highland steer Owen struggled against the lead rope. He pulled back, then leaped forward and followed with a flop. As he lay on the ground, his left eye peered balefully at me from between his shaggy bangs as if to say, "I don't want to do this." Minutes later, his tantrum over, he stood up. I untied his lead rope and led him, untethered, around the enclosed pen. He hesitated initially, then walked behind me like he'd done it his whole life.

Owen is now 18 months old and is willing to carry a small child on his back. Owen is a sweet boy and does everything he's asked. Last weekend, I put a pony harness on him and attached him to a small cart. He confidently walked off once he understood that he was supposed to pull the empty cart. He weighs about 500 pounds now, but someday, he'll be able to carry full-size adults on his back or pull a loaded cart.

Just as 2-month-old Owen threw a tantrum, dogs do the same thing. A dog might pull and snap when corrected, but within seconds, he'll get the idea and do what you want if you know Dog-speak, an essentially non-verbal language.

For instance, if your dog pulls on the leash, it's because he's walking in front of you. In Dog-speak, the one in front is in charge, so he'll do what he wants: pull on his leash and bark at other dogs.

Click Here to Learn How Dogs are Like Cows

Carole Soule is co-owner of Miles Smith Farm, where she raises and sells beef, pork, eggs, and other local products. Carole is also now a certified Life Coach who helps humans and K-9s achieve the impossible a little at a time. She can be reached at carole@soulecoaching.com.