Honest Dogs
Are you honest?
A number of professional fighters train at our facility in Denver. One of the fighters tends to bring his dog, an Alaskan Malamute named Cody, to the facility while they work out.
I was coaching these guys through a conditioning workout recently. The men were pushing through sprints on a prowler and Cody was meandering back and forth among the bustle.
In the world of dogsledding many dogs, when fatigued, will stop pulling with any real effort, but still keep just enough tension on their harnesses that it's hard to tell that they're no longer working hard.
There are some dogs though, that never stop digging into their harnesses with all of their strength, even under severe fatigue. These dogs are generally placed at the lead position on the harness, and are referred to as "honest dogs," a term of considerable respect.
The first thing that was impressed up on me when I started working with the fighters was the sheer effort that they put into everything they did in their workouts. They have a developed a camaraderie that revolves around physical intensity and the sort of mutual respect that comes from shared suffering. It's an atmosphere that I've missed a good deal since leaving the world of military special operations.
It occurred to me while watching them grind out the prowler sprints, with Cody alongside providing moral support, that the reason they've made it to the upper echelons of the fighting world is that they share the same traits as the sled dogs that earn the place in the lead harness position; the honest dogs. They never stop putting out, even when their bodies are wracked with exhaustion.
They could easily slack off a little on the prowler; push it a little slower or turn it around a bit early and pretend they didn't notice, but they don't. They're honest, too.
Take a moment and consider how this applies to your daily activities. Whether it's at work, while spending time with your family or grinding out the last set of pullups at the gym, you are the only person who's truly going to know if you are putting yourself entirely into that activity or if you're really only doing just enough to appear that way.
Comments for This Entry
White Fang!
Posted on 11:08AM on March 05, 2010 [permalink]
I meant to comment on this post as soon as it had come up. A wonderful point to write a post on! Its so true - often you are the only one who knows what is going on. But Ithink its worth it to be an honest dog because as they say you can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time but you cannot fool all the people all the time! Meaning you will get caught so buckle up!
Posted on 12:46AM on March 08, 2010 [permalink]
Great point, and also a similar point of view held by the legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden. I believe his ultimate definition of success was the knowledge that you - and you alone- gave as close to your 100% effort in whatever you did.
"Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming."
Thank you for your blog Craig. It is motivating me to really live and improve my life each day.
Posted on 12:34PM on May 10, 2010 [permalink]
I had and Alaskan Husky who left me a few years ago due to age, illness etc. All I can say is that while he was alive, and he and I hiked all over Washington State etc is that he never slacked off, never gave up and always gave his all. In reading this blog however I am not sure I have always done the same, however it is something I will reflect about from now on. Thanks for sharing it.
Posted on 08:20PM on June 12, 2010 [permalink]
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