Unlearning Learned Helplessness

Every part of me right now is wanting to fold up into a fetal position and cry. The state park that owns and operates the dog park in which I travel with my canine companions, is threatening to make radical changes that will close down my Dog Adventures forever. Leash areas, no more than 2 dogs per person, extra fees for useage and shrinking down the park by fencing off areas for special use. All this is presented as "improvements" to solve problems that don't actually exist. As it presently functions, the off-leash dog park is a miraculous study of a community that regulates itself with amazing effectiveness. They are literally trying to "fix something that ain't broke," and will actually break it in the process. Their extensive surveys revealed that 88-96% of the users are happy with how it all is run right now. Nothing ever gets that high of a percentage of satisfaction! BUT, the hunting dog trainers, who, in the state park's own surveys, only constitute 4% of the users, want exclusive rights to large chunks of the park... and 2 of the 3 suggested maps for changing the park carve out 25-35% of the park just for this 4%'s exclusive useage. So much for objective surveys and democratic decisions. Having been bull-dozed by such power plays in the past, I am tempted to just curl up and cry. Why try when nothing you say or do makes a difference?

I remember reading about a psychological study in college where dogs were put in an enclosed area with no way of escape. The floor was wired to give off a mild but aversive electrical shock. Uncomfortable, the dogs searched high and low for a way to get out of that area, but to no avail. After living in that scenario for a while, the walls on one side were lowered, now making escape a possibility for the dogs. Surprisingly, none of the dogs even tried to jump that wall, even though they could have done so easily. Conclusion? "Learned helplessness." The dogs had been conditioned to believe there was nothing they could do to change their living situation. They simply had to live with the aversive stimuli.

That's exactly where I am right now! Watching them turn up the electrical shock and feeling absolutely helpless to do anything about it! If 96% of our feedback meant nothing to them, how will my little voice make a difference? When I read about those dogs being shocked, I wanted to yell out to them, "Hey, check out the wall now...things have changed...you can do something about your pain...just try!" Soooo, that's what I need to say to myself right now. "Unlearn your 'learned helplessness', Lynette! At least have the tenacity to try!"

Pray for me as I write letters, contact news stations and newspapers and voice my opinions at an "open" forum tomorrow (Thurs., April 15th) that the state park is holding to discuss their planned proposals. Predictably they have not advertised this meeting effectively to the users of the dog park. They printed off about 3 notices on 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of computer paper and stapled them in obscure areas where the rain quickly caused the ink to run and the wind rolled them up into a tight little scroll. With feigned sincerity they will conduct their "open" forum, with 85% of the park users, oblivious to the fact that it is even going on. But then again, even when that 85% did voice their opinion, it was ignored anyway. "Lynette, quit whining and turn your helplessness into action!"