Working animals

[Randy]

Think of an example of an animal that helps people to work (like a farm dog) and try to describe what the animal does in that job.

Do you think these animals are happy to work in this way?

 

[Smiley]

Canaries help(ed?) the coal miners to determine if it's safe to be in the mine or not. They take the cage with a canary in it into the mine, and if the canary drops dead at any moment, it means that dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide have accumulated in the mine, thus warning the miners to immediately exit the tunnels.

 

[passenger]

I think that herding dogs definitely enjoy their work; and, lacking flocks & herds to work with, they seem to really enjoy learning "agility games", most any new things.
Flock protector type dogs also seem to enjoy their work; although on a 'normal' day their work is far less energetic than herding types.....mostly just watching for predators.

Llamas are also good flock protectors. Llamas have the advantage of height; they naturally seem to thoroughly relish kicking the shit out of approaching dogs or coyotes.

 

[PGen98]

Agreed, herding dogs absolutely love their jobs, love working in the fields all day. Other animals...I'm not sure. I suppose Horses would like to work if it involves a lot of running (not racing).

 

[passenger]

Agreed, herding dogs absolutely love their jobs, love working in the fields all day. Other animals...I'm not sure. I suppose Horses would like to work if it involves a lot of running (not racing).

I wonder about horses, mules. Maybe they enjoy racing...I dunno; I think that sport should be history, though...definitely animal cruelty involved IMO. Horses pulling carts, military horses, farm-ranch horses: beasts of burden, useful workers, yes, BUT....???


These kids are having fun....not sure about the donkeys, though; hard to tell :

 

[PGen98]

I wonder about horses, mules. Maybe they enjoy racing...I dunno; I think that sport should be history, though...definitely animal cruelty involved IMO. Horses pulling carts, military horses, farm-ranch horses: beasts of burden, useful workers, yes, BUT....???


These kids are having fun....not sure about the donkeys, though; hard to tell :

Very valid points, there's no way to know if they're suffering doing the things they do. Also totally agree about horse racing, and dog racing, and any other "performing animal" sports...it's cruel.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

I know guide dogs who work with blind people love doing their job and they are super smart!

Canaries help(ed?) the coal miners to determine if it's safe to be in the mine or not. They take the cage with a canary in it into the mine, and if the canary drops dead at any moment, it means that dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide have accumulated in the mine, thus warning the miners to immediately exit the tunnels.

I'll bet those canaries didn't love their jobs!

I think that herding dogs definitely enjoy their work;

Yes, what they do is in their DNA it seems like!

 

[Vaeve]

Lmao you're telling me I can reduce my work using slave animal labor? Brb about to get pets

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Lmao you're telling me I can reduce my work using slave animal labor? Brb about to get pets

It'll take you a looooong time to train them tho.

 

[Vaeve]

It'll take you a looooong time to train them tho.

Slave owner problems, man.