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Originally Posted by Double Naught Spy
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I think a true sheep dog would feel obligated to protect the sheep buy trying to stop the threat.
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This is where the Grossman analogy is really poor. You have two primary types of sheepdogs. Both types are engaged in keeping the sheep captive at the command of a master (who isn't a dog at all). You have herding dogs and guarding dogs. The dogs perform out of training and genetics, not obligation. They don't really have personal choice. Plus, sheepdogs do what they do all the time. They don't have jobs elsewhere. They don't worry if they will ever seen their family again. It is a way of life and how they live....
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Also, people tend to ignore the true lesson of the parable: The sheepdog appears much like the wolf and therefore will tend to be treated with suspicion by the sheep. Grossman was trying to help understand the sorts of emotional barriers one finds between individuals in military and police service and persons who are not.