“Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.” (Quote heard from Brene Brown)
This quote hit me hard. So simple, yet so significant. And like so many other things in life, while this didn’t originate about dog training, it resonates so true in the world of working with and living with dogs.
One of the biggest problems my clients have with their dogs is being able to clear things up for the dog. In many cases it is hard for them to be clear for several different reasons, including, but not limited to the fear they have of hurting the dog’s feelings, of hurting the relationship and how their dog views them, and often times because the owner themselves is not clear.
But as this quote says, to be unclear is unkind. For our dogs, that couldn’t be more true.
If we do not clear things up for our dogs, that can often lead to frustration and upset, on both our and our dog’s part, when future behaviors develop. How can we expect our dog’s behaviors to change if we are not being clear? Remember, with every interaction we have with our dogs we are giving our dogs feedback about what we like and will allow, or what we don’t like and won’t allow. If we can’t be clear on what we like and don’t like, that’s a problem and not giving them the information they need to be successful in the future.
So how can we be clear with our dogs? By creating boundaries and reinforcing them. Another huge way to offer clarity for dogs: corrections. For so many people, the word corrections can make us cringe, feel bad, or even feel angry that people would correct a dog. But here is the thing: corrections bring clarity. They communicate and support the dog in a way that makes sense to the dog.
When I say corrections, different examples may pop in your head based on your perception and your experiences. So let me try to explain what I mean when I say corrections. First of all, it is important to note that corrections are going to be different based on the dog, the situation, the exact moment. A correction can be something so simple as blocking the dog with your leg so they can’t bolt out the door. A correction can be you giving a little tug on the leash so your dog doesn’t drag you down or hurt their trachea, it can be you pushing down on their hips, asking them to back off and giving them a tug on the leash if they don’t. Corrections can be really soft, subtle, barely noticeable to anyone watching, or they can be firm and assertive—done to clear things up.
In my personal experience, corrections provide clarity. They communicate and offer support. They can stop behaviors that left uncorrected can continue an escalate, causing more frustration and upset for both the human and the dog in the future.
Clarity is such an important part of communication. Are you being clear with your dog? Are you telling them no and supporting them in a way that is fair to them and fair to the situation? If not, what is stopping you from doing so?
If it is because you are unclear yourself on how to provide clarity for your dog, I would be happy to help you with that. Please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask.
Also feel free to look into our Ace of Space Workshop, set for Tuesday, January 26th at 7:00pm. In this workshop we will discuss the importance of setting boundaries and influencing space. Of course clarity and communication is a huge part of that!