Why I Don’t Apologize for Correcting My Dog (And You Shouldn’t Either)
Last month, I watched a woman at the park repeatedly calling her Lab mix while he ignored her completely, chasing squirrels and approaching every stranger with muddy paws. After ten minutes of ineffective “Buddy, come! Please come! Treat? BUDDY COME HERE!” she finally caught him and muttered, “Sorry, we’re positive-only in our training.”
I couldn’t help but wonder: who was that approach actually positive for?
Not for Buddy, who clearly had no reliable skills to keep him safe. Not for the woman, whose frustration was visible from fifty yards away. And certainly not for the picnicking family whose lunch Buddy had just investigated.
The Uncomfortable Truth About Dog Training
After working with over 800 dogs in my career, I’ve come to a conclusion that might ruffle some feathers: meaningful correction isn’t just acceptable in dog training – it’s an essential act of love.
When Mark brought his Shepherd mix to me after she’d broken free and chased a cyclist, he was terrified. “I’ve been told I should never correct her because it will damage our bond,” he explained. “But I’m more afraid she’ll get hit by a car.”
Six weeks later, that same dog was enjoying off-leash hikes with rock-solid recall – because we’d finally communicated clearly about boundaries. Our relationship wasn’t damaged; it was transformed.
What Real Correction Actually Looks Like
Let’s be clear: I’m not talking about harsh punishment or intimidation. I’m talking about the same kind of clear boundary-setting you’d use with a child about to touch a hot stove.
When my best friend told me my behavior at a party was inappropriate, it stung. But I respected her enough to listen, and our friendship grew stronger because she cared enough to have that uncomfortable conversation.
Dogs deserve that same respect and clarity.
When Sarah’s Golden Retriever stopped responding to “leave it” around food, we implemented a swift, clear correction. Within three sessions, he could walk past chicken bones on the sidewalk without a second glance. That’s not just a party trick – it’s potentially life-saving communication.
The Freedom That Comes From Boundaries
I took my dog to the beach yesterday. He ran through the waves, played with friendly dogs, and explored driftwood piles – all off-leash. When a family with small children approached, one quick “here” had him trotting back to my side where he stayed until they passed.
That freedom wasn’t free. It was earned through clear communication, consistent expectations, and yes – appropriate correction when necessary.
Children who grow up without boundaries become anxious adults who don’t understand social norms. Dogs without clear limits become nervous, uncertain companions who can never be fully trusted.
Is that really the “positive” outcome we’re aiming for?
The Guardrails Theory
Think of corrections as guardrails on a mountain road. They don’t restrict your journey – they make more adventurous travel possible.
When Pete’s reactive Cattle Dog mix first came to me, she couldn’t walk down a suburban street without lunging at passersby. After implementing clear boundaries and appropriate corrections for breaking those boundaries, she now hikes off-leash in state parks and joins him at outdoor cafés.
The guardrails didn’t limit her world. They expanded it exponentially.
What Dogs Actually Want
After a decade studying canine behavior, I’ve become convinced of something that contradicts much of today’s training dialogue: dogs crave clarity more than they crave constant approval.
Look at well-balanced dog packs. They don’t operate on constant praise and treats. They use clear, sometimes firm communication to establish boundaries and expectations.
When Lisa’s anxious rescue finally understood that certain behaviors would receive immediate, clear correction, something remarkable happened. His anxiety decreased dramatically. He stopped pacing, stopped stress-whining, and started sleeping soundly for the first time since adoption.
He wasn’t traumatized by boundaries. He was liberated by them.
The Ultimate Act of Respect
Providing clear, consistent correction when needed isn’t something I do despite loving dogs. It’s something I do because I respect them as intelligent beings capable of learning and growth.
When I correct my dog for blowing off a recall command, I’m saying:
I believe you’re smart enough to understand expectations
I respect you enough to be honest about boundaries
I love you enough to ensure your safety, even when it’s momentarily uncomfortable
The result isn’t a cowering, fearful dog. It’s a confident companion who understands the rules of our world and can therefore enjoy unprecedented freedom within it.
The Way Forward
If you’re hesitant about incorporating appropriate correction into your training, ask yourself: what’s really behind that hesitation? Is it truly what’s best for your dog, or is it what makes you feel most comfortable in the moment?
The most loving thing we can do for our dogs isn’t to shield them from all consequences. It’s to provide the clear, consistent guidance they need to thrive in a human world full of expectations and potential dangers.
Because at the end of the day, a dog who understands boundaries is a dog who can enjoy the ultimate freedom: your complete trust.
