Radical Responsibility
Gillian Scarpino
It all starts with your level of commitment
I am currently taking a business course and in one of the modules the instructor was talking about 100% commitment and radical responsibility. He was explaining that when we give ourselves permission to be completely honest with ourselves about the level of commitment we have been giving something, we see it for what it really is. We have a jumping off point. The initial assessment. The truth. For many people, this is hard to do. We are afraid to tell the truth, even to ourselves, because we know we have been lacking. We have been making excuses, even justifiable ones. But when you take the judgement out of it, the labels fall away, too. You’re not a bad person if you weren’t 100% committed to something and you’re not necessarily a good person if you were. However, you are a better person if you can accept that perhaps you’ve been avoiding taking radical responsibility. Because once you accept that, you can change it. Awareness does so much of the work for us.
As with most things, I couldn’t stop thinking about how this applies to dog training. How many of us can say that we are 100% committed to helping our dogs live their best lives? Because this means sacrificing some things ourselves. It means adopting some new habits, which take time and energy. It means getting out of our own heads so we can be present in the moment with our dogs, completely tuned into them so we can decipher their needs and figure out in real time the best ways to communicate with them. It means anticipating their needs 20 minutes, 5 hours, and even 4 years in the future, managing situations and consistently setting them up for success. It means advocating for them, even when your loving mother just wants to love on them when they are jumping all over her. It means learning to say no and set boundaries, and it means taking a stand and deciding that changing yourself in order to best help your dog is worth it, even if it might be difficult at first.
It’s not just a series of techniques and strategies that will help you with any unwanted behaviors, it’s your mindset, and your level of commitment. It’s radical responsibility. If you take away your excuses, you will gain a relationship with your dog that you didn’t even know could exist. And I think we can all agree, the love of a dog is worth it!
Follow Kiah's progress in training, socialization, & coexistence with other dogs. Get tips for your puppy's development today!
Read about Stryker's journey from anxiety to joy through dedicated training. Build trust with your dog today!
Read about our journey with Kiah, an 8-week-old boxer puppy. Get tips on training & fostering good relationships among dogs.
Timely vaccinations are vital for your dog's health. Stay updated on Bordetella & ensure your pet's safety. Contact us for guidance!
Learn the truth about board and train myths. Understand why lasting dog behavior change needs time & consistency. Contact us for effective training!
Learn how to lead your dog pack for their happiness & safety. Ensure a stress-free environment for your pets. Contact us today!
Follow Kiah's progress in training, socialization, & coexistence with other dogs. Get tips for your puppy's development today!
Read about Stryker's journey from anxiety to joy through dedicated training. Build trust with your dog today!
Read about our journey with Kiah, an 8-week-old boxer puppy. Get tips on training & fostering good relationships among dogs.
Timely vaccinations are vital for your dog's health. Stay updated on Bordetella & ensure your pet's safety. Contact us for guidance!
Learn the truth about board and train myths. Understand why lasting dog behavior change needs time & consistency. Contact us for effective training!
Learn how to lead your dog pack for their happiness & safety. Ensure a stress-free environment for your pets. Contact us today!
Learn tips for managing unpredictable dogs during winter fun. Keep your pets safe & engaged with our expert training. Contact us today!
Learn how to adapt dog training to life's surprises. Join us for effective obedience tips & daycare services for your furry friend.
Read about our journey adopting Stryker, a middle-aged Great Dane/Mastiff mix. Learn about dog training & family integration.
Learn why muzzles aren't signs of aggression. Understand their role in training & socialization for safer dog interactions.