Less is More, She Says Again, and Again and . . .
I’m just back from a “Writer’s Retreat” organized by the Madison Writer’s Studio. It was a glorious three days, full of inspiration, support, and teachings about the craft of writing. I’m grateful to Jim for holding down the fort, and for Susanna Daniel and Michelle Wildgen, the forces behind the MWS, for organizing such a empowering event. Given that I’m starting work on my second novel (see below for news about the first!!), the timing of this retreat was perfect.
There were workshops on Plot, Voice, Character, and Setting, but in every session the fact that “less is more” came up repeatedly. For example, in his book, On Writing, Stephen King said “Adverbs are not your friend.” King quotes his teacher John Gould as saying “When you write a story, you’re telling yourself the story. When you rewrite, your main job is taking out all the things that are not the story.” Almost all writers have to do it–take out words that add unnecessary weight while revising draft one, draft four, draft twenty two of a manuscript. I certainly did it (and am no doubt not done) with my first novel.
Here’s an example of less is more from our workshop on Voice, taught beautifully by Christopher Chambers. You may, (or may not), be surprised that it’s an excerpt from James Patterson’s Sundays at Tiffany’s. “Michael was running as fast as he could, racing down thickly congested streets . . . “. Sounds interesting. But. What if you read “Michael was racing down congested streets . . .”? Doesn’t racing already imply going as fast as one can? How does the word “thickly” add to the concept of congested streets? We got that they are busy streets already, right?
Less is more. And not just in writing. I’ve talked before about the importance of keeping things clear when working with clients, and early this year I wrote about the same topic–How Dog Training and Editing are the Same. So why write about it again? Because I was reminded the weekend before, at a three-day sheepdog clinic with Paddy Fanning, how hard it is for us humans to be clear. And how tiring it must be for dogs, especially dogs working at a high level under time pressure.
I’ve been working Skip this week using as few cues as I can manage, and it feels like it’s making his life better. Here’s the question I have for you: Why do we humans chatter so much? Why is it so hard for us to say less, not more? Both verbally and when writing? I await your wisdom.
Speaking of writing: Uh, I MAY have some big news for lovers of mystery novels very soon. I wish I could spill the beans, but all I can say is things are happening (finally, the MS was done in January) and I hope to have an announcement soon. That does NOT mean that the book is about to come out next month! Soonest is, help me take a breath, a year and a half from signing with a publisher. My saying “But I’m 75. And a half!” has no effect on the world of publishing, which seems to move at a different speed than many of us. So . . . maybe late winter/early spring 2026? Cross your paws.
MEANWHILE, back on the farm: Not much today, because if I don’t spend the rest of my energy typing up my prolific notes from the writing retreat it will never happen. Besides, Maggie and Skip would like to work sheep after their involuntary break from herding while I was gone.
But here’s my immediate family, taking a break at the Paddy Fanning clinic. This photo makes my heart sing. I am the luckiest woman in the world.
Here’s more happiness: The backyard day lily garden, drunk on all the rain we’ve had in the last two months:
And more flowers in the front:
I’m hoping there is a lot of happiness in your life right now. Tell us about it, and why you think it is SO HARD for us humans to stop tiring out our dogs with extraneous chatter? I’d go on about this, but, you know . . . , less is more.
31 Comments
SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL
About the Author
Patricia B. McConnell, PhD, CAAB Emeritus is an applied animal behaviorist who has been working with, studying, and writing about dogs for over twenty-five years. She encourages your participation, believing that your voice adds greatly to its value. She enjoys reading every comment, and adds her own responses when she can.
LEARN MORE FROM PATRICIA’S BOOKS & DVDs!
Patricia is known the world over for her clear and engaging books and DVDs on dog training and canine behavior problems. You can also “meet” Patricia in person on her seminar DVDs, from The Art & Science of Canine Behavior to Treating Dog-Dog Reactivity.
I love all your photos showing so well what you treasure!
I know that I chattered to my dog in class to reassure myself and convince everyone else that I knew that it wasn’t going well and that I was trying to do something about it.
It took me a long time to realise that the trainers that I admired were still and quiet and much, much longer to cultivate that in myself.
It’s also about trusting dogs. A lot of the time, we don’t need to chat or point or do it for them. We just have to shut up, stand still and let them work it out for themselves.
It’s hard for owners to release that training is not about demonstrating success at goals but about understanding what is happening at steps along the way towards the goal.
I wish that lessons on giving instructions were on the school curriculum. Distilling information that we give out when coaching is also a less is more skill (that I found hard to cultivate!) Of course, that’s also with teachers that use positive reinforcement (non-existent for most of my life).
Love the photos, (especially the one of your family – I too – am blessed in that way) am envious of your writer’s workshop experience, totally understand on wanting to get out and work the dogs and your gardens are stunning!
Less is definitely more in so many aspects of life especially enjoyment of life itself when you spend your time to take care of yourself, instead of your stuff, as we get older.
Finally, the day I quit “nagging” Boo was the day we began to work as a team.
Words, or less of them and more intention, matter.
Love reading your work – can’t wait for more info on the book!
Since my husband died, I chatter much more to my dog because it’s just the two of us! We are being coached in agility, however, and I’m realizing that not only do I have to be aware of her every moment, but I also have to be more aware of myself — when I am moving and how fast, when I slow down or stop, when I turn my head or shoulders or even glance in another direction, because Sunny takes every little thing I do as a cue, much more than anything I say.
I raised a beautiful parti cocker spaniel, born deaf. That’s when I started being less talky with the dogs. Max was amazing and would have won obedience titles like crazy. Deaf dogs were not allowed to compete….has that changed? His abilities with sign language was a thing of beauty. I could sign him almost anything.
I walk the woods with 6 dogs and speak hardly at all. My dogs listen better without chatter. (I do sing out there. I sang for my bread and butter for a long time.)
There are times when I talk and carry on with them. I just learned that less talk is less confusing for them.
So excited by your news and looking forward to your book! Here’s to the process going quickly while the rest of your time passes slowly and with ease.
Your garden is a slice of heaven. Thank you for sharing it. It was refreshing to see this glorious blooming. We have drought here and the entire season of berries died before maturity. The hungry deer and neighborhood bear have eaten everything right up the our doorstep. Our closest neighbor called fish and game, thinking the deer around his front door were ill as they failed to move even when he touched them. The FG Warden came out. The deer are just so hungry that they’ve overcome all fear of humans.
Reading about less is more reminded me of A River Runs Through It. Of Norman Maclean’s father and his “do it again, half as long”. This advice has been excellent for my personal writing but I have failed to apply it to my verbal communications. I am so impressed by those who write for publication; even more by those (like you) who do it well.
Thank you for your post. I look forward to your updates.
I agree. We talk too much. End of story.
Well said, Barb!
I think I’ve managed to work my chatter down a lot on my “strugglesome” dog walks, where I’m often discouraged by my inability to train the two puppies to just walk, not yank, pull, and jerk the leashes.
But I’m exhausted by the endless effort and repetition of commands. Training classes, online posts, websites, and many years of previous experience seem all for naught with these two “baby dinosaurs.” I would welcome comments and suggestions of how to talk these two youngins’ down without chattering at them. 🙂
I often pray aloud and speak to my dogs aloud because I’m working something out in my heart and mind that needs attention. There’s no better companion for that than a dog! God and dogs offer the best loving support without critical review.
Smiley face with thumbs up emoji
For Catherine: My experience with a deaf dog was also a game changer. It was years ago — he came in as a foster (golden retriever). Evidently nobody realized he was deaf during intake. When I figured it out and started to sign with him, I will NEVER EVER EVER forget the look on that sweet dog’s face as he realized I was actually communicating with him, in a way he could understand. God bless his sweet soul. His name was Bentley and yes…he became a foster failure. My grandkids absolutely adored him, as did I.
Nelda, thanks for making my heart all gooey. ❤️
I am absolutely the worst at this with my 2 Old English Sheepdogs. I speak to them in whole sentences as if they can understand me. When I lived in Scotland & attended the national sheepdog trial, I hung out with some very seasoned sheepdog folks who talked about why all their dogs are given names with 1 syllable. It’s the only thing dogs hear. I live alone (except for the boys) so I know it is because I am missing conversation. Thanks for the reminder since I have been having a challenge training my 9 month old.
Truly I’m so addicted to reading anything you write that I read about the over- use of adverbs! Though I don’t know you personally, you have been one of my greatest mentors in working with my beloved Australian Shepherds. We don’t herd, but we live full lives, and because of you we enjoy it!
When I hear people narrating their life as they are working with their dog, I’m reminded of the Gary Larson cartoon : blah, blah, blah, Ginger, blah, blah. Our dogs become masters of weeding out the important stuff from the background noise.
That’s because we are descendants of chimpanzees—we both touch and talk too much for the canine species.
I think the problem stems from our noisy world. We are constantly bombarded with sounds. Silence is unusual and makes many people uneasy. They feel a need to fill the void. So they chatter and their dogs put them on “wife mode” hearing only,”wah, wah, wah”, like the adult voices in the old Peanuts comic TV specials. I could continue but less is more!
Can’t wait to read your novel. I’m 72. Tell them to hurry!
Maybe we use too many words because we’re unsure of being heard and understood?
My Siberian Husky and I have conversations at home, often lengthy (he usually wins!) but on walks I keep it to short sled dog cues for direction (such as “on by”) or use my hand cue for the latter. I will verbally mark his correct responses and follow with a treat but that’s it. Thanks for a great post – especially the photos! Looks like a Thomas Kincaid painting!
To M.A. I had good luck training my beagle puppy to walk nice by “being a tree”. No words needed. You tie the leash around your waist, or loop it around, rather than hold it. Start walking. When puppy pulls too hard, just stop walking and be a tree, don’t move. Once the leash is relaxed, start walking again. It took a long time, and I got squeezed a lot, but it worked really well. Maybe take one pup at a time? Or use a coupler on one leash. But at least the baby dinos are cute, aren’t they?!
I work my dogs quietly, and I am constantly reprimanded for it by workshop leaders and other trainers. It has always seemed to me that my body means more to my dogs than my voice. I’ve recently started scent work with my youngest dog, and finally an instructor praises me for being quiet and letting my dog work!
There is so much stuff about dog training that I have learned. Now, if I could just DO IT. Yes, I talk too much. At least my dogs act like they like the sound of my voice 🙂
But I once told our son who was going to dog sit all the words the dogs knew. He said, “Mom, Casey doesn’t just understand words. He understands paragraphs.” So maybe talking all the time isn’t such a bad thing.
On another training subject, yesterday I actually did what I knew I should do instead of the bad instinct. We were in the very large soccer field area of the local park there were no humans around and only one dog way over in the dog park area. So out in the middle of the field I removed the leash to practice our usually very good recall. After putting Axel in a sit-stay, imagine my shock as I walked away and saw him racing off way to my left. Give me five stars for remembering to not yell his name but to RUN AWAY FROM HIM. He was with me within seconds getting lots of wild praise and cookies.
I am so envious of your gorgeous garden. Thank you for sharing. I live in a twenty-two acre forest with just a small area with enough sun for flowers. And lots of pots of annuals on the deck. I also have a handsome loving husband and two wonderful dogs. We are so blessed.
You are so on target! I am trying to only give Dash commands without all the extra words., it’s hard!!
I love your writing and instruction (and garden, of course). In a year and a half of having the extreme pleasure (and trial) of living with Jake, my rescue dog, I learned that I need to be still, and listen to him. The particulars of the issues with him aren’t as important as my realization that I wasn’t taking Jake’s perspective into consideration. When I did, he started turning around. He’s an extremely sensitive guy. He looks straight into your eyes (and soul). And he’s so much better now that he knows I’m seeing him. (I still yabber away at him when we’re not training though.)
I realise I use a lot of adverbs with my dogs – Gently, Politely, Quietly. I am very sure the dogs hear and translate the whole phrase – “Say hello nicely” encourages Freddy to greet humans he might otherwise have passed by but who are obviously longing to meet him. It came in handy when we had small children staying – a rare event and Freddy found their sudden movements and squeals hard to handle and would occasionally resort to barking at them. “Freddy, say hello nicely and sorry for barking” embedded the phrase he knew in words that made them very happy to accept his proffered attention and be friends again. I do burble at my dogs, but they seem to mostly work it out.
Coincidentally I got an email from my sister this morning describing her very small granddaughter’s advanced use of prepositions, due no doubt to frequent conversations with all the adults in her life. That is, after all, how children learn language and I wonder if we subconsciously apply the same approach to our animals. No matter how often I am told single syllables as isolated words work best I cannot stop myself saying Please, Thank you, and all the other woffle words!
Whether it’s a dog, cat or horse I think your tone of voice, body movement and facial expression are more important communication tools than words. Keeping things simple while training is important. However, the more you talk to your companion, the more words they will comprehend.
Frances – I also use please and thank you for nearly all cues. It helps me remember that I am requesting a behavior from a friend. Yes, I expect my dogs to do what I ask, but if I have to laugh and say, “Let’s try again”, well that’s okay.
“Michael was racing down congested streets . . .”
– Dry statement of fact
– No mention of the mode of transportation (Car? But how does one drag race through a traffic jam? Maybe weaving in and out with a motorcycle?)
– Not clear if the limiting factor is his top speed or the congestion
– High narrative speed implies that this is not a crucial scene/climax, just a way to get to scene B
“Michael was running as fast as he could, racing down thickly congested streets . . . ”
– Mode of transportation clear
– Clear that he has attained his top speed, obstacles are not slowing him down
– Juxtaposition of high character speed and low narration speed adds tension, implying that time is both slowing down and running out
– The alliteration of running/racing and could/congested with a similar spacing emphases these words (sonic intensity)
– The last two points imply that what is happening is important to both Michael and the narrator – and thus to me, the reader
Writing bare bones has a different effect than florid writing. Which is stronger depends on what effect is desired and on the preferences of the intended audience. Considering the quality of your posts and books, you already know this.
As for your question…
Personally, I tend to get chatty with my dogs for one of three reasons:
– I need a vessel for my tone of voice
– I want to mask the sound that they are not reacting to with praise
– I want to give information to fellow humans while giving my dogs as much of my attention as possible (“you don’t need to worry about our neighbor, he’s not going to hurt you”)
Obviously, there’s overlap.
Overall, I think human tend to talk to their dogs because humans are very vocal animals and genetic drives are hard to override.
I’ve had laryngitis twice. The first time, it freaked my dog out. I can’t read her mind, but it looked for all the world like the sudden lack of praise made Dolce think I didn’t love her anymore. After that, I made a point of having some training and cuddle sessions be entirely silent. By the time it happened again, I had different dogs. While they are both sensitive, the silence didn’t phase them.
I was thinking about this post yesterday evening, as I worked to get Rowan comfortable enough to eat dinner in the backyard. She’s still overcoming fireworks nerves 3+ weeks after the 4th of July. I chattered a lot as we played running-together games, to keep her focus on me and away from her anxieties. She started out clingy, then began to participate. After a few minutes of fast action and lots of verbal reinforcement, she was able to eat treats, then finally was comfortable enough to empty a kibble-filled Kong. So in that situation, “more (chatter) was more”.
Today, hiking off-leash up in the foothills, less was more. We hiked in near silence, with an occasional redirection from me to get her back on the trail after a chipmunk lured her off. When she’s engaged, the fewer words the better. When she’s ‘stuck’, chatter of a positive nature seems to help.
Also, along with Frances and Barbara, I say “Please” and “Thank you” a lot. I loved Barbara’s comment – that’s us too!
I will be ancient when your novel is published! Could you do a post about the process of getting a book published? Not a how-to, but a timeline? I can’t wrap my head around why it takes so long. The writer’s retreat sounds like it was great, and – be still my heart! – a second novel is incubating in your mind?!?!
I’m looking forward to reading your book.
Being more of a listener than a talker makes it nice for my dogs. I’ll use a tongue click for attention and a flick of my eyes to tell them what I want them to do as often as I’ll use a verbal cue or intentional gesture. Somewhere I read a study that vets that talk to their patients telling them what they’re about to do have fewer negative interactions with their patients. The theory was that when the vet describes what they’re doing their body reflects what they are describing and thus clues the dog what to expect. When I’m doing something to the dogs that they aren’t as familiar with I try to describe what I’m doing. I like to think that it helps the dog feel more comfortable.
Thanks for the photos of your gorgeous garden. I always look forward to seeing the beauty of your farm.