Throughout history, humans and dogs have shared a special bond, with our genomes evolving together. As humans, we have influenced the appearance and behavior of domestic dogs all around the world. Our ability to communicate with dogs is a key factor in the enduring love between our species.
However, despite our strong connection, communication between dogs and humans can sometimes be confusing. It’s important to take the time to discover effective strategies for effectively getting your message across to your furry friend. This can prevent frustration for both of you. Keep in mind that every dog is unique, and their individual quirks and history can influence their preferences.
When you yell at your dog, they can sense your frustration, but they may not understand why you are upset, especially if you are reacting to something they did in your absence, like chewing on a shoe or having an accident. The word “No!” is often used in various situations, but it does not provide your dog with the necessary information to modify their behavior. In fact, it may not even indicate what they did wrong.
Instead of relying on “No!” or yelling, it is more effective to communicate with your dog using basic training cues. These cues can help them understand which behaviors are desirable and which are not. Instead of saying “No!”, try using commands like “Sit!” or “Leave it!” For instance, if your dog jumps up to greet you, instruct them to “Sit!” This command clearly communicates that you prefer them to keep their paws on the ground, solving the problem of jumping.
Similarly, if your dog is showing interest in the pizza on your plate, use the command “Leave it!” This command tells them to move away from the tempting object, redirecting their behavior to something more desirable. Since dogs cannot speak, their primary means of communication is through body language. Their ears, tail, mouth, eyes, and overall posture all convey messages.
Our dogs rely heavily on non-verbal cues, just like we do. However, sometimes the messages we try to convey through our bodies can get lost in translation. This is why many trainers choose to use hand signals instead of verbal cues when teaching basic commands like “sit” and “down”.
The challenge with communicating through body language is that our dogs and ourselves have had completely different life experiences. Unlike our furry friends, we don’t have tails to express our emotions. So, understanding the subtle differences in our dog’s tail positions can be quite tricky. There are many ways to help bridge these communication gaps and we will discuss these options in coming blog posts.