Dog Speak

Working through any situation with your dog, whether commanded or behavioral, can be simplified if you understand where your dog is coming from. Understand that when your dog is confronted with scenarios they are unfamiliar with or stressed by, they will give calming signals and "talk" to you and others around. These are common, but deliberate, movements and actions that are meant to be understood and communicated with. An example, say you want to teach your dog a good Come When Called command - so after doing some research you try calling your dog over a short distance. Suppose you use a deep loud voice (you are the leader after all)...."Come here, Fido!"....Suppose your dog hears this stern call, looks at you directly and yawns....you call again, firmer because he did not obey..."COME HERE"....Suppose the dog now heads your diection in slow, meandering walk... OK, lets stop here and examine what we have. You give a command in a loud aggressive voice not used in everyday activity, it is completely possible (and likely) your dog hears the command and is consumed by the tone....he then issues you a calming signal (yawn) to let you know "all is ok" or to calm your stress by letting you know he is not stressed. You yell again, and this time he moves toward you continuing to give calming signals (meandering path, stop and sniff, head turns) while you continue to get frustrated at the lack of obedience.....when in actuality you have issued a command to a dog, the dog responded, when issued aggressively the dog responds again (in both cases the response is an attempt to calm you and appease you). Welcome to how dog owners and handlers meet an impasse. Welcome to the bigger picture - dogs have a language and most people dont take the time to learn it. The old days of punishing out behaviors are gone, they create dogs with minimal decision making ability, and a void of confidence. Cooperate with your dog, better yet speak his language. Once you understand the dogs natural ability and/or natural behaviors - you will have a much better chance of success in teaching him YOUR language.