Dogs don’t speak English, and let’s face it—most humans aren’t fluent in ‘Dog’ either! This communication gap is often where confusion arises, leading to frustration for both you and your four-legged friend. The good news? Dogs are fantastic at learning when we communicate in ways they understand.
How Dogs Naturally Communicate
Dogs primarily rely on body language, repetition, and reward-based learning to interpret the world around them. Unlike humans, they don’t process long sentences or commands the way we do, so our actions and tone matter far more than our words.
The Role of Body Language in Training
When teaching a dog a new behaviour, our body language often plays a bigger role than the verbal command itself. For example, let’s look at teaching a puppy to sit:
You say "sit", but your puppy just stares at you, unsure what you mean.
You repeat it, hoping they will magically understand.
Meanwhile, the puppy is trying to guess what you want. As they continue looking up at you, gravity helps their bottom lower to the ground.
You react excitedly—“Good puppy!”—and offer a reward.
Through this, your puppy connects their action (sitting) with your response (praise and reward). Over time, they start offering the behaviour more readily, eventually linking it to the command word.
Key Takeaway: Dogs learn by observing and responding to our body movements first. The words we use are secondary!
The Three Pillars of Effective Dog Communication
For training success, focus on these three key elements:
✔ Body Language: Be conscious of your posture, hand signals, and eye contact. Your dog is always watching and interpreting your movements.
✔ Repetition: Consistency is key. Repeating an action and response helps your dog understand what you want.
✔ Reward: Make sure the reward is something your dog finds valuable—whether it’s a tasty treat, a favourite toy, or simple praise.
Is Your Dog Really ‘Ignoring’ You?
Many owners assume their dog is being stubborn or naughty when they don’t respond to a command. In reality, they may simply be confused. When a dog doesn’t comply, ask yourself:
Am I being consistent with my cues and body language?
Does my dog fully understand what I’m asking?
Are there too many distractions making it hard for them to focus?
Is my reward enticing enough?
By adjusting how you communicate, you set your dog up for success rather than frustration.
Putting It All Together
The next time you train your dog, take a moment to observe your own body language and tone. Try reducing the words you use and instead focus on clear, intentional movements. You may be surprised at how quickly your dog starts responding!
At thedogcalmer, we specialise in helping owners bridge the communication gap with their dogs. Want to strengthen your bond and improve training results? Book a session with us today!
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