HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR DOG
How many of you have wished your dog could speak with you? He does, but it isn’t with words. According to research, dogs have their style of interacting with their owners and other dogs. In fact, dogs are as excellent as you train them to listen because being a great listener would make a dog irreplaceable as your buddy.
Once dogs haven’t yet undergone obedience training and have not been trained to listen and follow orders, they are more likely to be noticed off guard or misbehave. This is because dogs will obey visual cues like human gaze and gesturing when they don’t know where to look or listen.
Continue reading to find out how to be a better communicator as well as to enhance your connection with your lovely dog.
- USE HAND AND BODY GESTURES
To improve communication with your pet, strive as much as possible to match a verbal cue with a body signal cue or gesture. The open hand signal, which is performed while teaching puppies to sit, works effectively. Simply open your palm whenever you say “sit,” and your dog will learn that the action alone serves as an order. After a while, all you’ll have to do is open your hand, and your dog will sit.
When you take your dog to a crowded environment or anywhere where hearing is difficult, this is an extremely useful way of communication. As you combine hand signals with orders, you provide yourself with another option to communicate with your dog, which can be crucial in an emergency.
2. SHOW YOUR DOG HOW TO BEHAVE
Giving your dog a time-out from his actions, as well as saying “no” or “stop” are effective techniques to prevent unwanted behavior. As you show your pet how to behave, they will eventually behave not and adequately display undesired behavior. And if your dog did well, don’t forget to give them a treat!
3. VERBAL SIGNALS
People frequently repeat orders out of impatience during a training session, which is not good. When training your dog, it is preferable to use cue words only once so that they follow directions quickly just after the first verbal signal. Some trainers advise against using verbal signals unless your dog has mastered the desirable behaviors. Discuss with your trainer when a verbal cue should be added, based on the individual skill and your dog’s progress.
4. SPEAK LESS
The more you speak or repeat things to your dog, the more puzzled, they will get. While training, it is advisable to offer a verbal signal once and later help your dog luring if needed. Resist rephrasing your verbal cue, such as “Come over!” becoming “Hop over here, mate!” as this will confuse your dog. Allow the treats to speak for themselves!
THE BOTTOM LINE
Above all, understanding how to appropriately interact with your dog is the only way to ensure that they obey your orders even in the most challenging and stressful conditions. Indeed, you’ll be astounded by the results of showing your dog how you want them to behave in a language they understand.
