Dogs communicate HOW?

Last month we explored the importance of mental and physical exercise. Now let’s explore how dogs communicate.  Dogs do not speak using words as humans do; they communicate through constant energy.   Of course some vocalization as in barking is one way, but not the only way that dogs communicate.   

Let’s start out thinking about a newborn puppy and their senses.  First the nose starts to work; then the eyes; then the ears.  The nose is the most powerful sense they use to relate and connect with their surroundings.  The mom or pack leader also uses calm-assertive energy to set rules and boundaries for how the puppy or dogs in the pack interact in their surroundings.  Think of yourself as that pack leader setting the rules and boundaries.  The pack leader enforces these laws in a quiet way; by energy. 

Humans often rely on verbal communication when they interact with dogs; “Come on, Rover, please, please come, I will give you a treat…” I think you get the picture.  The pack leader doesn’t negotiate to get what she wants.  No wonder your dog is ignoring you!

When you meet a dog for the first time, or when you are training your dog, share the same energy that they would receive from their pack leader.  This calm-assertive energy will let them understand who you are and really see you as the pack leader as well.

Check out Tail Tip 2 for more on communication and the Unspoken Rules.

Unspoken Rules in Dog Communication

The pack leader uses calm-assertive energy to set the rules and boundaries for how a dog interacts in their surroundings weather it is in the wild of the canine pack or in your household as humans, being the pack leader.   The pack leader doesn’t project emotional or nervous energy and neither should you.  If you don’t set the rules and boundaries in calm-assertive ways, your dog will not respect you.

Waiting is another way that pack leaders assert their position.  Puppies wait to eat until mom says its time.  Adult dogs wait to travel until the pack leader wants them to travel.  Waiting is a form of psychological work for the dog.  This means having your dog wait for their food for example, is a means of working which in turn is stimulating their mind.

Establish your position as pack leader by asking your dog to work.  Take them on a walk before you feed them and make sure they are in a calm submissive state at feeding time.  Also don’t give affection without your dog being in a calm-submissive state of energy.  Exercise will help your dog achieve this state especially a high-energy one.  Try this to further achieve this calm-submissive state at feeding time, ask your dog to sit and wait a moment while you place their food in the bowl.  When your dog is sitting patiently, give him/her the “OK” or “TAKE IT” command to eat.

Interact as canine parents with their puppies.  Begin your day with calm-assertive energy before you share emotions or excitement.  Establish rules and boundaries to create a healthy state of mind in the dog.  Finally, enjoy a simple walk, a primal activity for dogs accustomed to following pack leaders over hundreds of miles.  That mean your dog is to follow you or along side of you on your walk, never in front of you.  Remember you are creating a follower in your dog and YOU are the pack leader.  This will say more than any word ever could.

Check next month’s tips for more on the “Pack Mentality”.

Barking and Growling

Last month we addressed unwanted behaviors of chewing and digging.  What about excessive barking and growling for example does your dog bark or growl when a stranger approaches your house or when something goes bump in the night?  As I said in the previous tips one means of communication is vocalization.  Most dogs will vocalize when they are exposed to new or different situations, including strange people or animals entering their territory; being separated from their pack, mother or even your family members; or new and alarming sounds.  Dogs may also bark or growl when they see prey, such as squirrels, and they may bark for attention, food or if they are anxious.

Correcting a barking or growling problem first requires that you have effective control over your dog.  Once you have achieved this, you can begin to train your dog to lessen his/her barking or growling behavior by using rewards for quiet behavior.  Punishment is generally ineffective in correcting barking problems.   In fact too much punishment may even exacerbate the behavior.   Vocalization is usually a sign of excited energy; therefore, we want to distract that energy or mind set to a calm-submissive energy.

Begin your training with situations that you can easily control (such as a family member making a noise that causes the dog to bark) before moving on to difficult situations.  When your dog barks at the stimuli (for instance, a doorbell ring), immediately step in-between your dog and the door and interrupt the barking.  Interruption of the barking must be done immediately after barking begins for the training to be effective.  Repeat this process until your dog no longer barks or growls at the situation, person or sound.

Reward your dog when, at your request, he/she has stopped barking.  Only reward the dog when they are quiet and gradually increase the amount of time that the dog needs to be quiet for him/her to receive a reward (such as a treat and of course positive praise).

As the barking or growling problem decreases, make sure to redirect your dog to more appropriate behavior, such as play, and the problem should lessen over time.

Check next month’s tips for products that are available that may interrupt barking.