Do we talk too much to our dogs?

The short answer is YES! When working with clients or just seeings friends and family with their dogs I am not surprised at all by how much they talk to their dogs. Not only will they speak to them, they do it as if they speak our language and can respond to our questions, saying things like;

“Oh your such a good boy aren’t you?” 

“Do you want to go to park, want to see your buddies?” 

“Do you want your dinner? Are you hungry?”

Now some might argue with me saying that their dog understands what they’re saying, my partner included. If he gets up in evening and starts saying “Do you wants some dins, woohoo come on let’s get some dins.’ Miku will get excited and follow him into the kitchen ready for her dinner.

But whats really happening is Miku has associated Lee’s excited tone of voice and his action of going into the kitchen to the cupboard where her bowl is to know that dinner is likely being prepared.

However, if Lee was drinking his morning coffee and said in a calm voice “Do you want some dins?” But didn’t move Miku would likely tilt her head at him or not even budge from her place, as she doesn’t understand the words, it’s the actions that follow the excited tone that she understands.

But what harm does talking to our dogs do?

You might think none and in the home you’re likely right if you have a calm a content dog, but if you have a dog that doesn't settle, barks at everything, paces around and displays behavioural issues, your talking to them will be part of the problem, but that's a topic for another day.

However, I want to tell you of the issues that appear when we want our dogs to follow commands!

Given our first point of communication is speaking we regularly over complicate it for our dogs, not only can we be inconsistent in our commands it is often the case that the dog doesn't even understand the verbal.

The amount of people who claim their dog knows the word ‘SIT,’ but then it turns out the dog hasn’t a clue is more often than not. In order for the dog to go into a sit the owner has to stand in front of the dog, raise their arm up whilst saying "sit, sit Fido, sit down." This is not a dog who understands the word sit, what they they have learned is the physical cue, which is the owner standing before them and raising their arm.

Also I've seen multiple people at the parks trying to recall their dogs and usually this is what it sounds like:

“FIDO, COME HERE, COME ON BOY, THIS WAY….WHAT’S THIS!” All the while their tone of voice getting more and more frustrated, sometimes even angry.

It is no wonder their dog doesn't do what they say, as they haven't a clear command that means to return, in fact they are just confusing their dog by doing this.

Another thing to think about as well is, when should praise be used?

It is possible to over use praise and make it useless, if your dog is walking to heel and your repeatedly going "yes that's it good boy, well done, super!" etc, you're just flooding your dog with noise and the power of your praise becomes less effective.

You must space out the praise, as you would treats or toys, make your dog work for it in order to receive it. Now with puppies this is a little different as we use a lot of treats and praise in the beginning, but this is because we are teaching them something new, once the dog understands the behaviour we're teaching them we fade out the treats and praise and only give them sporadically.

So what should a dog know by verbal?

All a dog needs to understand to be a good dog in and out of the home are no more than 10 simple key words:

“THEIR NAME” It is shocking how many dogs do not even know know their own name.

“COME” All dogs should have a reliable recall, if not they should remain on lead.

“OK” Release from what they were doing, they can now do what they like (to a degree.)

“YES” Marker, meaning that they got it right and can expect a reward to follow.

“NO” Incorrect, used when the dog makes a mistake.

“HEEL” Getting a dog to understand where the heel position is and what it means.

“SIT” Sit is a stay, it means sit till I release you or give you a different command.

“DROP” Anything a dog picks up they must have a reliable drop command.

“LEAVE IT” This command can me to leave anything, be it food you dropped, a dog in the park or a rabbit running off.

"PLACE" Teaching your dog to go to their place and settle down.

THATS IT!!

To have a well mannered reliable dog in the home and outside a dog really does not need to understand any more words than the above. Yes you could teach, "down", "paw", "spin", "centre", "climb" etc, which are great for stimulation and engagement but they aren't needed.

What does your dog know verbally? Are you guilty of flooding your dog with too much talking? Let us know in the comments.

Next I will be talking through how we 'Can’t train your dog for you', in order for your dog to behave for you and follow commands, YOU have to put the work in.