Unlocking the Potential of Clear Communication with Your Canine Companion
1. First of all... you're talking way too much to your dog and expecting them to have an advanced grasp on the English (or your native) language
“Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.” – Dalai Lama
2. Dogs have a unique brain structure that allows them to process information in a different way than humans.
3. Dogs are heavily right brained and connect in visuals, body language and pictures.
4. The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for complex cognitive processes such as problem-solving, decision-making, and impulse control, is less developed in dogs compared to humans.
5. Dogs take things literally... which means, you may be naming a behavior as one thing an your dog is doing another.
Let's use barking as an example. Your dog races to the window and starts barking at any moving object, person or thing to the point you and your neighbors are losing your minds. You've told your dog "Quiet" a gazillion times. Heres't the deal, you've actually named your dog's barking "Quiet" and your dog thinks they are really good at it.
Let's pretend your dog had a little dog friend come over that they wanted to show off for, sort of like little kids do. Your dog Charlie turns to his new friend Bella and says, watch this... this is "Charlie Quiet" and runs to the window and start braking. You start in with "Charlie quiet"... Charleeee Quiet!!" and Charlie looks at Bella and says see... I told you, I do Charlie Quiet really well!
You've got to back up and start naming actions with words. In other words, you've got to show your dog what to do and when they do what you want, then name it. Until your dog has a solid foundation of what the word actually means in action, don't name it.
Example: your dog starts barking, you interrupt with a marker action/word like Ready? (see Ready? Get It! Game) and the moment your dog stops barking you name it "Quiet" IN THE MOMENT YOUR DOG IS QUIET. You've name the action as they've done it.
6. Demonstration over Explanation
Demonstration over explanation emphasizes showing the dog what is expected of them rather than simply telling them. This approach can be particularly effective for dogs because they are visual learners and respond well to clear, consistent cues. Remember, your dog does not have a grasp of the English language (or your native language) or a big prefrontal cortex to figure out complex problems. Show your dog what to do and then name it. This is how your dog learns without frustration and confusion.
7. Visual Learning: Dogs are visual learners, and demonstration provides a visual representation of what is expected, making it easier for them to understand.
Stop talking and start showing your dog what to do.
8. Follow through.... if you ask/show your dog to do something and your dog sorta does it, or doesn't do it at all and you let them get away with that.... you've completely confused them in what word or phrase goes with what action.
Dogs love routine. They love consistency. They love boundaries. When you make expectations crystal clear, your dog can drop anxiety and unsureness and trade it for clear action and purpose. If you ask your dog to do something and they don't do it, show them how, consistently. Clear communication and action changes everything, including anxiety.
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