Do you Speak Dog?

What we communicate to our dogs isn’t necessary what we think we are saying.
Do you ever hug your dog and then wonder why he doesn’t seem to enjoy it that much and tries to
move away? Have you ever patted a dog on the head and noticed that he seems to flinch instead of
looking happy to receive the attention? These are just two examples of the many things we do to our
dogs that don’t communicate effectively what we think we are telling them. You may think you are
showing the dog affection, but your behavior is actually telling the dog that you are just lording
yourself over him.

That pat on the head is interpreted by a dog as a show of dominance over him. Why would he enjoy
that? Not only that, it isn’t a pleasurable experience. Try it yourself sometime, ask someone to come
up and pat you on the head exactly as if you were the family dog. Odds are you will not find the
sensation all that pleasant. Far better to reach along the side of his head and scratch behind his
ear…that he’ll appreciate far more than the pat on the head. Just as you would appreciate a neck
massage better than a clunk on the head, so does your dog.
 

Although our dogs are often smart enough to overlook what is rude behavior in their eyes, not all
dogs are as willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. Hugging is also interpreted as an aggressive
action. To a dog, we are forcing our dominance over them when we hug them. Young children often
want to run up and huge unfamiliar dogs. It is no wonder that children sometimes get bit. In the
dog’s eyes, it is just disciplining a rude child.
 

Dogs are very adept and picking up clues from our behavior, but even so, we are often giving them
mixed signals. So it is no wonder some dogs get confused and behavior problems develop. When
you add more family members into the mix, odds increase that more confusion can develop as commands
can be given in different ways. Not only that, some people are more likely to be more permissive
with the dog than others, and mixed signals abound. It is amazing that our dogs obey us as well
as they do, as they must think we are pretty crazy sometimes.
 

If you notice your dog picking up bad habits, first ask yourself if there is something that you are doing
to encourage it. If you can’t figure out the problem, contact a dog trainer for advice and sign up
for some dog obedience classes. It is money well spent. Contact a certified animal behaviorist for
more difficult problems. Often times, they can give suggestions to get things back on track and keep
your dog a valued family member that will remain with you until he takes his last breath.

Many dogs come into rescue because of behavior problems. The majority of these issues could have
been resolved with the proper training and professional assistance. It pays to educate yourself about
animal behavior so that you can more easily understand how your dog thinks. This will allow you to
communicate more effectively with your dog. No matter what your age or level of experience there is
always something more that you can learn on a subject. One book that is highly recommended by
many dog trainers is The Other End of the Leash – Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs by
Patricia McConnell PhD. Our dogs do an incredible job of filtering through all the mixed signals we
humans are constantly sending them and loving us anyway. Reading this book will give you a new
appreciation for the wonder that is the domestic canine and your own beloved family pet.
by Rita, Love-a-Bull MN Bulldog Rescue