We may not speak the same verbal language, but we can usually understand each other anyway. Dogs communicate with body language, posture, sounds, tail and eyes, among other things. We humans use facial expressions, tone of voice and our bodies to express ourselves. Maybe we just don't think about it that much in our daily lives? That we do exactly like dogs, communicate with our whole body. And then we use words. And lots of them. At least I do. The list of words that come out of my mouth in a day is long.
I think Marvin analyzes every move I make and listens to every word I say. He tilts his head, and he looks directly at me when I talk to him. So I do the same thing – analyze and try to figure out what Marvin is trying to tell me when, for example, he puts his head on my leg and walks towards the patio door. He scratches the window with a paw and looks at me in a very specific way. I know that means: “I’m going out.” I open the door. He stops outside and looks at me again. The expression on his face is completely different. I know it means he’s trying to get me to come into the garden.
Another example. I'm walking around the kitchen while I'm talking to a family member. Maybe he catches the word "tour" and wonders if it means "walk." So he follows to see if I'm putting on the harness or if it means something else. He remembers, and the older he gets, the more words he knows and the better he is at decoding what's going to happen. Over the years, he's learned that this tone of voice, this word, this body language, and this action can all mean we're going out into the garden - so he walks toward the back door. A different combination means something else, so he walks toward the front door. He's actually rarely wrong, and I'm often surprised that he almost knows it before I've even had time to think the thought or say the word.
Dogs learn many words throughout their lives, and most dogs know a handful of those words. It could be “tire” or “sit.” And then there are the unique words that one dog knows and another doesn’t. Marvin knows the words “grandma” and “sneeze,” among others. His body language and sounds are completely different when he hears the two words, and both words excite him in two different ways. He loves it when Grandma comes to visit, and he knows that if he sneezes on command, he gets a treat.
What has your dog learned from unique words or commands?
About the blogger
Charlotte works in accounting by day. She loves taking pictures, writing and reading, is passionate about healthy eating and gluten-free baking. She spends a lot of time growing vegetables and gardening.
Marvin is a brown, 6-year-old, stubborn and happy cocker spaniel. He is a spoiled couch dog, family dog and home-trained service dog. He loves teddy bears and new adventures. As long as there is no vacuum cleaner in the adventure.
Do you understand what I'm saying?... Communication between dog and owner
We may not speak the same verbal language, but we can usually understand each other anyway. Dogs communicate with body language, posture, sounds, tail and eyes, among other things. We humans use facial expressions, tone of voice and our bodies to express ourselves. Maybe we just don't think about it that much in our daily lives? That we do exactly like dogs, communicate with our whole body. And then we use words. And lots of them. At least I do. The list of words that come out of my mouth in a day is long.
I think Marvin analyzes every move I make and listens to every word I say. He tilts his head, and he looks directly at me when I talk to him. So I do the same thing – analyze and try to figure out what Marvin is trying to tell me when, for example, he puts his head on my leg and walks towards the patio door. He scratches the window with a paw and looks at me in a very specific way. I know that means: “I’m going out.” I open the door. He stops outside and looks at me again. The expression on his face is completely different. I know it means he’s trying to get me to come into the garden.
Another example. I'm walking around the kitchen while I'm talking to a family member. Maybe he catches the word "tour" and wonders if it means "walk." So he follows to see if I'm putting on the harness or if it means something else. He remembers, and the older he gets, the more words he knows and the better he is at decoding what's going to happen. Over the years, he's learned that this tone of voice, this word, this body language, and this action can all mean we're going out into the garden - so he walks toward the back door. A different combination means something else, so he walks toward the front door. He's actually rarely wrong, and I'm often surprised that he almost knows it before I've even had time to think the thought or say the word.
Dogs learn many words throughout their lives, and most dogs know a handful of those words. It could be “tire” or “sit.” And then there are the unique words that one dog knows and another doesn’t. Marvin knows the words “grandma” and “sneeze,” among others. His body language and sounds are completely different when he hears the two words, and both words excite him in two different ways. He loves it when Grandma comes to visit, and he knows that if he sneezes on command, he gets a treat.
What has your dog learned from unique words or commands?
About the blogger
Charlotte works in accounting by day. She loves taking pictures, writing and reading, is passionate about healthy eating and gluten-free baking. She spends a lot of time growing vegetables and gardening.
Marvin is a brown, 6-year-old, stubborn and happy cocker spaniel. He is a spoiled couch dog, family dog and home-trained service dog. He loves teddy bears and new adventures. As long as there is no vacuum cleaner in the adventure.