Your dog is always communicating. But, instead of using words like we do, they rely on body language and energy to let us know what they’re feeling. Have you ever noticed how your dog uses his whole body to let you know that he’s happy, sad, curious or on edge?
It’s important to learn how to communicate properly with your best buddy. Not only will this strengthen your bond, but it will go a long way to prevent misunderstandings. Each time we misunderstand our dogs, we break down a piece of the relationship and prevent a healthy and respectful bond from growing.
PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR DOG’S BARK
The best way to learn to speak your dog’s language is by listening and observing. For example, take your dog’s bark. If you listen, you’ll notice that he has a variety of barks. These range between happy barks, greeting barks, warning barks, playful yaps, attention-seeking calls, growls, whimpers and whines.
LOOK AT BODY LANGUAGE
To interpret your dog’s body language, you need to look at the whole body – from the ears and facial expressions all the way to the tail. A wagging tail doesn’t automatically mean a happy dog. Notice all the parts talking as well as what’s happening while your dog is expressing himself.
SPEAK YOUR DOG’S LANGUAGE
Here are a few ways you can express love and communicate in your dog’s language:
- Read to your dog – this is especially good for calming high energy or anxious dogs.
- Communicate through tone. Speak using a soft and reassuring tone for everyday talk and switch to a cheerful tone for positive reinforcement. When your dog doesn’t behave, instead of yelling, use a firm, low volume tone.
- Use facial expressions. Dogs understand more than we know. Give your canine buddy a relaxed smile while raising your eyebrows. This tells him how happy you are to see him.
- Finally, don’t be embarrassed to use baby-talk when talking to your dog – contrary to popular belief, dogs actually like this!