Learning the Language: Does your dog give a shit about what you're saying?
What is the world without language? As humans, we tend to only think of language as verbal communication. However, there is a depth to communication that is so far beyond our simple humancentric understanding of language. We could all learn a lot from the deaf and hearing-impaired community, the complexity and richness of sign language is amazing. It's not simply spelling out words but more like creating a picture and describing it with symbols (over-simplified outsider’s perspective, sorry). The point is verbal language is rather limiting. It relies so much on each participant’s ability to articulate, interpret, receive, and relate to what’s being said. It’s really complicated.
Language can open up the world to a learner, be it a cat, dog or even a small child building the ability to communicate with those around them is a significant milestone in one's life. The first realization that a being can influence outcomes by "speaking" up for their needs is incredibly poignant and powerful. For example watch, this clip of my son William at 13 months realizing these once arbitrary hand signals can influence the behavior and outcomes of the world around him. He signed multiple times before I started the video that he was hungry, then that he wanted more of the avocado to eat, and finally that he was thirsty for his milk.
CLICK TO WATCH, THE CUTE FUN VIDEO.
How powerful he must be feeling now that he is a part of the conversation, he doesn't have to cry or get sad when he has a need, he can simply join the conversation. This makes him happy and independent, makes us as parents more calm and collected, and creates a culture of respect and compassion in our home.
When you are working with animals you have a duty to learn how to read and interpret the wealth of communication that dogs are so skilled at utilizing. Teaching your dog simple COMMANDS creates monologue, you are simply saying things at them and giving feedback based on the accuracy of behavior responses. When you take the time to learn the language of dogs you can start to have a dialogue. Take time to observe and you give animals a voice and actually have a conversation.
Maybe it's time to brush up on what you think you know about dogs. Many of the signs of anxiety, fear, and pain in dogs are overlooked by even the most astute dog guardians on a daily basis. Why is this? People love dogs, so why don’t we learn more about how they communicate and advocate for their needs?
Research shows us that dogs learn fastest through visual cues yet so much of the training people do with dogs rely on spoken language to prompt the dog to perform behaviors. You can teach your dog visual signals while you begin to pair them with verbal cues. This technique uses associative learning.
Pro tips for teaching verbal cues:
Build the behavior, and add the cue later.
Do enough repetitions in a similar and familiar setting before raising the criteria.
Only say verbal cues ONCE, then shape and lure the dog to perform the behavior.
When people fail to learn how to effectively communicate with dogs, dogs struggle and this results in making canine learners feel frustrated. If you want to make any learner feel powerless simply take away their ability to communicate, be heard, and impact their environment.
I think of training as the process of learning a common language with a dog. We are both teaching and both are learning. There is a sense of mutual respect and appreciation in the process. Let language be the powerful aide that gives you perspective and gives dogs the ability to join the conversation. Acknowledge the struggle which is two species caught in a crossroads of good intentions but a lack of ability to communicate. Restabilize this conflicted relationship by honoring your commitment to one another.
Want to learn more so you can deepen your relationship with your dog? Come join us at www.behaviorofdogs.com.