Non-verbal canine communication

Q: I've been taking my dog to obedience classes but I'm still having problems getting him to understand what I want him to do. My instructor says I'm not using the right tone of voice or body language but I don't know what she means. Can you help me?

A: Since dogs don't talk, spoken language isn't as important to them as it is to people. Dogs understand non-verbal signals such as tone of voice, gestures and posture better than they understand words.

For example, get your dog's attention and then, in a happy voice, call him to you using different words than he's used to and a different name. If he's never heard those words before, he'll still come because he recognises the inviting tone of voice you always use when you want him to come.

Dogs are also very sensitive to facial expressions and eye contact. He knows that a smile means you're happy and a scowl means you're not. Here's another example: using that same cheerful voice combined with a big smile, tell him that he's a terrible, awful, miserable dog and that you're really mad at him. What does he do? Instead of cowering in shame, he wiggles, wags and wants to kiss you! Why? Because you're talking to him in the same tone that you normally use to praise him.

Dogs pay attention to your posture, too. Crouching to the dog's level invites him to come or play. Standing straight with your shoulders back is a more commanding posture and tells the dog you are to be respected.

Dogs become very confused when their owners' words, expressions and tones don't match. If you were to crouch down and call your dog using a happy voice but with a frown on your face and a stern look in your eye, he wouldn't know what to do! Is he supposed to come or are you mad at him? If he does come, he'll probably do it fearfully since frowns and stern eyes usually mean something unpleasant is in store!

To be most effective when training and communicating with your dog, your expression, eyes and tone of voice all must say the same thing. You need to use different expressions and tones for different situations and keep those signals consistent. When you tell your dog to do something, use a low-toned, firm, matter of fact voice, neither smiling nor frowning. You should be standing up straight and your eyes should say clearly to the dog that you expect him to do as he's told - and if he understands the command, he will do it.

If he obeys, give him a huge smile and praise with a happy, cheerful voice. Let him know exactly how pleased you are with him. If he didn't obey, give him a dirty look and drop your voice as low as you can to deliver a short but unmistakeable reprimand. - By Vicki DeGruy

This information is part of Dog Owner's Guide Online, copyright 1999 by Canis Major Publications, and is reprinted with their kind permission.

Nutrition hints

COUCH grass (twitch) is a natural fibre food for dogs and helps them to rid the intestine of worms. If you have a very tidy garden and lawn chances are that your dog will not be able to find any couch when he wants some. Plant a root or two in a large pot and you can be sure your dog will help himself often.

Rice (natural, brown and organic is best) has a dysentery-curing element and is rich in iron and B vitamins. It can be enhanced by the addition of olive or corn oil. Rice is also one grain that is easy for the dog to digest - much more is assimilated than it would get from potatoes or wheat.