Comments on: How to Communicate With Your Dog Without Speaking http://doggybytes.ca/communicate-dog-speaking/2313/ Serving up byte-size info for dog lovers Mon, 06 Sep 2010 09:38:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Amy@GoPetFriendly http://doggybytes.ca/communicate-dog-speaking/2313/comment-page-1/#comment-379 Amy@GoPetFriendly Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:25:45 +0000 http://doggybytes.ca/?p=2313#comment-379 Great topic Jim! My dad's sister teaches ASL at college in Minnesota (a bit of a trek for you I suppose). When I was a kid she taught me some of the basics. I've lost most of it, but I think I could still do the alphabet. In relation to dogs, I think the visual cues are better than voice. First, as you mentioned, dogs relate to each other starting with their eyes, then they get their noses involved, and perhaps finally their ears. Let's play off their strengths rather than insisting that they learn to rely on their hearing! Second, I hate yelling - both doing it myself and hearing someone else. You can express your emotions when using visual cues, but there will never be any yelling. Third, when we have a conversation with our dogs and they don't comply, many of us feel frustrated...like we expected them to understand the four paragraph reason they should not walk out the door in front of us and are defying us on purpose. When using visual cues, it's easier to remember that we've simply had a miscommunication and we need more practice. Finally, it teaches your dog to keep his/her eyes on you - when they are paying attention to you it resolves a lot of other behavior issues instantaneously. <br><br>Thanks for the post. I have a new energy and resolve to focus on the visual training! Great topic Jim! My dad's sister teaches ASL at college in Minnesota (a bit of a trek for you I suppose). When I was a kid she taught me some of the basics. I've lost most of it, but I think I could still do the alphabet. In relation to dogs, I think the visual cues are better than voice. First, as you mentioned, dogs relate to each other starting with their eyes, then they get their noses involved, and perhaps finally their ears. Let's play off their strengths rather than insisting that they learn to rely on their hearing! Second, I hate yelling – both doing it myself and hearing someone else. You can express your emotions when using visual cues, but there will never be any yelling. Third, when we have a conversation with our dogs and they don't comply, many of us feel frustrated…like we expected them to understand the four paragraph reason they should not walk out the door in front of us and are defying us on purpose. When using visual cues, it's easier to remember that we've simply had a miscommunication and we need more practice. Finally, it teaches your dog to keep his/her eyes on you – when they are paying attention to you it resolves a lot of other behavior issues instantaneously.

Thanks for the post. I have a new energy and resolve to focus on the visual training!

]]> By: Rod@GoPetFriendly http://doggybytes.ca/communicate-dog-speaking/2313/comment-page-1/#comment-380 Rod@GoPetFriendly Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:54:27 +0000 http://doggybytes.ca/?p=2313#comment-380 Fantastic topic. I sometimes find that I end up having conversations with my dogs when trying to get them to follow simple commands. Like if I talk more, they'll better understand what I want them to do. Not happening! So we have been working some hand signals into our training. Amy is much better at it than me - I need to be more consistent. And, as you say, there is the coolness factor of doing hand signals in public so you can show off what your dogs are capable of - if you spend the time with them. Fantastic topic. I sometimes find that I end up having conversations with my dogs when trying to get them to follow simple commands. Like if I talk more, they'll better understand what I want them to do. Not happening! So we have been working some hand signals into our training. Amy is much better at it than me – I need to be more consistent. And, as you say, there is the coolness factor of doing hand signals in public so you can show off what your dogs are capable of – if you spend the time with them.

]]> By: robfdavis http://doggybytes.ca/communicate-dog-speaking/2313/comment-page-1/#comment-381 robfdavis Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:45:12 +0000 http://doggybytes.ca/?p=2313#comment-381 What a great article! After reading it yesterday I made more of an effort last night to make sure I was careful on my hand commands to make sure I'm being consistent so I don't send the wrong message. What a great article! After reading it yesterday I made more of an effort last night to make sure I was careful on my hand commands to make sure I'm being consistent so I don't send the wrong message.

]]> By: Amy@GoPetFriendly http://doggybytes.ca/communicate-dog-speaking/2313/comment-page-1/#comment-309 Amy@GoPetFriendly Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:25:45 +0000 http://doggybytes.ca/?p=2313#comment-309 Great topic Jim! My dad's sister teaches ASL at college in Minnesota (a bit of a trek for you I suppose). When I was a kid she taught me some of the basics. I've lost most of it, but I think I could still do the alphabet. In relation to dogs, I think the visual cues are better than voice. First, as you mentioned, dogs relate to each other starting with their eyes, then they get their noses involved, and perhaps finally their ears. Let's play off their strengths rather than insisting that they learn to rely on their hearing! Second, I hate yelling - both doing it myself and hearing someone else. You can express your emotions when using visual cues, but there will never be any yelling. Third, when we have a conversation with our dogs and they don't comply, many of us feel frustrated...like we expected them to understand the four paragraph reason they should not walk out the door in front of us and are defying us on purpose. When using visual cues, it's easier to remember that we've simply had a miscommunication and we need more practice. Finally, it teaches your dog to keep his/her eyes on you - when they are paying attention to you it resolves a lot of other behavior issues instantaneously. <br><br>Thanks for the post. I have a new energy and resolve to focus on the visual training! Great topic Jim! My dad's sister teaches ASL at college in Minnesota (a bit of a trek for you I suppose). When I was a kid she taught me some of the basics. I've lost most of it, but I think I could still do the alphabet. In relation to dogs, I think the visual cues are better than voice. First, as you mentioned, dogs relate to each other starting with their eyes, then they get their noses involved, and perhaps finally their ears. Let's play off their strengths rather than insisting that they learn to rely on their hearing! Second, I hate yelling – both doing it myself and hearing someone else. You can express your emotions when using visual cues, but there will never be any yelling. Third, when we have a conversation with our dogs and they don't comply, many of us feel frustrated…like we expected them to understand the four paragraph reason they should not walk out the door in front of us and are defying us on purpose. When using visual cues, it's easier to remember that we've simply had a miscommunication and we need more practice. Finally, it teaches your dog to keep his/her eyes on you – when they are paying attention to you it resolves a lot of other behavior issues instantaneously.

Thanks for the post. I have a new energy and resolve to focus on the visual training!

]]> By: gopetfriendly http://doggybytes.ca/communicate-dog-speaking/2313/comment-page-1/#comment-308 gopetfriendly Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:54:27 +0000 http://doggybytes.ca/?p=2313#comment-308 Fantastic topic. I sometimes find that I end up having conversations with my dogs when trying to get them to follow simple commands. Like if I talk more, they'll better understand what I want them to do. Not happening! So we have been working some hand signals into our training. Amy is much better at it than me - I need to be more consistent. And, as you say, there is the coolness factor of doing hand signals in public so you can show off what your dogs are capable of - if you spend the time with them. Fantastic topic. I sometimes find that I end up having conversations with my dogs when trying to get them to follow simple commands. Like if I talk more, they'll better understand what I want them to do. Not happening! So we have been working some hand signals into our training. Amy is much better at it than me – I need to be more consistent. And, as you say, there is the coolness factor of doing hand signals in public so you can show off what your dogs are capable of – if you spend the time with them.

]]> By: Jim (Doggybytes.ca) http://doggybytes.ca/communicate-dog-speaking/2313/comment-page-1/#comment-306 Jim (Doggybytes.ca) Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:38:15 +0000 http://doggybytes.ca/?p=2313#comment-306 That made me smile. =) That made me smile. =)

]]> By: Mary Haight http://doggybytes.ca/communicate-dog-speaking/2313/comment-page-1/#comment-305 Mary Haight Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:38:09 +0000 http://doggybytes.ca/?p=2313#comment-305 What a great piece! I used to sign with my English Springer Spaniel who was in training for obedience trails before I adopted him. He enjoyed the work, and was so in tune with it. His reaction to the sign for "free", signaling the end of training, was comical...he'd jump up in the air like a little kid saying "yippee, play time!" Thanks for the good memories:) What a great piece! I used to sign with my English Springer Spaniel who was in training for obedience trails before I adopted him. He enjoyed the work, and was so in tune with it. His reaction to the sign for “free”, signaling the end of training, was comical…he'd jump up in the air like a little kid saying “yippee, play time!” Thanks for the good memories:)

]]> By: Bloggie Stylish http://doggybytes.ca/communicate-dog-speaking/2313/comment-page-1/#comment-307 Bloggie Stylish Tue, 19 Jan 2010 06:14:02 +0000 http://doggybytes.ca/?p=2313#comment-307 there are a lot of trainers that use visual only cues for their dogs. it makes sense, really. like you said, dog mostly communicate by observing body postures and odors. i have mostly trained jersey with verbal cues, but i do use a few non verbal cues, as well. there are a lot of trainers that use visual only cues for their dogs. it makes sense, really. like you said, dog mostly communicate by observing body postures and odors. i have mostly trained jersey with verbal cues, but i do use a few non verbal cues, as well.

]]> By: Jim (Doggybytes.ca) http://doggybytes.ca/communicate-dog-speaking/2313/comment-page-1/#comment-304 Jim (Doggybytes.ca) Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:38:15 +0000 http://doggybytes.ca/?p=2313#comment-304 That made me smile. =) That made me smile. =)

]]> By: Mary Haight http://doggybytes.ca/communicate-dog-speaking/2313/comment-page-1/#comment-303 Mary Haight Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:38:09 +0000 http://doggybytes.ca/?p=2313#comment-303 What a great piece! I used to sign with my English Springer Spaniel who was in training for obedience trails before I adopted him. He enjoyed the work, and was so in tune with it. His reaction to the sign for "free", signaling the end of training, was comical...he'd jump up in the air like a little kid saying "yippee, play time!" Thanks for the good memories:) What a great piece! I used to sign with my English Springer Spaniel who was in training for obedience trails before I adopted him. He enjoyed the work, and was so in tune with it. His reaction to the sign for “free”, signaling the end of training, was comical…he'd jump up in the air like a little kid saying “yippee, play time!” Thanks for the good memories:)

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