How Your Dog Communicates

Although we don’t speak the same language as our dogs, it’s easier to communicate with them when we understand the four sensory methods dogs use to communicate. These four ways are:

• Body language
• Sound/vocal intonation
• Touch
• Smell/Scent

Most of us know a bit about interpreting basic body language. For example, crossing our arms when talking to another person is viewed as a protective or defensive stance. If someone, particularly someone you don’t know well, leans in too close, it can feel menacing or intimidating. Dogs are also sensitive and responsive to body language. A dominant dog will lean forward toward you, showing no fear. Leaning slightly away is considered submissive or inviting, depending on the circumstance. Both body language types are incorporated in successful training.

We naturally lean forward when we correct or command a dog. But certain commands, such as ‘come’ are more readily responded to when the trainer leans slightly backward, away from the dog, as an encouraging invitation. Leaning forward is more conducive to commands such as ‘sit’ or ‘stay,’ or when disciplining a dog as it demands submissive behavior from the dog.

The second form of canine communication, voice tone or inflexion, also corresponds to how humans communicate. When we are in an affable, sharing mode, we speak at a higher pitch which encourages cooperation and negotiation. When we are angry or demanding, we naturally lower the pitch of our voices to convey authority and pressure.

So it is when we talk to our dogs. If you’re playing with the dog, you will speak at a higher pitch than if you’re commanding or disciplining her. Dogs do the same, altering the pitch of their barks to low, menacing or authoritative sounds, and raising them to play or encourage. High, more excited tones are suited for praising while lower-pitched tones are more effective to convey commands and discipline. Ensuring you use noticeably differing high and low tones when training your dog makes it easier for your dog to understand you.

Just as with humans, there are two basic forms of touch—negative and positive. Using touch as a form of communication is very motivating. Ever pet your dog or scratch her ears and watch as her tongue falls out of her mouth, her eyes twinkle and she wags her tail? Maybe she even appears to smile. Congratulations. You’ve just used a positive, motivational form of touch. You want to use these touching gestures very animatedly and enthusiastically in order to convey your satisfaction with your dog’s behavior to her. If you pat her on the head and she doesn’t perceptibly react, then your touch is not as motivational as it needs to be. You need to work on eliciting a happy response from her.

Negative touch, on the other hand, is a corrective measure, one used by alpha dogs/pack leaders or by mothers with their puppies. When correcting your dog, you want to emulate this instinctive behavior. Now, that doesn’t mean you’re expected to nip your dog! But as most corrections involve a nip to the neck, we use the collar to simulate this kind of attention-getting correction. A quick tug and release at the moment of bad behavior will send the same message. A caution here though: you must release the pressure on the leash the minute you give the tug; don’t maintain tension on the leash. The idea is to mimic a mother dog’s own instinctive reaction which is a quick nip—not a bite!—and release. It’s a warning; it’s not about inflicting pain or undue discomfort. A simple, quick tug lets your dog know you do not approve of her behavior and to change it now. Don’t panic if your dog responds with high-pitched yap when you do this properly. She’s not in pain or even being a drama queen. She’s letting you know that she got the message the first time so it won’t be necessary to do it again. If she doesn’t visibly react, however, you may find you must repeat the correction until she does.

The final form of communication is smell or scent, however, it’s the one form that does not play a large role in training. Scent is what a dog uses to establish its dominance over another dog. For example, a dog sniffs outside to locate where other dogs have urinated or left their scent. The goal is to urinate on top of that scent to possess that spot, to claim it as the dog’s own.

Remember, it’s a dog’s instinct always to jockey for position at the top of the pack. And it’s your job to firmly establish your position as leader. Watch for those ways that a dog will communicate her desire to dominate you, whether it’s jumping up on you, stepping on your feet or standing over you when you’re sitting or lying down, and take steps to correct that immediately. If your dog sits and leans against you, it could mean she’s either trying to dominate you, or she’s using touching to say she’s the submissive one and feels more secure feeling you right there next to her. Watch her body language carefully for indications of which behavior she’s exhibiting. If a dog you don’t really know stands and/or leans against you, it’s almost certain he’s trying to put you in your place, which is decidedly below his, in his opinion! Step back and resist the temptation to pet him or give him any attention. He’ll likely be bewildered by your indifference and wander off. When you understand how dogs communicate, it will make your job that much easier.