Talking dog Part 3 – Combining Verbal Commands with Eye Contact and Body Language. This is the last entry on ‘Talking Dog’ The most effective method of communicating with your furry four legged friend.
Previously I have spoken about eye contact (episode 2) and body language (episode 3) and now here is the final piece of the puzzle that is ‘Talking dog’ – Verbal commands.
Using a combination of verbal commands with eye contact and body language is crucial in dog training. Using these three forms of communication with our dogs reinforces learning, and fosters a strong bond between the dog and trainer. Here’s why it is important and how it applies to various parts of dog training:
Better Communication - Dogs rely heavily on visual and verbal cues to understand what is expected of them. Combining verbal commands with eye contact and body language makes instructions clearer and easier for dogs to follow from the dog trainer
Increased Focus and Attention - Making eye contact ensures the dog is paying attention to the trainer. This focus is essential for effective learning, especially in obedience and household training
Consistency and Reinforcement - Consistent use of body language alongside verbal commands helps reinforce the desired behaviour. Dogs learn faster and retain commands better when they receive multiple forms of the same signal. ‘Talking Dog’ can be applied in specific training scenarios…..
Dog Reactivity - When addressing dog reactivity (e.g., aggressive or fearful responses to other dogs or stimuli), maintaining calm body language and using soothing verbal commands is key. Eye contact can help redirect the dog’s focus from the trigger to the trainer, creating a sense of security. Example If a dog starts reacting to another dog, say "focus" while maintaining soft eye contact and using a hand signal to direct the dog's attention to you.
Lead Walking - For effective lead walking, combining verbal commands with body language helps teach the dog to walk calmly by your side. Example- Use the command "heel" while making eye contact and keeping your body aligned with the dog. A gentle contact on the leash and a hand signal can reinforce the command.
Obedience Training - Commands like "sit," "stay," "come," and "down" are foundational in obedience training. Pairing these commands with clear hand signals and maintaining eye contact ensures the dog understands and follows through.Example- For "sit," say the word while raising your hand. Make eye contact to ensure the dog is focused on you before giving the command.
Household Training - Training a dog for household behaviours, such as staying off furniture or not jumping on guests, benefits from clear verbal commands combined with body language. Example -To prevent a dog from jumping on guests, say "off" while stepping forward slightly and using a hand signal to indicate the dog should stay down.
Eye contact can help reinforce that you expect them to follow the command. But how do you actually effectively ‘Talk dog’? Here are some basic examples
Start with Simple Commands - Begin household training with basic commands like "sit" and "stay," using clear hand signals and making eye contact. Ensure the dog is paying attention before giving the verbal command. If you are in a household with multiple people make sure you are clear on who is the ‘dog trainer’ for that occasion
Practice Consistently - Use the same verbal commands and body language consistently to avoid confusing the dog. Regular practice helps reinforce learning and builds the dog’s confidence.
Always use Positive Reinforcement - When dog training always give a reward. This could be treats, play, praise, or affection when they correctly respond to commands. Positive reinforcement helps the dog associate good behaviour with rewards.
Be Aware of Your Body Language - Keep your body language calm and assertive. Avoid negative gestures, such as pointing or looming over the dog, as these can be intimidating.
Adjust Based on the Dog’s Response - Pay attention to the dog’s reactions and adjust your approach as needed. If the dog seems confused or stressed, simplify the command and use more exaggerated body language. Whoever takes the role of the dog trainer must be willing to put all their focus and energy into the task.
So there you have it, ‘Talking Dog’ and how to do it in three fairly straight forward parts. If you would like to talk to me in more detail about how to ‘Talk Dog’ or if you have a specific dog training need, please get in touch via phone, email, online via my website or on socials
