Listening to your dog isn't about simply hearing – it's about understanding.
It’s about realising that dogs have their own ways of communicating, their own pace of doing things, and their own unique needs and wants.
The more we listen, the more we understand. And the more we understand, the deeper and more rewarding our relationship with our dogs can become.
Dogs Don’t Use Words – But They Still ‘Speak’
Being a good listener to your dog begins with an understanding that dogs don't communicate in the same way we do.
They don't have words or language as we understand it, but that doesn't mean they don't 'speak'. Quite the opposite, dogs have a complex and nuanced way of expressing their emotions, their needs, and their wants.
Dogs ‘speak’ through body language, vocalisations, and behaviour, all of which can tell us a lot about what they're thinking and feeling.
Interpreting Behaviour: Looking Beneath the Surface
For example, a dog may growl when touched not because they are 'grumpy' or 'aggressive', but because they are experiencing pain or discomfort. Similarly, if your dog starts frantically jumping onto furniture during a loud thunderstorm, it may not be an act of disobedience but a response to fear.
Dogs often seek higher ground when scared as it can provide a vantage point and a sense of security. They can do the same if they feel that way on walks. Stress or worry can cause a fool around or height seeking response which involves grabbing the lead or even our clothes. Dogs who do this need advocation and safety.
The ability to notice and correctly interpret these signals is a crucial part of ethical dog guardianship. It requires patience, understanding, and a willingness to see the world from a dog's perspective.
Fostering Trust: The Impact of Understanding Your Dog’s Needs
In fact, responding to a dog's needs and wants not only enhances your relationship but also helps ensure the dog's overall well-being. When a dog knows that their signals will be recognised and respected, it contributes to a feeling of safety and trust. This means understanding and accommodating their needs wherever possible.
Creating a Safe Environment for Communication
Being a good listener for your dog is not just about responding to their immediate wants and needs, though. It's about fostering an environment where your dog feels safe and comfortable expressing themselves, even in ways that we might not initially understand. By doing so, we not only create a stronger bond with our dogs but also allow them to live a more fulfilling life as valued and respected members of our family.
Becoming a Companion, Advocate, and Friend
The power of attentive listening in dog guardianship is not to be underestimated. Being a good listener for your dog is about truly seeing them – as a sentient being with thoughts, emotions, and a unique way of expressing themselves. It's about acknowledging their autonomy and respecting their needs.
It's about being there for them, in every sense of the word, and creating an environment where they feel heard and understood. By doing so, we can be more than just dog guardians – we can be their companions, their advocates, and their friends.
It’s All About Connection..
Frankly, it's all about connection. Building a bridge between our human world and the world of our dogs. It's not about training our dogs to fit into our human rules, but about us learning to understand the language and needs of our dogs. By doing so, we become not just their guardians but their advocates, ensuring their voice is heard, their needs are met, and their lives are as enriched and fulfilled as they make ours.
..and Observation
Observation is a fundamental aspect of being a good listener for your dog. It is a way for us, as dog guardians, to truly understand them and their unique communication style. Observing your dog is the equivalent of listening attentively, and it is something you can start doing right now.
"Observing a dog is not merely about watching their actions; it’s about immersing ourselves in their world. When we slow down and pay attention to the smallest gestures – the tilt of their head, the twitch of their tail, the subtle shift in their body language – we open the door to a profound connection"
Take a moment now to pause and look up.
What is your dog doing?
How does their body language appear?
Did they make eye contact with you?
Are their eyes relaxed and comfortable?
When was the last time you took a moment to simply observe your dog in this way?
Commitment To Enlightened Observing
Observation is a powerful tool, but it is not always easy for us humans. Our minds are easily distracted, constantly bombarded by advertisements and the allure of technology. We have become accustomed to mindless scrolling and short attention spans. Instead of being fully present and watching our dogs, we find ourselves glancing at our phones, caught up in online distractions. This behaviour has become so ingrained in our lives that we often miss crucial moments to connect with our dogs and understand how they feel or respond to their environment.
Does this sound familiar?
The good news is that you now have the awareness to change this dynamic. You have the power to be fully present and consciously choose to observe your dog, rather than reaching for your phone. By doing so, you can truly listen to their attempts to communicate and enjoy the moment together.
When we make a habit of observing our dogs, especially after learning some of their natural language, it becomes a fascinating experience. We become more aware of who they are as individuals, their preferences, likes, dislikes, and when they seek attention or solitude.
Our dogs are constantly speaking to us, revealing their emotions and needs. When we learn to understand and interpret their language, we enter a whole new world of connection.
Social Learning
Each dog has their unique language, shaped by their experiences and what they have learned works for them.
While dog behaviour and communication have universal aspects, it's crucial to acknowledge that dogs also need to learn competent communication from their littermates, mother, and their early homes. For instance, if a puppy is isolated from other dogs between eight and twelve weeks of age, they may not learn effective and respectful communication.
Similarly, if a puppy's attempts to communicate discomfort are consistently ignored, they may either stop trying to communicate or resort to more overt behaviours such as growling and biting. These early learning experiences significantly shape a dog's communication skills.
The good news is that we have the power to undo any flawed communication patterns that dogs may have learned. By teaching them that we listen to and respect their needs, we help them regain confidence in their attempts to communicate and express themselves.
If you live with a dog who is struggling in their world, your priority should be observing and understanding their needs and how they communicate them.
As they realise that you are attentive to their signals, they will feel more comfortable expressing themselves and sharing how they feel.
General canine communication is one of the most fascinating aspects of our world. Every subtle change, from eye shape to whisker position, tells us something about a dog's emotions and intentions.
Dogs use signals to draw us closer or attempt to send us away. When they feel worried, their communication becomes a complex process, and even the slightest change in eye shape or tail position conveys volumes.
I have written an illustrated book called "Canine Communication: The Language of a Species," which you can find on Amazon and Audible for a more in-depth understanding.
Learn more about your dog by reading my books, or listening to my audiobooks, available on Amazon here.
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