Surely you've heard people say, "My dog is very smart and understands everything," or "The important thing is to use short commands so they can memorize them well," right? In our article, we discuss the importance of tone, words, intention, and clarity. Take note; it will be very helpful!
Okay, although it may hurt to read this, the reality is that dogs do not understand as much as we imagine. It's true that they have fantastic communication skills, but that doesn't mean they understand us perfectly from A to Z, not even the smartest ones! However, there are several things you can count on and should keep in mind when it comes to commands and communication.
Dogs Identify Specific Words
Dogs can identify words within our conversations, so it's not uncommon to see them suddenly perk up their ears or react excitedly to certain conversations. Sound familiar? "I'm going for a walk in the park," "Let's stop for lunch"... these are phrases that may contain key words like "eat" and "park," words that will likely make them very happy.
They Learn Fewer Than 100 Words
There are always exceptions, we know that, but most dogs learn relatively few words throughout their lives. Often, they learn these words without prior training; through simple observation and association, they grasp words and their meanings. Words like food, eat, treats, play, park, ball, toy, beach, walk... tend to be well-received.
Tone Always Matters
They respond much better to commands when they are accompanied by a kind and friendly tone. And not only that! If you talk to them in a specific "loving" tone, and they are used to that particular tone, it's very likely that when you use that same tone with other people, they will feel like they are being spoken to and come to you immediately. Has this ever happened to you? It's very curious!
Words: Long or Short?
Your dog will pick up on syllables and will remember what brings value or usefulness within the phrase you say. It's true that the more similar the different words you want to teach them are, the more difficult it will be for them. Still, dogs are also very skilled at contextualizing, so if you say "fetch" near a ball, they are very likely to fetch it, and if you say "let's go" when you are near the door, they are very likely to go out with you (for example).
Clarity Is Key
Speaking clearly and in a confident and loud tone is vital to get your dog's attention and receive a response. If they also perceive confidence in your words, the command will be better received.
