How is your body language effecting your dogs behaviour.
- Peaceful Canines
- Oct 1, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 8, 2024
The Importance Of You
Your TONE | Your BODY LANGUAGE | Your HAND GESTURES
Why are they so important when training your dog?
Your Tone
Dogs need to know exactly what it is you want from them – So keep it simple! Keep
your tone positive, but firm. As in – you call, you expect them to come.
Use one or two words – use their name once only, and if you have to repeat the
command replace their name with a sound (click tongue) or ' Come'.
If you use their name repeatedly they will stop hearing it.
If you use a command repeatedly they have stopped hearing you altogether.
So a simple command if you want your dog to come and sit is -
In the first instance you will call their name followed by the command word, placing emphasis on the first and last letters of their name e.g. RO (Drag out the 'O' )...vER (empasis on ER) 'Sit! Hold'. treat above their head moving it slowly back forcing the dog to sit then bring the treat back and reward
If you have to call them a second time, encourage them to come with a clicking or
'Come, Come', and if they turn to look at you say 'Yes'...and start to move backwards
slowly.
When they come
Give the command word (sit, stay, go find, etc)
Then if they do as asked MARK IT instantly with a Marker word (Yes!, Good
Boy/Girl, Well Done, etc)
Food reward (high quality treats, chopped carrot/cucumber, kibble)
Your Body Language
BODY language is equally important. Keeping yourself upright and confident, When
asking your dog to come and sit…if they look at you…mark it with a 'Yes, Come',
and start to walk backwards as the movement will encourage them to keep following
you especially if you are holding a treat.
To encourage them to come, lean forward a little with treat in hand and as
they come towards you, straighten out so the dog is having to look upwards, bring your
hands up holding the treat and this standing up straight movement can also be used to help reinforce the sit command.
For some dogs opening your arms wide and as they come to you and bringing your arms
closer together will encourage your dog to run in between. There are other tricks up my sleeve I can introduce you to for the very reluctant dog.
Your Hand Gestures
Your HAND movements are powerful communication tool to your dog. They watch
these more than anything. Just observe your dog…as he watches you.
If you give a command do not move them around as this will confuse them. If you want your dog to come you must keep them in position whether it’s a raised arm that comes down with the treat in your hand, or whether you hold that treat to lure them you must keep it steady and not wave it around.
If you are using your finger to point keep your arm straight and finger pointing to exact place you want your dog to be.
It is important to recognise this, as we are all prone to flapping them, pointing in
multiple directions, or giving signals without understanding the meaning.
Often our hands support our Vocal Command – and as training progresses you often
can just use your hand/finger to direct your dog.
A word of warning, if your dog is reactive, your hand movements might trigger them
and create a new problem.
To catch yourself out and find out what you’re doing to hold your dog back, I highly
recommend you video yourself or watch yourself in a mirror and vocalise a command
and see what you look like when you do so. Make a note and work on areas you
think need improving upon.
And don’t forget SMILE - yes dog’s see Smiles and Frowns.. a Smile will help encourage your dog ! Try it out and see.
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