Dog's Life

Canine Conversation

Talk with Your Dog...Really!

You pick up the keys; his tail wags and he dances in anticipation of a car ride. He sighs; you lean over to scratch his back. From simple movements to a soulful stare, you and your dog really connect, from that “c’mon, let’s go play!” look to that “belly rub, please!” trick he does so well.

You and your dog talk all the time, and chances are, his favorite words include “walk,” “car,” and “treat.” Ready to expand the sound of friendship a little further?

It’s easy to expand your mutual vocabulary to really see each other’s world a little more clearly. First, choose a word such as “share,” which is useful when you’d like to pass a ball or toy back and forth. Speak as you normally would—it should be fun for you both—and perhaps even use a corresponding hand motion. Repetition and consistency are key—some words might take longer than others.

Heap lots of praise and love on your pooch; after all, learning is fun, and this is just one more way to celebrate your friendship. Once he’s aced the first word, have fun and go through the names of his favorite toys. For example, combine “ball” and “share,” so that in time, when you’re both ready for a game of catch, he can happily trot the ball over to you.

Other fun words to consider? “Play,” of course, and where would two buddies be without a special code for some downtime to relax for your next adventure together? Keep things simple, but deepen that bond with a few useful words too, such as “drink,” “eat” (sure to be a new favorite), and “sit.” With moments such as these, your friendship really will speak volumes!