The Importance Of Verbal Communication In Dog Training
Training a dog takes a lot of effort and patience on your part. It just does not happen overnight. It is something that takes place over a period of weeks and months. And verbal communication plays a very crucial and important role in imparting training to a canine. It is in fact a package of all three - that is - your tone of voice, verbal commands and body language that SPEAKS to a dog. It gets a lot of information from the way you move and speak. Common words like ‘heel’, ’sit’, ’stay’, are familiar to most people as words which all trained dogs are familiar with. But incorporating all these techniques together is what will train the dog in the best way possible. Also ensure that he treats you as ‘boss’, since he would love to be boss if given a chance. But when you train, command obedience without raising a stick.
Sometimes a word is never sufficient and the dog might actually be confused. It takes a little bit of action on your part to make him understand. If you want him to sit, either make that action with your hand or tap him on the rump and say SIT, this will make it more clear as to what you expect him to do. Always remember while training a dog, do not sound confused or allow your voice to falter; this will send a wrong message to him. He will feel like he does not need to do what you want. But when you speak, sound firm and authoritative. He will realize that you mean business, and there is no way he can get out of it. Do not keep saying, stay, stay, stay. He will be totally lost. Instead say it firmly once accompanied by an action, and he will get the point. Reward is an important part of training. Use his favourite food or a toy to reward him when he obeys and does what you want him to. He will realize that master is happy and will obey you the next time you say ’stay’. Indulge in praising him every time he does something good; in a light and happy voice accompanied by a smile. They are just like children and understand when you are upset and when you are happy with them.
It is tiring, but verbal communication makes it very much easier for him to deliver more or less what you want. Actions are never enough. And dogs are understanding creatures, so it is easy for them to sense what you mean.