Get Your Dog to Listen to You

Whisper in my ear, and I’ll follow you anywhere.  Well, that’s how the saying goes.  I bring this up because most of us are used to raising our voices to get a point across.  This can be especially true when we communicate with our dogs after they have done something we are less than pleased with.  Never underestimate the power of a whisper.

The following technique doesn’t work on every dog; because like people, some seem a tad too  – well, let’s just say they aren’t the sharpest knives in the drawer.   If I’m feeling a bit anxious over other things that come up during the day and at the exact time, one of my beloved dogs is not paying attention, I stop, bend down, and whisper nicely in their ear.  Perhaps it is the shift in my tone and posturing that really gets their attention; regardless, it calms both of us.

Let this be a reminder that it’s not our volume that truly gets our dog’s attention and respect.  They pick up on our energy, tone, and posturing even more.  Next time, you are feeling on edge and your dog is contributing to your negative state, stop and whisper in their ear.  It will help to calm you, and they just may follow you anywhere.