Dog communications go well beyond one word commands like sit, stay, and down. There are many other dog training tools to help you, such as non-verbal communications (body language). Teaching your dog the basic commands is a great way to get your dog to understand what is expected of him, but it’s just the beginning.

You should not have to constantly give your dog commands. He should know instinctively from your previous training that he should not do things like climb onto the furniture, scratch at the door when you go out, shred your personal belongings or bark at every sound he hears. Body language is a great way to let him know right from wrong. The right training will enhance the mutual understanding between owners and their dogs. For example, when training is done correctly, he does not need specific instruction if he knows how to interpret your body language.

Both species communicate using body language, dogs more so. While a dog will make different sounds to communicate, he combines them with body stances that are quickly understood by other canines. This is where we are at a disadvantage until we learn that language.

As humans speak or stand a certain way to demonstrate our feelings, dogs have no idea what we mean. When angry, relaxed or stressed we hold our bodies in a certain way. Sometimes those forms of communication are interpreted entirely different by dogs. Similar poses can have opposite meanings for them.

Being social creatures humans and dogs will work to understand those non-verbal messages. Your dog will gradually know how to interpret certain poses that you take. Seeing this knowledge grow is very rewarding. Add positive dog training methods to magnify the results.

Dog communications benefit best with positive training methods

Perhaps the most important key to effective training is to use positive reinforcement when the dog responds correctly, and being patient and understanding when he does not respond to your commands. This means no yelling or hitting.

Remember that you are both learning each other’s language. The training process is for both of you, not just for your dog. The challenge is to overcome that language barrier. Once you overcome it, the rewards are amazing.

Herding dogs are an excellent example of how dogs can do well with body language commands. Their trainers have mastered the art of teaching their dogs to know instinctively what to do without constant instruction. Instincts, a simple whistle or a hand signal is all the dog needs to get the job done. They know what their job entails – rounding up the sheep – and they do it expertly.

Herding dogs is a perfect example of how non-verbal communications between owner and dog can work. It doesn’t come easily, however, but takes many weeks of practice – failures and successes.

Owner and dog communications don’t have to be difficult, but it does take time, patience and repetition.

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