Dog training: Use your most important tool — your voice

Training your dog is essential for several reasons. For one, training your dog can provide mental stimulation that can keep your dog happy and active as they age.

However, pet owners recognize that training their dogs can be a challenge. Training is a long-term chore that will require a lot of your patience and effort, not to mention the need to buy and reward your dog with countless treats.

When training your dog not to jump over a fence, using a GPS dog fence is a wise choice, especially if you know your dog is prone to escape attempts. Rewarding your dog with treats for good behavior is an effective way to reinforce the training.

Training your dog can be challenging, but to ensure your dog remains healthy as they age, it’s essential to schedule regular training sessions. If you start training your dog as soon as possible, you will achieve better results.

When combined with exercise, training your dog will leave them mentally and physically tired at the end of the day, making it easier for them to fall asleep at night. Extra sleep improves your dog’s immune system. 

Voice and volume matter

Your dog training voice — both in tone and volume — is a crucial tool for effectively communicating your feelings to your dog.

The tone of your command voice can influence your dog’s behavior and affect their decision about whether to follow your order.

Contrary to popular belief, training your dog requires not only the proper commands but also a tone that conveys authority, so you can capture your dog’s attention so it won’t hesitate to follow your instructions.

Words, for the most part, until your dog learns an association, are “blah, blah, blah” to your dog. But how you say the words in your dog training voice sends them a clear message.

Your tone and volume project pleasure, pride, love, disappointment, concern, sadness, caution, and correction.

The correct volume is vital. If you are always yelling at your dog, it is more likely that they have tuned you out.

Speak to them in a normal tone of voice, so that if there is an emergency and you have to raise your voice, you will get their attention immediately.

Really want to get their attention while training? Whisper. Watch their expression.

To achieve expert results, similar to those of Flash Dog Training, it’s essential to know which voice to use when training your dog.

This information may be all you need to help your dog listen to you and become the most obedient pet.

Training tips

Dog training voice: 5 tones

• Cheerful (higher volume, high-pitched — silly, happy): Expresses fun, and your pleasure and pride in your dog’s behavior. Your dog will respond with their head high, ears perked, and tail wagging. They learn to associate that specific behavior they just performed with pleasing you. It is a simple and clear message.
• Soft and reassuring (lower volume, higher pitch – soothing): Expresses your love and concern. Your dog associates this tone with bonding.
• Disappointed (lower volume, lower pitch — commanding yet friendly): Your dog associates your disapproval with a particular behavior. You will notice your dog’s head and ears drop, and their tail is lowered or tucked.
• Firm (lower volume and lower pitch — authoritative, serious): Give commands and corrections once, in a firm tone of voice. It gets your dog’s attention and respect. Use it when you give a command and have to correct, in such a way that your dog focuses on you. Your dog will get the message, “Better do it right now!” or “Oops, I just blew it!”
• Caution (higher volume and pitch may be high or low): This can catch your dog off guard. Gets your dog’s attention immediately. Expresses watchfulness. Do not overuse this! It will lose its effectiveness if overused. Use it only in extreme or dangerous situations.

Find the right tone for your dog

The difference in the tone and volume of male and female voices during training plays a significant role in how many dogs respond to their owners.

Men often have to learn to raise their pitch, show a positive response, and lower their volume to get their dog’s attention.

Women often have to learn to lower their voices, project a more authoritative, firm tone, and raise the volume so their dogs can hear them.

To effectively communicate with your dog, learn to control the volume and tone of your voice, so your dog will learn to respond accordingly.

Please use different tones when training your dog and assess which tone best catches your dog’s attention.

As mentioned, training your dog is a long-term task, so be prepared to implement and refine any strategies you use.

Avoid common mistakes

• Yell at your dog constantly
• Use an inconsistent tone
• Overuse the caution tone
• Give mixed signals with your voice
• Ignore your dog’s responses to your tone

Bottom line on dog training voice

Your volume and tone of voice are fundamental in training your dog.

Be prepared to back it up with action. When you are pleased with your dog’s behavior, bend down or squat, and with open arms, welcome them and show them how happy or proud you are of them.

When issuing a command or making a correction, stand tall and project a presence.

Karen A. Soukiasian is the owner of Good Dog! — Dog Training in St. Augustine, Florida. You can follow Karen on Facebook.

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