Dog training: Use your most important tool — your voice

Training your dog is essential for a lot of reasons. For one, training your dog can provide mental stimulation that can keep your dog happy and active as they age. When combined with morning exercises, training your dog will make them mentally and physically tired at the end of the day, making it easy for them to doze off at night. The more sleep your dog gets, the healthier its immune system is. 

However, pet owners understand that training their canine friends can be a struggle. This 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, as well. Training your dog can be challenging, but if you want your dog to remain healthy as they age, you should schedule sessions with your furry friend. If you start training your dog as soon as possible, you will be able to see better results.

Voice and volume matter

Your dog training voice — both tone and volume — is an essential tool you have to communicate your feelings with your dog. The tone of your voice can influence your dog’s behavior and can affect their decisions about whether or not they should follow your order. Contrary to popular belief, training your dog will not only require you to say the right commands, but your tone also should depict authority so your dog won’t think twice about following your instructions.

Words, for the most part, until your dog learns an association, are just “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, more likely than not, they have tuned you out. Speak to them in a normal tone of voice, so should there be 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!

If you want to get expert results, similar to Flash Dog Training, it’s essential to know what kind of voice to use whenever you’re training your dog. This information might be the only thing you’ll need for your dog to listen to you and become the most obedient pet!

Dog training voice: 5 distinguishing 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 correction 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, your dog focus 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)- Catches your dog off guard. Gets your dog’s attention immediately. Expresses watchfulness. Do not overuse this! It will lose its effectiveness if overused. Save it for only extreme or dangerous situations.

Find the right tone for your dog

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

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

Women often have to learn to lower the tone of their voice, to project a more authoritative, firm message and raise the volume so their dog 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. Spend some time using different tones when training your dog and assess which among these catch their attention. As mentioned, training your dog is a long-term task, so be ready to implement and improve any strategies that you will use.

Bottom line

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 giving a command or making a correction, stand tall, look as big as possible. Always be consistent and project the image, good or bad; YOU are in charge! Try it; it works!

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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