• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DogsBestLife.com logo

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Learn to speak fluent dog

Posted January 28, 2018

By Terry Jester

Some people really have a way with animals. They might be the grocery store clerk, the bartender at the club, or the lawn maintenance guy, it doesn’t matter — animals gravitate toward them. Why is it that some people are just better with animals? Could it be they’ve learned to speak fluent dog?

speak fluent dog

The answer lies in the ability of that individual to understand, and “speak” the animal’s language. These individuals, either through accident or design, have learned the body language and behaviors of the animals that they encounter.

Sensing this, animals naturally gravitate toward these people. Think about it, if you’re in a foreign country and don’t speak the native language, who will you most likely hang out with — the natives you can’t communicate with, or the people you’ve found that speak your language? Animals are the same way. They gravitate to people who speak fluent dog.

And that’s what it is, a language. Some people, usually professional trainers and behaviorists, speak the language fluently. Others may speak it “conversationally.” Many people can’t speak a word of dog or cat. These are the people who have the most trouble with their pets.

Learning to speak fluent dog or cat can’t be done in a crash course. Like any other language it takes years to master. There are nuances, subtleties, and dialects just like in any other language. In order to be truly fluent, you need to understand them all.

People who can speak “conversational” dog or cat can advance their skills by spending as much time as possible with as many different dogs or cats as they can.

This immersion in the target animal’s language and culture will teach the subtleties and different “dialects” of the different breeds and breed mixtures. Although it never matters where an animal comes from – a dog from Russia will speak the same as a dog from California – it does matter what breed the dog is, as the breed will determine what I call the different dialects of the dog’s language. A miniature poodle, for instance, will make a noise much like the “woo woo” noise the Alaskan malamute will make. However, its meaning is different. The poodle is excited, the Alaskan malamute is impatient, perturbed, or expressing an opinion.

The best way to advance from “conversational” to “fluent” is to volunteer at a local animal shelter and spend as much time as possible with as many animals as you can.

Be aware, though, truly learning to speak fluent dog takes years of immersion. As an example, when I lived in California I was truly fluent in speaking dog and cat. But spoke only conversational horse, even though I had owned a horse for years. It wasn’t until I came to Colorado, bought my ranch, and started rescuing, rehabilitating and training hundreds of different horses that I became truly fluent in “horse.”

It takes time. Most of all, it takes patience and the ability to listen. If you aren’t willing to listen, you’ll never hear what the animals are saying.

Terry Jester is a nationally0recognized expert on companion animal behavior. She is regarded by The Humane Society of the United States as being, “Humane and effective in dealing with problem pets and their owners.” Connect with Terry on her website.

Save

Related Posts

  • Dog body language graphic
    Do you know what these 5 dog body language cues mean?

    Learn to read dog body language so you'll know why…

  • dog tail happy
    Learn how to understand what the dog tail says

    Canines communicate using body language and a dog tail message…

  • Dog body language. Dogs use licking as a way to communicate with their people.
    Why do dogs lick?

    Dogs lick as a way to communicate their moods, level…

  • Man trains border collie.
    Dog training: Speak softly

    Speak firmly, but speak softly, not harshly and loud, and…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Training, Home Page Tagged With: Dog communication

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

  • Thinking of getting a furry friend? Use the DogsBestLife.com perfect dog breed quiz to find the perfect canine companion.

    Take our dog breed quiz to discover the perfect breed for you!

Tags

Separation anxietyPandemicWaterPuppy kindergartenOld dogsPuppy-proofSmall dogsYorkshire terrierSheddingWorking dogsSocializationPit bullPoodleVacation dog caretraining tipsVeterinarianPomeranianPawPet sitterService dogsTicksPotty trainingRescue dogThanksgivingPet parentsOutdoor activitiesTwo dogsRottweilerPetfinder.comValentine's Day

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • Balancing cleanliness and canine comfort: The ultimate guide for dog owners
    Balancing cleanliness and canine comfort is crucial for the well-being of your pet. This guide is for you if you want to achieve this balance. […]
  • The importance of a balanced diet for dogs: Why and how you should care
    Feed your dog a balanced diet with the right mix of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Ensure they get the right amounts to stay healthy. […]
  • Use 5 factors to choose the best veterinarian for your dog
    Research thoroughly and consider location, services, experience, cost, and staff before choosing the right vet for your dog. […]
  • Fight insomnia: 12 tips to help your dog get good sleep
    The most common cause of canine insomnia is pent-up energy. Help your dog sleep all night by ensuring it gets enough exercise. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2023 DogsBestLife.com online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.