When it comes to dog training, many owners EXPECT their dogs to obey their commands in any and every circumstances, this is one-way communication. This perception should change if dog owners want their training sessions with their dogs to be successful.

There are three main ways to verbally communicate with your dog when training and each has its own tone. Always command your dog first; if it responds correctly then praise it. If it does not respond correctly then correct it; however you have to be sure that your dog knows the exercise. Always finish with praise when you are satisfied with your dog’s performance.

Be consistent in your commands and praise, you do not want to end up confusing your dog.

You have to remember that you have to practice TWO-WAY communication when it comes to dog training. Bear in mind that your dog has a mind of its own too. You can know what your dog is thinking or feeling by reading it’s expression and body language.

From our perspective, we are communicating to our dog what behaviors are correct, preferred or desired in what circumstances and which are unwanted behaviors. From our dog’s perspective, their owners must learn what motivates them if the optimum result is desired. Your dog can signal that it is confused, happy, unsure, excited and nervous.

Dogs communicate through their body, vocalization and scent.

Start observing your dog’s body language, look at its tail, eyes, ears, mouth, legs, etc. What it is trying to tell you? Not all dogs that wag their tail are friendly. Sometimes a dog may be wagging its tail, but also is barking at the same time. You have to learn to read these signals as a whole not only a part of the body language.

Barking comes naturally for a dog as a form of communication. They bark for many reasons and the different pitch signifies the different message it carries. Other forms of vocal communication are growling, howling, whining and whimpering.

Dogs use scent communication because the dog’s scent of smell is so sharp, odors can be used to give a dog a lot of information. Sniffing is a major part of greeting behavior between dogs and provides information about the dog’s sex, emotional state, age and possibly social status.

It is important to consider the emotional state of your dog in directing the training because if your dog is distracted or stressed, the training will not be effective as your dog will not learn efficiently.