| It took me several years to realize I was just talking | | | | human approached. To a dog, humans seem |
| to my dogs. Yes, talking. Not communicating. In | | | | unpredictable. They might have a pizza, but they also |
| humans, it is well known advice that communication is | | | | might try to hug you. Wouldn't you try to control |
| the key to all relationships. Of course, communication | | | | unpredictable as best you could? |
| is a two way street. You can try to make yourself | | | | Unless we humans initiate the action, we are on the |
| clear to another human in one hundred different | | | | defense to strangers. We have created |
| ways, but if they aren't open to listening, you will get | | | | environments where we feel safer about social |
| nowhere. | | | | human-human interactions...bars, restaurants, and |
| Surprisingly, your dog is actually listening to you. | | | | stores. We know on a large scale which of these |
| Desperately listening. He is trying to make sense of | | | | social places we feel most comfortable. We like to |
| your crazy arm movements, your strange eye | | | | hang out with like minded individuals. |
| contact, your weird posturing, and of course your | | | | Why is it, that we expect our dogs to just "get |
| loud voice. | | | | along" with everyone? We can't figure out why they |
| I am guilty of it too. I spent years reading everything | | | | are shy or aggressive towards other dogs or people. |
| I could get my hands on about dog behavior. What I | | | | We want socially perfect dogs. How many people do |
| forgot to do was just listen to what MY dog's were | | | | you know are socially perfect? Surely, not me. I get |
| telling me. My nose buried in a dog training book. My | | | | tired and cranky after a few social hours at a bar. My |
| dog across the room watching me. Wondering what I | | | | friend Kiana can go for hours and hours. |
| would do next. Would I scramble to the kitchen | | | | Maybe what we humans could do for our dogs is |
| when that loud noise started for no reason (the | | | | just sit quietly and listen to them (keeping your paws |
| phone). Would I suddenly jump up and walk into the | | | | to yourself of course). We could stop demanding. |
| room with food (pizza delivery). Would I raise my | | | | We could try and be more predictable for our dogs. |
| voice and jump up and down when that other human | | | | When your dog is staring at you, he might not want |
| showed up (friend coming over), and then proceed | | | | anything. It is just he gets a treat every time, and |
| to dominate them with my arms (hug them). | | | | that is predictable. |
| If I were a dog, I would growl or cower when a | | | | Remember, communication is a two way street. |