DOES YOUR DOG dog think her name is, "No! No!"? Do you shout, "Down!" when you actually intend to ask the dog to not jump up? Poor communication--nagging and sending mixed messages--creates relationship distress for dogs in our lives as well with humans who love us.
The Words of Wellness Web site (wordsofwellness.com) suggests specific ways to build better relationships with loved ones: "Be patient, avoid nagging, speak in soothing tones, practice forgiveness, and find something to laugh about every day."
Dog training requires patience and our belief that our dog wants to please. The family dog is not a small human who understands every word we utter. A few dog friends agreed to discuss ways their human companions confuse them, make them wonder what the relationship rules are, and leave them scratching their heads puzzling: "I thought I knew what to do, but I don't!"
Nikki Whiteaker, miniature schnauzer of Stafford County, wonders why behaviors that her owner encouraged and enjoyed when she was a pup are now behaviors that cause her mom to frown and fuss. Nikki says, "She let me pull on my leash and actually ran with me when I pulled hard as a puppy. What fun! Now that I am grown up my owner corrects and reprimands my pulling. I am confused. I also don't understand how many times my owner is going to say 'Sit!' before she really means for me to sit. Sometimes she says it five times and on the last 'Sit!' she yells the word in a tense voice. It would make more sense to me if she would take her hands and gently guide my bottom onto the ground to show me. Learning to 'Come!' is also confusing: She yells, 'Come! Come! Come!' Finally, I gallop to her. Then, I am punished for not coming fast enough. I have learned that coming when called is not fun."
