Learn How to Talk Puppy

Throughout the many years that I've worked with dogs, I've learned a lot of little tips that have helped me connect with the pups that I'm walking.  But out of all of those tips, one of most helpful was learning how to "talk puppy."  Yup, that's right, I'm fluent in puppy!

Sounds crazy, I know.  So let me explain...

What I mean by "talking puppy" is to talk enthusiastically to your dog to get his attention. Sounds simple enough. I've told many clients who have issues with their dog pulling on the leash that they should try talking to their dog while out on a walk. They tell me they do that, and the dog still doesn't respond. Then you're not "talking puppy!"

When I first began training dogs, I struggled continually with this concept. I'm generally a very quiet, shy person. So when I was in training class with my dog Elsa and was told to talk to her more, I whispered some "good girl's" to her, with no results.  She had no interest in what I had to say, and I had a difficult time connecting with her and getting her to do what I asked.

It was when I began competing with her in Rally-Obedience that I found my "true voice." In Rally-Obedience, your dog must stay by your side while you walk through an obstacle course. The wonderful thing about the sport is that though you cannot use treats, you can talk to and praise your dog as much as you want throughout the entire course.

During our very first show, Elsa and I were the last to go, so I had the chance to watch the other handlers compete with their dogs.  And I watched as they walked through the course like zombies, as if their dogs weren't even there!  They paid attention only to the course, not to their dogs. And their dogs were distracted, making mistakes, and not listening.  I realized that if I wanted to win, I had to connect with Elsa, and make sure she was having a really good time.  So I put all shyness aside, and I talked to her, A LOT. I told her she was beautiful, I told her she was wonderful, I told her she was amazing.  I was goofy, silly, and enthusiastic.  And she took in every single word. I made Elsa feel on top of the world, and she enthusiastically stayed by my side, rocked the course, and won a blue ribbon!

I have taken what I learned from that experience with the dogs that I walk. What a difference it has made! No longer was I pulled and no longer did I lose a dog's attention when we walked past a distraction.  I had dogs that not only stayed by my side, but enjoyed staying by my side! They loved being told how wonderful they are...I mean, who wouldn't?!

Sounds easy enough, and I'm sure some of you are thinking "well I already talk puppy!" Try talking puppy to your dog when you're walking him outside and see another dog ahead of you. If your dog ignores your talking and only wants to meet the other dog, you're not talking puppy!

Remember, you need to talk to that dog as if he's the greatest thing in the world! Make your voice higher pitched, silly, goofy, and as enthusiastic as possible.  Go ahead, make a fool out of yourself!

And you should practice. Yes, practice talking puppy. Your dog will love it! Start without distractions.  When your pup is dozing or busy chewing a toy, begin telling him how wonderful he is as enthusiastically as you possibly can. No doubt you'll get a wiggly, happy pup bounding up to you to hear more! Then try the same thing when you let him out in the yard, and then on a walk, and then at the dog park; increasing distractions as he learns.  He'll learn to love listening to you talk, and you can use that to keep his attention when you need it most.

And believe me, your dog will let you know whether or not you are properly talking puppy.  If he pays attention to you every time you talk to him, congratulations, you're now fluent in puppy! It's not an easy as it sounds, but once you learn, it'll be one of your best tools in training your dog.

Good dog!