Hello Volunteers!
We’ve talked about how primates really like to use their hands, and even I can admit that you really hit the evolutionary jackpot with those opposable thumbs. Well, this week we’re leaving other primates in the dust and stepping into territory only humans occupy: spoken language.
Humans say words. Like, a lot of words. LIKE, A LOT OF WORDS ALL THE TIME. Your human words are more than the sum of their parts, and interact with each other in dazzlingly infinite ways. And you know what? Good for you! That’s why you’re in charge and my kind is not. Enjoy the crushing weight of all your responsibilities.
Dogs, on the other hand… We produce a handful of sounds that our fellow species can read like your “writing on the wall.” But a constant stream of individual sounds in quick succession, with each sound’s meaning dependent on innuendo and circumstance? HECK NO.
I hate to say it, but your human words, by themselves, mean nothing to us doggos. And even when we do understand some of your words because of your excellent positive reinforcement training skills, we still might not respond the way you expect.
For your consideration, here are a few reasons why we might not be “listening” to you.
Reason #1 - Words are only a fraction of what you are “saying” to me.
When you talk to us, it’s NEVER just about the words. What you are actually broadcasting, whether you realize it or not, is what I have decided (just now) to call your Total Human Output. “THO” for short. Do we have a trademark attorney in the house? My mom’s law degree has never been so useless to me…
Think of your THO as everything about you: the sounds, movements, and facial expressions you make, your behaviors, and even your smell! While humans are able to choose to ignore some aspects of each other’s THO, I’m afraid that’s largely above our canine pay grade. When you think you know what you’re communicating to your dog, consider the fact that we are likely receiving and processing data you don't intend.
For instance, did you know that due to stress hormones you smell differently to your dog when you’re cuddling together, versus when you’re trying to trim his toenails? While you may use your words in that moment to try to tell us that everything’s going to be ok, the jokes on you because we can 100% tell you are trying not to hyperventilate.
Further, you are SO proud when your Can Do Canine learns a new verbal cue, and rightly so. But regardless of YOUR intention to cue with “verbal only,” I promise WE'RE still watching you and trying to make sense of your body. In the absence of something like a lure, we’ll take in the teeny bob of your chin, or even the suspicious stillness of your right hand desperately trying not to lure!
Speaking of verbal cues (pun intended)... A dog can express a bodily threat to another dog by changing the line of her lips by less than a centimeter. Do you realize that when your human brain decides to say a word your face moves dramatically before you even push a sound out of your throat? Look in the mirror and see for yourself! We’re designed to watch for the tiniest changes in your face, and you are cueing us even before you speak, whether you like it or not.
And since I have you in front of a mirror, go ahead and watch your mouth carefully while saying, “sit, settle.” Please have mercy on us and speak slowly and carefully!
My point here isn’t to discourage you or “call you out” for erratic bodily functions. My point is to demonstrate that while you are primarily focused on speaking your words at us, we are focused on MANY other parts of you as well. Those other parts often “speak” to us just as loudly as your words, and can create some confusing and frustrating mixed messages.
Reason #2 - Sometimes you’re not the most interesting thing in my life, and that’s ok.
I mean this with all due love and respect, but my mom’s words are not as interesting as goose poop on a warm summer’s day. She has learned to accept that should we encounter some on our hikes and she fails to prevent my access, I will be RUNNING THROUGH THE STREETS OF NIRVANA and any tasty treats she brought along have become a distant memory. I will return to her with stories and tales the likes of which she has never dreamed, but it may be a minute or two. And yes. When I get back I expect some string cheese to reward my Herculean effort to return to her in a matter of seconds, not hours. For some reason she always tosses these treatos on the ground, and strictly avoids my mouth parts...
It turns out we are living creatures with interests and needs just like you. While a cookie trumps most things to a Labrador (one of the many reasons we are chosen for assistance work) we can all get lost in the moment. Please don’t punish us or get mad. I promise it doesn’t help, and actually makes us feel far less confident in the relationship and communication we share. Just do your best to keep us safe while you gently steer us back on course.
Reason #3 - I’m having a hard time.
Let’s recognize that no matter how clear and rewarding your communication may be, if your dog is nervous or unwell their response will be slower or may not come at all. This doesn’t make us “naughty.” We are just using the only method we have to communicate that we are struggling. As our partner you want to know when we’re struggling, right? So you can help?
Let’s say we’re doing great on a Target outing, but then you ask me to leave the security of your side to sit shoulder-to-shoulder with that Spot fellow for a photo op. And guess what? Target People have dressed him in a top hat for Halloween (you humans and your costumes, I swear). You get me in position, say, “sit,” and then I do the only reasonable thing available to me. I stare blankly at the clothing rack nearby. You and I both know what “sit” means, but freezing up is the only way I have to show you that there is something more pressing on my mind. Please have compassion in my final moments before the dog mannequin inevitably eats me alive.
And finally… “He’ll do it when I have a cookie, but refuses if I don’t.”
Does this ring any bells? Well, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, this related topic would need its own dedicated article. Perhaps I’ll infiltrate your inboxes with this one another time!
The Big Picture
Communication is the key to any successful partnership. With that in mind, Can Do Canines trains each dog to respond to their person’s communication style. Some clients have mobility limitations that make hand cues difficult. Some clients’ disabilities affect their speech, thus hand cues play a starring role. In fact, did you know that Can Do Canines has trained and placed a dog who can respond to a computer-generated voice?!?! I want that dog’s autograph. No matter where they start on their journey, each dog/human team needs to put in a lifetime of effort to improve and reinforce their communication. It’s hard work, but it’s worth it!
Well, friends. We were SUPPOSED to have one more week together. I had a beautiful essay planned full of sparkling and invaluable insight into the canine artform of barking. However, my mom just started a new job and she is "too busy" to be my typist. C'est la vie. I have lots more I'd love to share some time, so we'll see you again down the road. It's been a pleasure writing for you. Please keep on keeping on with the good work of raising Can Do Canines. Take it from me: your impact goes FAR AND WIDE.
Your friend,
Quest
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