Am I Doing Something Wrong Here?

• 11-11-2007 3:59 AM

  sillysally Joined on 09-10-2007 Indiana Posts 3,442 Points 0

  Am I Doing Something Wrong Here? Reply Contact  I hear people talk about how their dogs understand English beyond commands.  I have to wonder what's up with mine, because we don't have to spell or anything at home.  They understand tone of voice, actions (picking up the leash, bowl, etc), they both know that when the theme song for the show "Charmed" comes on it's almost time for me to leave for work and they will get let out to go potty, and they know that when I put certain clothes on something is happening--either crate or walk.  However, neither of them respond to particular words unless they are a command.  Am I doing something wrong?  "Some men aren't looking for anything logical. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn."

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• 11-11-2007 8:12 AM

  In reply to sillysally

  FourIsCompany Joined on 07-30-2007 Posts 4,738 Points 1,135

  Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong Here? Reply Contact I don't think you're doing anything wrong.   And when people say that dogs understand English, I suspect it's more of an "extra-sensory perception" going on. It is for me. But OTOH, I can say, "Do you wanna go..." and they perk up and are ready to go wherever. I mean, they know the sound of those words together and that they mean we're going somewhere. I talk to my dogs a LOT. I expect them to "read" my tone of voice and they do. I can say, "B'asia, stop biting your sister and lie down" in a certain tone. and she does. She goes to her bed, lies down and puts her head on her paws and looks at me... It's a little like magic...  So, I think that's what people mean when they say their dogs understand English. It's more of a transfer of an idea that actual understanding of the words. JMO. LSTM (Laughing Silently to Myself) Click Daily to Give Free Food and Care to Animals: http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

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• 11-11-2007 8:50 AM

  In reply to sillysally

  timsdat Joined on 03-05-2007 Florida Posts 2,055 Points 220

  Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong Here? Reply Contact Along with tone and inflection dogs will pick up on a key word in what you are saying.  For example of I say "do you want dinner" or "lets get dinner" or "it's dinner time" they will react the same way.  I believe that they are hearing "blah blah blah Dinner blah blah".  They are keying on the same word "Dinner" which I have used enough by itself so it doesn't matter what context I use it in they will react.  You can teach these key words by just using that single key word all the time with the event in question until they pick up the key word then you can use other words around it.  If you have a dog that likes to listen to you they will pick it up.  My dogs know a lot of key words for events etc just because I have consistanly used them all the time with these events.  It looks like they are really understanding complete sentences and a really neat trick.  If fact watch someone that has one of those amazing dogs that seem to do things just on speech and if you watch enough you will start to be able to pick up their key words. Some of the downside is when you are having a conversation with someone else and a dog picks up on the key word.  I can't use the term "cookie" in normal conversation because my dogs always react when they hear it.   Steve and the pups Timmy and Sprite

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• 11-11-2007 10:26 AM

  In reply to timsdat

  Dog_ma Joined on 06-25-2007 San Diego County, California Posts 1,353 Points 795

  Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong Here? Reply Contact  Sasha doesn't understand sentences, but she does know an ever growing number of words that have to do with food.  They aren't commands, and they aren't even used when talking to her.  She has picked up things like "chicken" and "mac n cheese" from observing the family.  I can ask my daughter if she'd like mac n cheese, and Sasha will light up and wag tail hopefully. I don't think there is anything wrong with dogs not having a lot of English words under their belts.  Dogs are far better at reading body language than they are understanding words.  Sasha is way more reliable with her hand signal commands than her verbal ones.  Dogs have also been shown (in multiple scientific experiments) to be better than apes and young human children at following people's eye gaze and guessing what they mean.  Dogs are also better than wolves. I have a feeling that they are also very good at predicting human intentions based on past experience, so that if you've told him or her not to do X in the past, and one day you causally say "hey that bothers me" there is a decent chance the dog will make a guess about the purpose of that speech.  There is something unique about dogs and their ability to figure out human intentions based on body language.  The verbal stuff, which we humans put so much stock in, is just a cherry on top of the icing on top of the cake. The only reason Sasha knows the words she knows is that they all signal things of high value to her. Mostly food. "Cat" is another one. She is the self-appointed defender of the yard, and must remain vigilant against barbarian cat raids. "Are you a dog trainer?" "No, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night."

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• 11-11-2007 12:46 PM

  In reply to Dog_ma

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 7,298 Points 1,975

  Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong Here? Reply Contact I think the range of this is pretty individualized.  But I wouldn't say you're doing anything 'wrong' per say, Christina. I'm another one who talks TO my dogs conversationally ALL the time.  Now I've got one little one (my geriatric Miss Kee) who has been with us nearly 2 years now and she's still in her own little world and really doesn't respond much to conversation.  But then I'll admit -- I try REALLY hard to get into their heads.  I try to read mood and intent all the time and work it into what 'we' talk about.  Great example - we have a 'visitor' this weekend.  We're sitting for my boss's dog for the weekend.  Laddy's a bright boy -- VERY much so.  He was trained as a CCI dog (Canine Companions for Independence) but failed his last cut and my boss adopted him.  But they interact with him very differently than we do and it's been interesting to watch him watch US this weekend.  Billy is flat out miserable.  He can't 'object' to Laddy -- he knows, first off, I'm not going to allow ANY "unpleasantness" at all.  Laddy knows Billy's the male alpha and he doesn't try in any way to punch Billy's buttons.  I've been careful to make sure Billy gets attention.  But ... dang it all Mom HE DOESN'T LIVE HERE!!!! Luna, on the other paw, is IN LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEE.  Laddy likes to run and 'play' which is something Billy does far to little of (in Luna's estimation).  It's simply that for ME, the enhanced communication is just a byproduct of how I deal with my dogs.  And interestingly, Laddy's learned a lot this weekend.  He was pretty freaked Thursday nite - he came with me willingly (he's never "been away from home" before since they adopted him -- never been kennelled or in daycare, nor even at the vet's overnight) but he was WORRIED. But I told him before we left "his house" Friday night "You'll only be with me three beddytimes" (showing fingers).  We've counted them down day by day and it has calmed him significantly -- he's not ready for 3rd grade math/arithmetic .. but he's gotten a lot of comfort from the concept that this is *temporary* and his people will be back tonight. It's a more sophisticated concept -- reducing worry by expressing something that will happen IN THE FUTURE.  But much of it simply reflects what you want our of your relationship with your dog.

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• 11-11-2007 12:52 PM

  In reply to timsdat

  firedogk9 Joined on 10-21-2007 Jamesville, NY Posts 263 Points 375	Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong Here? Reply Contact timsdat: I believe that they are hearing "blah blah blah Dinner blah blah".   There was a really cute Far Side cartoon long ago that said this very same thing. Dawn www.avatark9.com It is only a bite if you have to get stitches, otherwise it is just a kiss!!
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• 11-11-2007 1:02 PM

  In reply to firedogk9

  glenmar Joined on 09-10-2007 Northwestern Michigan Posts 11,511 Points 405

  Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong Here? Reply Contact Maybe its because I talk to my dogs so danged much that they are starting to pick up really vast amounts of speech. Yesterday when I was in the office and Sheba was chewing on that bone and the grating on her teeth was bugging the snot out of me, my back was turned to her....I was online.  I said "sweetie, take that out in the other room.  I'ts really bugging me."  Very calmly, very matter of factly, very much like I'd say bless you if she had sneezed. She didn't take it out in the other room, but she stopped chewing on it.  Immediately.  Maybe "it's really bugging me" was a clue of some kind, but I dont think so.  At that exact moment in time, Sheba knew PRECISELY what I wanted her to do.  How?  Don't know, don't care, but by golly, she got the message! A house without fur is not a home. Glenda

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• 11-11-2007 5:00 PM

  In reply to glenmar

  Chuffy Joined on 12-17-2006 UK Posts 5,510 Points 10

  Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong Here? Reply Contact I could swear that Max knows some English.  Not sure how much, but some.  Like, today we got back from a walk (and this has happened before) and he was panting and looking tuckered out and panting some more.....  So I said "just get a drink if you are thirsty" in a vaguely exasperated way.  There was a pause and then... clickity click on the hard floors as he toddled of to the water bowl in the hall way and then schlurp schlurp splash gulp....  It was only AFTER it had happened that I realised I'd suggested something and he TOTALLY seemed to say: "yeah actually thats not a bad idea.  Thanks".  It was.... weird. "Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life." (Pratchett, Jingo) "I used to look at [my dog] Smokey and think, 'If you were a little smarter you could tell me what you were thinking,' and he'd look at me like he was saying, 'If you were a little smarter, I wouldn't have to.'" - Fred Jungclaus

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• 11-11-2007 5:12 PM

  In reply to Chuffy

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 7,298 Points 1,975

  Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong Here? Reply Contact We've got a visitor this weekend -- my boss & family had to go out of town so I have his BIG white lab, Laddy.  Now Laddy's a good boy (he was in training to be a CCI dog and failed the final cut) but their family and mine are as different as day is night. I've mentioned before that neither David nor I are sports fans.  In fact quite the opposite.  You wouldn't hear sports here in a million years.  And we don't watch TV for news either so they don't hear anything about it. However, last year when Billy was so sick with IMHA and was up at U FL in their ICU for 3 weeks, you can't be around anyone up there without hearing about Gator fever.  I actually saw Billy checking out T-shirts -- I assumed it was his way of knowing students from visitors. Well, my boss, the attorney, is a Gator and a MAJOR Gator at that.  And Laddy's bed?  Yep -- it's orange/blue and sports a big old Gator on the side of it.  My husband saw it and cringed and made some comment to me and I said 'better watch what you say -- you know our middle child IS also of that persuasion (and I deliberately didn't give a verbal clue as to who I meant). David looked at me like I was out of my mind.  I had FOUR dogs sitting in front of me -- Laddy, Luna, Billy and Kee.  I simply said "Go Gators!" Laddy AND BILLY got all excited!!! My husband -- was mortified LOL Billy didn't get excited because Laddy did -- in fact he had his back TO Laddy.  Billy recognized the phrase.  If he asks to go to a game I'm ... in trouble.

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• 11-11-2007 7:04 PM

  In reply to calliecritturs

  jennie_c_d Joined on 09-10-2007 Southeast Georgia Posts 8,710 Points 75

  Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong Here? Reply Contact Emma is my understanding dog. Teenie.... lives in her own little bubble. Not all dogs want to talk to people, and some... can't. Teenie would love to let herself understand, but she's afraid. She is too scarred to even figure out the basics.   Emma understands most of everything. Honestly? I don't think it's the English she's getting. I think it's something deeper. She understands things that I had no idea a dog could or would understand. In May, one of her best buddies passed away. His mom and I made a play date for Emma and Spar's brothers. I had to email Callie for help, because I didn't know what to do. Emma knew that Spar was sick, but I didn't think that she would understand why he hadn't come to play. I thought, for sure, she'd be looking for her friend. I sat her down before we left, and I told her exactly what happened. I told her that Spar was sick. He was very, very sick. His mom took him to the vet's, but they couldn't help him, and Spar died. He is all better, now (insert tail wag). He's at the Rainbow Bridge (wiggle, waggle, wiggle), but he can't play with us any more. He won't be at the park. "Ok, mom."   We got to the park, first. I sat her down, again, and explained it the same way. It was simple, and to the point. She was happy that her friend was better. She never once looked for him.   I don't think you're doing anything wrong at all. I just think it's a difference in the way we do things. I talk, constantly. I talk when I'm alone. I talk to plants. I talk to the ocean. I talk to my dogs, and other peoples' dogs. I talk to fish and birds and cats and bugs. It could be a difference in perception, too. I expect that certain dogs will understand me. Maybe some of them coincidentally act a certain way, so I believe that they understood. Mischeif N Miracles, CGC, RE (PRT, 10/13/2003) Libby's Monkey N The Middle (Chinese Crested, 1/26/2008) Teenie Weenie at the Bridge (Dachshund, ???-12/28/2007)

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• 11-11-2007 7:27 PM

  In reply to jennie_c_d

  Truley Joined on 08-27-2006 Louisville, Ky Posts 1,607 Points 110

  Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong Here? Reply Contact Your not doing anything wrong, honestly. I think it is a combination of words and tone. This morning I was not feeling so well, as I was getting dressed I was talking to myself, I was trying to decide if I was up for a 3 mile walk in the cold chilly air or if I should just take Kord outside for an extended play session in the yard. I said the words, walk, outside and yard. Kord went to the front door and nosed the box where his leash is, so, we went for a walk. Do I think he understood my whole conversation? Nope. But you have to admit it is kind of free thinking, he did not run to the back door, he chose the front. Many moons ago my husband was with me for Halloween and still getting to know Babe. While we sat outside he held her leash and talked to her all night. One of things he said was if she was a good girl he would take her for a ride in the truck as soon as we were done. Imagine his surprise when we were taking things in and he went to his truck to get something and she jumped right in! Hehe, the look on his face was priceless. She did get her ride too, he was to impressed not to give her one. Did she understand all his talking? Nope but she understood the word ride, and it was one of her favorite pastimes, and by golly she was gonna get one. I have always talked to my pets, each and every one of them. And yes in this house there are few words I have to spell. Frisbee is the major one but there are a few others.

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• 11-12-2007 11:38 AM

  In reply to Truley

  KarissaKS Joined on 06-01-2007 La Crosse, WI Posts 629 Points 795

  Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong Here? Reply Contact Well, I think there's something to the idea that if you talk in a more conversational manner to your dog that they tend to pick up more.  Luke and I live alone, for example, so he's the only person I have to talk to when I'm home.  So yes, I often speak to him like he's a person and I think he picks up on some of that. He's spooked me a few times with all the stuff he can understand.  If he's going to town on a rawhide bone I'll say, "Luke, don't you think you should save some of that for tomorrow?"  He'll look at me, look at the bone and then get up to go lay over by the couch or on his bed.  Sometimes he really, really wants that bone and he'll come back -- I'll say, "Luke, what did I say?" and then he'll leave it for the rest of the night. In the summer he's famous for trying to drink 5 gallons of water at a time.  Normally I don't try to regulate what he drinks, but I don't want him drinking a ton of water before bed time.  If I hear him drinking forever I can call out, "That's enough, Luke" and he'll leave his water dish. Once on a walk I told him that it was his last chance to go to the bathroom -- very conversationally and I didn't use any key words like potty or whatnot.  He looked at me, trotted over to a spot in the tall grass and pooped.  I swear my dog knows English.  I could go on and on.  But honestly, this is a dog who has been vastly socialized his entire life and treated more like a human than a dog. Luke -- Lab/Shepherd (1-1-04) Open Versatility, EAC, EJC, TN-E, TG-E, HP-O Kaiser -- Alaskan Klee Kai (12-30-07) Future Agility Star!

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• 11-12-2007 12:20 PM

  In reply to KarissaKS

  SalemsMom Joined on 10-19-2007 Western Maryland Posts 787 Points 100

  Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong Here? Reply Contact I don't know that Salem knows english, but he knows a lot of words to make you think he does. I'm also one of those people that talks to my dog constantly. I'm sure he picks up on body language too. Last night he was playing a little rough with a stuffy toy and I said to his just really normally, "If you play to rough with him it's going to break and then you wont be able to play with it anymore". He stopped shaking the toy and got one more suited to rough play, lol. There weren't any key words in there but he knew what I wanted. Stuff like that happens all the time so I'm sure he know the words but he knows what I want. btw: off topic, but Luke looks a lot like Salem!

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• 11-12-2007 12:33 PM

  In reply to SalemsMom

  mudpuppy Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 5,497 Points 100

  Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong Here? Reply Contact I think dogs are mostly cueing off body language, situation, tone, and a few key words they've managed to pick up.  Thinking they somehow understand full sentences they've never heard before? forget it. Try saying the sentence in a different tone of voice or in a different location or using a different posture and you won't get the same comprehension.

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• 11-12-2007 1:31 PM

  In reply to mudpuppy

  Maxs Mom Joined on 09-26-2006 Livonia, MI Posts 1,583 Points 100

  Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong Here? Reply Contact Maxine used to be in tune to that. We could be having a conversation, without changing my tone, using Max's name, or looking at her I could give her a command and she would do it. She also used to be able to differentiate things. We keep all our dog toys in a crate in the basement, I could say "go get bear" and she would run down and not return until she had bear. If he wasn't in the crate she would find him. Now bear is Max's favorite toy so I would test her with other objects that we never necessarily instilled a name on, and if I said go get "whatever" she would come back with that item over her bear. She still does it to a degree, however she would now rather have us go downstairs with us rather than go herself and bring it back. Let me ask you, who has who trained? I have not tested her in a long time, so I don't know if she would still do it or not. I do know that they know the difference when my DH and I talk about cookies for us or cookies for the dogs. Ann & Art Maxine CGC, UADNJIII, DDNJ-r (11 yr old Golden) Belle NJP, NAJ, OJP, CGC, UAGI, UADSJ, UADJJ (5 Black Lab) Teddi UADJJ, UJJ, CGC (1 1/2 yr old Golden) Pete 14 yr old TB

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