Communicating with Dogs

Awaiting directions...

Dozer is my buddy, and when he came to live with me, I had to learn a new way to communicate with him because he is deaf. Fortunately, his foster family was kind enough to share the hand signals they used to communicate with him. But I noticed something when Mickey Finn came to live with us and he can hear. I use verbal commands AND the hand signals for them. What I noticed is that using the hand signals forced Mickey to react better, especially when walking both of them together. Since he learned the signs, sometimes I don't even have to use the verbal, but he responds the right way, because he visually checks in with me every few minutes.

Think about it, dogs react to visual stimulation in addition to verbal commands. To strengthen a proper response, combine the verbal with motion with your hand. The more motion, the more they pay attention. Make up your own signs or use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate better with your dogs. I use the signals that Dozer already knows, some ASL, and even some of the roller derby ref signals to issue a command or make a comment to them. Here are the basic ones that I use to better talk with them.

Sharing a Feeling:
Good Dog - the "thumbs up" like Fonzie did on Happy Days.
Bad Dog - the "thumbs down" action, the opposite of Good Dog.
I love you - the ASL sign for "I love you."
You make me happy - point at them, yourself, then the ASL for smile.
You make me sad/frustrated - point at them, yourself, then the ASL for frown.

Commands:
Sit - I point down, and move my hand up and down at least 3 times.
Lay Down - flat hand, horizontal, and raise and lower my arm at least 3 times.
Stay - vertical hand in the traditional "DO NOT CROSS" position at a crosswalk.
Come - vertical hand, palm facing you, arm moving back & forth (pulling something to you).
Get back together - from roller derby, the "pack is here" signal.
Go away - Roller derby "return to the bench" when cleaning up after them, & they are bothering you.

Questions:
Ready to eat - hand positioned as if it is holding a sandwich, tap your lips at least 3 times.
Want to go for a walk - 1st 2 fingers extended, hand horizontal, simulating a person walking.
Want to go potty - make a "toilet bowl" with one hand, and poke it with a finger on the other hand.

I have a LOT more signals that I use with my dogs, so ask if your interested in some other suggestions. But the key is that dogs DO respond fairly well to verbal commands, but they respond even better when you combine a hand sign (with some motion) with it. It forces them to check in with you every few minutes on a walk, and when they can't hear you, at least they learn the action command that you are issuing them... Good luck with your puppy... Make sure you hug them at least 3 times per day...

Dozer Again

Hey... This is Dozer again, I guess I do have a thumb or just have gotten really good at typing with one paw. Regardless, just wanted to share some perspectives.

I don't appreciate that my companion brought another dog into my life, but I can understand why he did. Having another pup around keeps me involved in life, and it is my responsibility to help train him to be a good companion. Plus, he saved his life, so I have to give him a little credit.

He saved me too, when he welcomed me into his house. I was extremely overweight, and had rear hip issues that were threatening to shorten my life. I'll never forget the first time he met me, I licked him all over and he didn't have a problem with that. I pooped in his yard, and he just laughed. A week later, I came to live with him.  He even slept on the dining room floor with me for 2 months while my hip surgery healed so I wouldn't have to go up the stairs. While I am considered a "large" breed, I was raised around 6 other Great Danes, so I was small in comparison. But he welcomed me in.

He changed my name to "Dozer" because on my first visit, I bulldozed through his Christmas tree, and I like to sleep all the time (to "doze"). He could change my name because I'm deaf, so whatever he verbally says to me, I ignore. Unfortunately he knows American Sign Language (ASL), so he talks to me all the time. I've had to endure several diatribes by watching his fingers, but at least we can talk. I just wish I had thumbs to talk back to him, but I do have a tongue and a tail to wag, so he knows what I mean.

Overall, life has been pretty damn good with him. He is my buddy, keeps me warm in winter, cool in summer, and always has water for me. I'm trying to teach Mickey Finn to be his next companion, but he is definitely challenging. Time will tell... stay tuned...