02/12/2025
Communication >>>>>>>> Control
Using communication rather than dominance or force with your dog will help build a partnership based on trust, understanding, and mutual respect. When you communicate with your dog effectively, you’re teaching them how to behave, rather than just enforcing obedience through fear or control. When you allow your dog to make decisions within a safe framework, you’re essentially giving them a sense of autonomy. This boosts their confidence, mental stimulation, and emotional well-being.
Here are a few reasons why communication is key:
1. Positive Reinforcement: Using positive reinforcement when they make the right choices builds confidence & helps them connect their actions to rewards. Communication helps you guide them by showing what is expected, making it easier for them to learn and follow your cues.
2. Building Trust: When you communicate calmly and clearly, your dog feels safe and knows what to expect from you. They don’t listen out of fear or submission. This strengthens the bond between you and makes them more willing to cooperate.
3. Understanding Their Needs: Dogs can’t talk, but they do communicate through body language and vocalizations. By paying attention to these signals, you can better understand what they need—whether it’s food, attention, or exercise—and respond appropriately.
4. Reducing Anxiety: Dogs can become anxious if they don’t understand why they’re being controlled or if the communication is unclear. A dog that feels heard & understood is more likely to behave in a relaxed and confident manner.
*** Overall, it’s less about asserting dominance and more about fostering a partnership where both of you can coexist and enjoy each other’s company. Striking a balance—where you guide and communicate clearly, but also allow your dog to have a voice in the relationship. This helps them grow, learn, and trust you while still feeling a sense of control over their own actions.
