Click here for a printable version - PDF

Does your dog ever look at you like he has no idea what you are doing? Does your dog flinch or growl when you touch him in a certain way? Here's how to help your interactions with him NOT get lost in translation.

Here's a good example of how we humans act without thinking when it comes to our dogs. We call "Baxter" to us from across the room. Baxter is enjoying a fun interaction with a carpet beetle but he looks up when we call his name and agreeably trots over to us hoping for something interesting to happen.

In all of our misguided human glory we respond with a pat, pat, pat on Baxter's head. With each touch of our hand on his noggin, he grimaces and tries to duck but he loves us so he tolerates this unwelcome primate intrusion into his body space and gives us a half-hearted doggie grin. We tell him he's a good boy and then go back to what we were doing, satisfied that Baxter came to us and got a valuable reward for his efforts. We walk away with a smile. What great dog trainers we are!

If you really want to know the truth, on a list of about 20 things we could do to reinforce Baxter's most desired behavior, coming when called, patting on the head is only slightly better than giving him a bath. Try it sometime. Walk up to a good friend and instead of a kiss or an affectionate hug, pat them on the top of their head and then ask them how it felt. You'll see an expression not too different from the one Baxter gave us. Grimace, squint, flinch!

If you really want to reinforce coming when called do something your dog really likes. Try sitting on the floor and let him walk right up to you and nuzzle you with his nose. Scratch him on the chest or gently massage his ear. Massage the base of his tail. Throw his favorite squeaky toy. Toss a handful of kibble up in the air and watch him merrily clean up every last crumb. For heaven's sake, do something he likes. Don't let the reward get lost in translation!

Laura Brody, ABCDT and Behavior Counselor