In Dialogue with Your Dog

The dog knows all the classic commands, can perhaps even shake a paw, and yet in some situations is no longer responsive. "Why is he barking on the leash – he just walked past two dogs so well?" "Why doesn't he come when called – we built it up so well?" "Why doesn't he want to cuddle – is our relationship not right?"

We live closely with our dogs, and there would actually be no reason to think further about it, if it weren't for those dear little misunderstandings in communication between humans and dogs.

"Why is my dog doing what he's doing right now?" – Being in dialogue means exchanging ideas and being interested in the other's point of view. Awareness and attentiveness to the dog's signals prevent problems.

What communication tools are available to the dog to draw attention to himself – when does he have a genuine concern and when is he manipulating his human?

What are the owner's responsibilities, how can the dog get involved and help?

In understandable communication, voice and body come into play – for both humans and dogs. The better the dog's information is understood, the easier it is to find solutions. The more conscious and clear our demeanor is in dialogue with the dog, the more security can be conveyed. Together with the dog, one can learn how to get involved physically and vocally.

I will show what changes in posture, quiet or loud signaling, or just facial expressions can achieve. The leash is an important tool in communication with the dog, and I will illustrate how it can be used for this purpose.

Our speaker

Ursula Löckenhoff is the founder of the animal welfare association Galgo-Hilfe e.V. The trained dog physiotherapist runs a dog hotel in Düsseldorf and shares her daily life with both well-socialized dogs and those with little human imprint. She is regularly a guest on television as a dog and animal welfare expert.

More about the speaker: www.bene-bello.de and www.dog-media-team.de/

Photo credit: Anna Auerbach/ Kosmos