tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post3970753838088014989..comments2024-03-19T03:18:19.137-04:00Comments on KILLER HOBBIES: Talk to the AnimalsBetty Hechtmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14652848311122102223noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-62013927310592693842009-02-20T23:06:00.000-05:002009-02-20T23:06:00.000-05:00I always tells my cats and dog that I love them an...I always tells my cats and dog that I love them and I can tell by way they just stay there while I say it that they understand. Maybe the kisses help too.Betty Hechtmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14652848311122102223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-2397919055916346832009-02-20T13:17:00.000-05:002009-02-20T13:17:00.000-05:00Oh, I of course, never mean those death threats - ...Oh, I of course, never mean those death threats - but they let me blow off steam, and sometimes laugh at myself because they sound sillier when said in a really nice tone of voice. (Once my neighbor overheard me saying in a sugary sweet voice "I'm going to turn your fur into nice, warm glove linings once I catch you" and she burst out laughing, which got my dog to run over to her to see if she wanted to play!)<BR/><BR/>Oh, and for some dogs that are running away or playing 'you-can't-catch-me' with you, I recommend throwing yourself on the ground (or crouching down, depending on ground and body conditions) and pretending to cry as loudly as possible. Many dogs will come up to see if you're okay, and if you gently start petting a foot or muzzle (while you keep crying), you can usually slowly work your way to their collar, and then get a good grip on them. Don't wonder what others might think of your behavior - your dog getting loose, hit by a car, is no time to care about what the neighbors think.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-46358953669708985982009-02-20T13:09:00.000-05:002009-02-20T13:09:00.000-05:00Yes, tone is vital. I tell people that yelling in...Yes, tone is vital. I tell people that yelling in a mad tone of voice might make them feel better, but the dog won't come back to them because they sound so scary. On the other hand, swearing and death threats said in the sweetest, most gentle voice stand a much better chance of having the dog come back (this for when they're running around or away).<BR/><BR/>Body language to communicate with dogs isn't too hard to learn, and dogs understand it much better and faster than human words in any language. I cannot recommend highly enough books by Patricai McConnell (The Other End of the Leash) and Brenda Aloff (Get Connected with Your Dog, and Canine Body Language, the Photographic Guide) to give people the best info to interact with their dogs.<BR/><BR/>Janie, you should try turning away from Max every single time he starts jumping up. Ignoring him and not making any sound will communicate that his jumping won't get your attention (and saying 'get down, leave me alone, ooof' actually gives him attention. However, the moment he stands still, or better yet, sits (generally because he's confused by your non-reaction), a very quiet, "good dog" and a treat thrown at his feet (away from you) will show him what kind of behavior gets rewarded. Good Luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-83456517696818889552009-02-19T15:30:00.000-05:002009-02-19T15:30:00.000-05:00Tone absolutely does matter, Shannon! I've found ...Tone absolutely does matter, Shannon! I've found that my Lexie assumes when I'm scolding Mystie that I'm mad at her, too. I have to go and find Lexie and make sure she knows she's not in the doghouse!<BR/>--LindaLinda O. Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01512430135042480450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-7900095600614422182009-02-19T15:11:00.000-05:002009-02-19T15:11:00.000-05:00Very interesting!I know that my dogs pay attention...Very interesting!<BR/><BR/>I know that my dogs pay attention to the tone of my voice. If I catch one of them doing something and the dog knows he's in trouble, the dog runs in the other direction when I call. No amount of yelling will get the dog to come to me, but if I use my sweet coaxing tone he can't wait to get to my side.Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08334344363609759815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-69620301753377077512009-02-19T14:58:00.000-05:002009-02-19T14:58:00.000-05:00Janie--Max sounds like a loving dog so I'd like to...Janie--Max sounds like a loving dog so I'd like to think he's at least apologizing to you. I'd like to know what my younger Cavalier Mystie thinks that sunbeams and reflections are saying to her, since she's always chasing them!<BR/>--LindaLinda O. Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01512430135042480450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731159552335760887.post-81210398408845500762009-02-19T14:52:00.000-05:002009-02-19T14:52:00.000-05:00Hi Linda, I don't have a pet anymore, but when I d...Hi Linda,<BR/> I don't have a pet anymore, but when I did, I tried to figure out what she was saying by her eyes. As for Max, the boxer that broke my finger, I hope that he's saying he is sorry every time I come into my daughter's house but I don't think he cares because he is still jumping up on me. Maybe he's trying to tell me he loves me!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com