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Good relationships between dogs and their owners are based on good communication. Between each other, dogs communicate in a number of ways ... but their body language is one of the most important. It's only natural, then, that they'll use the same methods to communicate with people.

Improving communication between you and your dog

Understanding your dog's behaviour and its body language forms an important building block for happy pet ownership. A well-adjusted and controllable dog that interacts well with people, other animals and its environment is a joy.

Learning about how dogs communicate through body language will help you understand your dog's needs, and will help you teach him or her how to behave appropriately.

Good behaviour should be rewarded

Parents often don't remember to praise their children when they behave well, yet will never forget to tell them when they do not. We tend to do the same with our pets. We ignore them when they are quiet and well behaved and pay them attention only when they behave inappropriately. It's often best to do the reverse - praise and reward desired behaviour, and ignore the unwanted.

First steps: Teaching your dog to sit

One of the most important lessons your puppy or dog should learn is that he or she must sit before interacting with you or any other human. You can easily teach a puppy or even a mature dog to sit. Dogs can learn at any age, as long as lessons are repeated often enough and teaching sessions are short and fun.

Step 1

  • To begin, take a very special food treat, like a small piece of cheese, and hold it between two fingers.
  • Place this hand close to the front of your dog's nose.

Step 2

  • Raise the hand above his/her nose and then backwards. Your dog's head will move to follow the treat.
  • Eventually, your dog will sit, because it will be more comfortable.

Step 3

  • As soon as this is done, say "sit" and give your dog a treat. As a dog always connects what they are doing with what you are doing at the same time, they'll associate the action of sitting with the word "sit" and a reward - at this stage, the food treat.

Tips to stop your dog jumping up and barking

Dogs, just like humans, are social animals and need interaction with others. So withholding your attention is a very effective passive punishment. For example, if your dog jumps up at you or barks excessively, cross your arms, turn your head away and remain absolutely silent until they stop jumping or barking. Don't try to push them away, look at or talk to them. They'll interpret any of these actions on your part as attention, or even play.

When your pet does finally calm down and sit, reward them with your undivided attention and a treat of some kind.

If, in the past, you allowed your puppy or dog to gain your attention by barking or jumping up on you, you must realise that if you subsequently decide to ignore such behaviour, your pet will only try longer and harder to regain that attention. An analogy in human terms would be a person who presses the button of an elevator whose doors do not open. He or she will press the button repeatedly, before giving up and walking down the stairs.

For success - to fully change your dog's behaviour - you must ignore, and outlast, all their efforts.

Eye contact exercises for your dog

Dogs do react to eye contact. Call your puppy or dog by his or her name. As soon as they look at you, you should give them a special treat. Repeating this simple exercise at any time will teach your pet that it is worthwhile to pay attention to you. In fact, calling your pet's name is an effective way of interrupting, and thus eliminating, unwanted behaviour.

Making an unusual sound is another way of interrupting their activity. Once your dog is paying attention to you, you can ask them to come or sit.

How to play with your dog

Puppies and dogs need to exercise and play and to have contact and interaction with both people and other dogs. Old slippers and socks are not suitable playthings. They should be taught to play with toys only and should learn that human hands, feet or any other body part are not toys.

If your pet grabs a hand or foot, either intentionally or accidentally, such behaviour should be interrupted either by withholding your attention (ignoring them) or by making a high-pitched "ouch" sound. As soon as they let go, offer a large toy and resume playing.

If you're feeling like puppy training may be too much to handle alone, don't worry! because there are many puppy training classes who have years of experience to point you in the right direction.

Dog behaviour hints and tips from Brentknoll Veterinary Centre in Worcester

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