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Home » Training » Dogs » Training Your Dog Through Your Tone

Training Your Dog Through Your Tone

Why Your Tone of Voice Matters in Dog Training

By Cara Lederman

Building a strong relationship with your dog is essential to successful dog training. Positive reinforcement is a style of training that strengthens the bond between you and your dog, and allows for clear communication. Clear communication and having an understanding of what your dog responds to best will help you greatly in your training.

Dogs respond best to a happy and upbeat tone of voice. This is critical when you need to redirect your dog. If your dog is barking at something, say his name followed by “That’ll Do!” If necessary and your dog is on a leash, walk backwards to assist your dog with turning his body so he can face you.

Once you have your dog’s attention, praise him and then distract him for a few minutes by practicing some known obedience cues. Barking is a self-rewarding behavior so using a happy tone of voice will attract him. Your dog will realize it is rewarding for him to focus on you. Below are scenarios where you should watch your tone.

Attacking Another Dog

When a dog is barking and lunging at another dog or person, it is common for owners to yell “No!” at their dogs. However, yelling usually doesn’t make the dog stop and turn around to focus on the owner. The dog may just think his owner is joining his barking to get the bad person or dog away.

Ruining Your Furniture

Another scenario is when a dog owner finds a chewed up pillow and calls his dog over to yell “Bad dog!” Many think their dogs understand chewing the pillow was bad because of their dogs’ response, which is usually cowering with his tail between his legs or submissively lying on his back. Unfortunately, the dog doesn’t make the connection between his owner’s anger and the chewed pillow—the dog is just responding to the tone of voice.

Playing with Other Dogs

Another important instance to use an upbeat tone of voice is when your dog is becoming too emotional when playing with another dog. What begins as appropriate play between two dogs can escalate into a fight if the dogs are not periodically separated and thus become too aroused. Before your dog gets to this level, use that happy voice to call him over to you. At that point, reward him and have him in a down-stay for a few minutes before returning to play.

Of course, always have a backup plan for these situations, such as a deterrent spray if you’re unable to redirect the dogs and a fight breaks out. Remembering to stay calm and confident when working with your dog brings great results. Dogs are sensitive to the emotions of their owners so use that knowledge when communicating with your dog. If you’re in doubt of your techniques with your dog, don’t hesitate to contact your local certified dog trainer.

How has using an upbeat tone of voice helped you train your dog? Tell us in the comments below!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elaine says

    May 14, 2016

    I agree with this philosophy…tone, volume, consistency, situation, etc.
    However, I also know that our Pit Bull understands words, phrases and our conversations. We have to use code words quite often,
    Puppy-Joe thinks he is always part of the conversation. He likes to “help” us make decisions about where we are going, what we are eating, when we eat, sleep and walk….lol ❤

    Reply
  2. Jean Strein says

    August 16, 2018

    agree and will add this: If I do raise my voice to correct one dog (have 33 total fosters and my own); then ALL the dogs react! Guess it is true: what you do to one; you do to all….dogs amaze me more and more…

    Reply
  3. Sallie Scarlatta says

    August 24, 2018

    I have a large GS and wont be one year til oct. But she likes to test me. When i take her out to do her thing shes good. Dies it comes right back. But every now and then she will do it then turn and look at me as if to say alright you ready to chase me cause im running. And i know what to look for when this happens. So she takes off i get the leash and go after her. She lets me get close then turns and runs again. It sometimes takes 20 ti 30 minutes to catch her. Then when i get close she puts her head down as im yelling at her and lets me leash her. Then she comes in and goes straight to her bed. Because she gets no treat.. I always give her a treat when she goes and comez syraight back. But when she runs she knows she doesnt get any. How can i stop this behavior. Im 60 yrs and its tireing to chase her down.

    Reply

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