A short post today, but I hope a helpful one. It’s inspired by the “mud luscious and puddle wonderful” nature of spring, and the need to wipe off Will’s paws as we enter the house when it’s wet outside. As I was drying Willie’s paws a few days ago, I thought about how much easier it is now that I say “Ready?” right before I pick up each leg. Since I started communicating my intention (“now I am going to pick up this paw”), he is beginning, on occasion, to pick up a paw himself, but more often he will shift his weight so that it is less awkward for him. (Yep, I could train him to pick up each paw on cue… also a potential solution, but keep reading for some potential benefits of a more generalized cue.)
Keep in mind that this is the dog who, as an adolescent, growled at me when I picked up a paw to dry off the mud. That was 3 years ago, and I remember saying something like “Oh, don’t be silly” and continuing what I was doing. He growled one or two more times, but we worked through it and I haven’t heard him growl at anything in years. However, he doesn’t enjoy his paws being cleaned, as most dogs don’t, and the process got me thinking about how little control a dog has over having his/her body moved around, even gently, without any say in the matter. That’s especially difficult if there is any pain involved in putting more weight than usual on one limb. I’ve always been aware of Will’s bad shoulder, and have always been extra careful about picking up the other paw, but a few months ago I started saying “Ready?” right before I picked up a paw, giving him a chance to shift his weight himself.
It’s made a difference to both of us. I lean down and put my hand close to a paw and say “Ready?” and he either shifts his weight or picks it up. Paw cleaning is not only faster, it feels like Will and I are moving down the same path, instead of trying to go in opposite directions. This is a cue that has so many applications; Will’s structural troubles require acupuncture and chiropracty, and he’s not the kind of hail-fellow-well-met who takes being handled lightly. I would bet the farm (and, hey, I have one) that handling Will with force and punishment would have created a severe aggression problem within a few months. In both cases, we give Will lots of options, using patience and communication during the treatments. He adores both practitioners, but he literally hides behind me when the greetings are over and it’s time for treatments. But we work through it, sort of like a dance; sometimes asking, sometimes quietly insisting, but always with an awareness that Will desperately needs to have some say in what is happening to him.
I know many others use cues like “Ready” for a variety of reasons. I’ve heard similar cues most often in obedience, meaning “Okay, time to start working together”. But I’ll bet there are many examples from your own experience of using a cue to communicate your intentions to a dog. I’d love to hear them. I think we’d all learn something from hearing about all the ways that concept can be used. (By the way, signals like “Ready” are called “meta-communication,” meaning “communication about communication.” A play bow is an example in dogs, meaning “Everything that happens next is in play, don’t take these bites and growls seriously!”
Meanwhile, back on the farm: The new fence is working beautifully (more on Will and the fence soon), the bottle lambs have learned to use the self feeder, though they still mug me relentlessly for more, and Snickers has stopped looking for her 3rd lamb, the one I had to take to a friend because 1/2 of Snicker’s bag dried up. The tulips and blossoming trees are in full bloom. Here are Tulip’s tulips, the flowers I planted over my Great Pyrenees grave, her body deep in the soil, nestled onto a bed of of hundreds of tulips, warm and safe in the small hill in front of the house, where she’d stand strong and tall, and bark out her great, white presence to the world.
Menopausal Entrepreneur says
I love the idea of “Ready?” My first Golden retriever was a little nervous when riding in the car, especially when we came to a hairpin curve that might have thrown her off-balance. I would cue her with a very happy “Wheeee!” right before the curve and she knew to shift her weight in anticipation. Worked like a charm! My tone of voice and a little laughter made all of the difference as well.
Kerry L. says
Meta-communication . . . nice word. I learned to use ‘ready’ at obedience classes and have liked how my dogs respond to it and the idea that we’re getting ready to do something. Another phrase I’ve started using with Walter when we’re walking is ‘this way’. He’s usually on a Flexi-leash and he knows “this way” means I’m going to change direction. He looks to me for the cue to which way we’re turning and never gets a jerk on the leash.
Alexandra says
What a beautiful tribute to Tulip. I have really enjoyed reading about her (and all your dogs) in your books.
Wow, your comments today about meta communication really got me thinking. I talk to my dogs all the time about what is going on and use a variety of words depending on the situation. Over time the dogs really do learn a lot of English by association. Talking all the time while handling the dogs is a habit I acquired while growing up handling horses. I found that many horses I groomed and tacked were far more relaxed if I spoke to them about what I was doing. I also kept a hand or shoulder in contact with them so they would know where I was, particularly when walking behind, and not be startled by the sudden touch of a brush. Even if the horse didn’t spook per say, I never liked to see them twitch their skin when touched, because I figured it was a sign they were unhappy as they twitch like that to remove flies. At any rate, I just automatically handled my dogs a similar way. How cool to find out that I really am doing something helpful! That certainly backs up my own observations.
I really think you have to be cognizant of how your dog handles various situations, too. During vet exams, Izzy responds best to very SLOW (I am so grateful to our patient vet), calm, quiet insistence with gentle praise. Copper on the other hand does better with making a game of things, upbeat encouragement and luring/coaxing. For example, lying on his side is a behavior I trained as a trick for Copper because he really gets scared if you try to manually manipulate him into that posture or physically restrain him there in a vet’s office.
Val says
I use cues like this a lot. I have a dog that is blind and it really helps her to have some idea of what you are going to do before you do it. She gets several eye drops every day and we give them in the same location in the house every time. When I get the eye drops out, I say “Time for drops” and she comes from wherever she is. Then I say “Ready?” and she usually sits and waits for the drop. Of course, she gets a small cookie after every drop. If I want to do something to her paws, I tap her leg first before I pick it up. When I brush her teeth, I tell her “teeth” and let her smell the toothpaste. The only thing I don’t warn her about is brushing because if I do that, she runs away.
Donna in VA says
First of all, I am enjoying this blog immensely. I just found it a week ago and have not yet read through all the previous months but will get to it soon.
My Sheltie Max responds to “this side” when I switch the leash over to the right hand. This is when I want him to walk on my right side, usually when we’re approaching a new dog. We had problems in the first year I had him (age 4) which I think were mostly due to insecurity.
He also responds to “Let’s work” by assumiing his “place” sitting at my left foot. I didn’t intend for that to be a command, just started saying it before we began obedience exercises, and he figured it out.
I could use some ideas for getting him “ready” to be lifted down off the grooming table (actually the clothes washer). It’s too high for him to jump and he struggles as if he thinks I will drop him (never have). He enjoys the grooming otherwise and does not struggle when I lift him up, this only applies to getting him down. I think I have been saying “ready?” before I lift him down so maybe have already given that a bad connotation. He paces back and forth on top of the table as if he cannot decide how he wants to be cradled before I put my arms around him. Oh well, now that I think about it maybe I can come up with a new solution.
Pamela Picard says
Interesting post. Yes, I have found it’s easier to do some delicate things with my dogs when I signal my intention and ask. When bathing, he will clamp his tail down so hard that I can’t see to clean, well, um, you know. I’ve learned to ask. “may I see your butt?” TMI sorry. LOL
Beautiful memorial to your beautiful Tulip. Many years ago, when I buried my first kitty, a poppy volunteered on her grave the following spring. I was so grateful.
CindyCindy says
I have been reading your posts for some time now. I have an English Mastiff/Anatolian Shepherd/Wolfhound or Deerhound mix. Being so big means we talk alot. In the car we have a cue for him to sit down and be secure against the seat and it’s “Hold On”. He does it without question now and it makes me so much more comfortable knowing he is safer. We also have paw cleaning cues like touching a paw and telling him that I want to clean that one. He shifts his weight and we get through it as quickly as possible. I do love the “ready”. It ‘s short and sweet. His cue to eat is “Okeydokey”. Thank you for your intelligent, gentle and kind advice.
Ravana says
Can’t think of any general cue I give before the actual cue, but for wiping feet, which my guy would resist by tightening his leg muscles making it impossible to lift his foot off the floor, I say, “One foot, two foot, red foot, blue foot” (Sorry Dr. Seuss). I start with whatever foot is closest and move clockwise around the dog and he either shifts his weight or lifts the next foot when needed.
For general obedience commands I always add “please” (i.e. Sit please) and my “click” is “Thank you.” People sometimes look at me oddly when we are on the street and I say “please” and “thank you” to my dog, but it never hurts to be polite, and he also understands that if there is no “please” there is an urgency to the command. For instance, when we are walking and he is on his zip line and I say, “Sidewalk please.” that means “make your way to the sidewalk because I don’t want you walking on that patch of grass ahead” whereas “Sidewalk” means “run back up to the sidewalk NOW because there is an erratic driver, off-leash dog, or some other danger I have spotted while you were sniffing that telephone pole.”
Lily says
My Aussie/Golden Retriever mix doesn’t really mind having her paws handled, but we’ve taught her cues just to make the process of being wiped down easier. She knows that “shake” means “lift your right paw” and “other paw” means “lift your left paw.” Then we ask her to “spin” so that we can get her stomach and back paws. She’ll sometimes jump the gun and turn around without us having to ask her since she’s so used to being wiped down. Even though we’ve gone through the process hundreds of times, it still makes me smile when she patiently waits for and cooperates with us to wipe her down before we let her inside.
Leonard Cecil says
RE: Ready!
I got used to saying before most movement command “uuuund” (German: und) which got the dog focused on me and she knew, something was coming up, be it a “sit” out of the motion, or a turn or a stop. One trainer tried to convince me it was unnecessary. My dog should simply respond to the command when given. Maybe she was right, but I had the feeling ma dog was more receptive to what came next upon the command “und”. I think what it conditioned my dog to do, was to watch MY body language, since we all convey our bodily intentions in advance. Good basketball players read their opponents this way. Anyway, I’d never really found acceptance for my theory but this blog seems to go in that direction, if I’m understanding it correctly.
Taryn says
I use “Ready” to build drive for agility. I ask “Are you ready?” I roll my R and drag out the DY (dee) sound at the end while restraining my dog in front of an obstacle. A few repetitions of that has my lower drive corgi revved up and engaged. My high drive corgi needs no such encouragement!
For cleaning the paws, I count to four. One, clean a front paw, Two, clean another front paw, and so on. They have it pretty well figured out and shift their weight as the numbers move on.
On car rides when I know we are going to go over a speed bump, or rough patch, I say “Bumpy! a couple of times as a warning to get their balance. For car rides to agility class, I say “Let’s go to school”, and that gets them headed to the car in a hurry.
I think by talking to your dogs about day to day activities and using the same terms/words over and over, they just naturally pick up the cues. It works particularly well when it pertains to something they want/like to do. Just as saying “You wanna take a bath?” sends most dogs heading for the hills!
carla says
I also love the beautiful tulips for your beautiful Tulip. Brings a tear to my eye.
I use the “okay” alot when I am done doing something with either the dogs or horses. We use “wait” before they can jump out of the car. I also use a whistle when they are loose. Two toots is look at me, change directions (with a hand signal), and three or more is come back (with treat). Maybe those are off topic.
Great topic.
Shalea says
I don’t have any general meta-communications that I use, but I have some specific examples which might be relevant.
Like Val, I have a blind dog and use a lot of these sorts of cues. I tell him “foot” before I pick up a foot (generally combined with a touch on the ankle above the appropriate foot).
And like Taryn, I talk to him a lot about what is going to happen. “Are you ready to brush your teeth?” generally prompts him to lie down in the appropriate spot without me specifically asking for a “down” because he knows that tooth-brushing is followed closely by cookies and he’s willing to put up with the unpleasantness for the cookies.
I’ve also specifically taught him several cues that are intended more to provide advance notice rather than ask for a specific behavior – “step up” and “step down” being prime examples as I will use them when we are walking if it looks like he’s not aware he’s about to trip over the curb or step down off of it. “Careful” means that he’s about to encounter some sort of rough terrain (something near his face or a dramatic change in footing), but I worry that maybe I’m not being specific enough with that one to provide him real information.
I also use directional cues (move over, turn around, turn left/right) to let him know I’m about to change the direction we’re walking.
Julie says
I’m always moved when you write of Tulip. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.
Our adult Italian Greyhound never learned to lift a leg and “go like a boy,” having, apparently, only ever lived with his littermate sister. So every trip outside requires a wipe-down of his front legs and deep chest with a babywipe. When he was first with us, he’d hurry to the next room when he came inside – trying to avoid the whole process. When he injured his shoulder, it became even more difficult. But now we have a routine. He comes in the house and stands right by the door with his back to me. I gently lift the front of his body, and wipe him off. Then he looks at me, and trots into the other room.
I never used any word in particular for this (as far as I know), but it felt like suddenly he decided to cooperate with me.
Anne J says
I use “are you ready” when I’m about to throw the ball, or starting some intensive obedience practice, which is common in obedience schools to get the dog excited about working.
The other one I use to tell Cinder something that is not really a command is when we go out to the pasture and can’t see the sheep I’ll say “go look” and the Cinder will run out until she can see them, then stop, point and look at me like “ok, there they are, now what?”. Not exactly sheepdog trial approved method, but it’s our method. Then I tell her which way to go now that I know where the sheep are. I didn’t really train her to do that but she developed that method with me.
It also works for chickens or ducks that are hiding in the woods or under barns- she will point them out for me.
Mary Beth says
“Pre-cues” in agility has made all the difference between (now) my dog and I working as a team enjoying our trials versus (before) my dog and I struggling through courses with him getting frustrated and overstimulated.
Pre-cueing a direction change or turn or stop helps my dog a lot. He’s ten years old now and the stress and strain of all those jumps and slamming stops on contacts can be really hard on him. If I can pre cue I can prevent him from sailing way far out extending over a jump when he really needs to collect himself to get ready for a sharp turn.
I’m still not very good at it, but we are both doing much better as a team than ever before.
Sometimes its the simplest of things that can make our lives so much better, isn’t it?!
Aaryn says
I hadn’t thought of cues as being meta communication before, but now that I consider it, I think I do use this kind of cue with my border collie.
We live in an apartment, and play “find it” with treats and toys pretty often, and I just realized that when we begin to play, I ask her, “Wanna play Find It? OK, get ready…” and she runs to her place in the bathroom (where I shut the door while I hide the item). We never specifically trained this, but it’s the only time I use this phrase with her.
Another one i use is while walking on lead, or out hiking off lead. When I’m going to change direction and she is busy sniffing, or paying attention to something else, I say “this way” and she knows something is going to change, and pays attention for a minute until we get going again. Again, never specifically trained, but it just developed and works very well. Much better than my specifically trained “lets go,” with direction change or as a command to hurry up and get on with the walk 🙂
Eileen says
I have 28 pound mixed breed dog. Before she had reliable loose lead walking, I would often carry her out my front door and to the car. I also lift her out of the car rather than letting her jump down. She used to find being picked up fairly aversive, but over a period of months she started to offer a kind of controlled jump into my arms when I put them in position to pick her up. I put it on verbal cue (“elevator!”) and now when I cue it, she voluntarily curls her front legs around my front arm and jumps up for me to catch her rear legs with my other. I don’t have to hold her near as tightly as I did at first; she hangs on. I have never offered any external reinforcement for this. She would get to go to the car however I carried her. It sure seems to me that what is reinforcing the behavior is that she has more choice over her position and how she is being handled.
Kat says
I love these posts. I never really thought about it before but I use a lot of meta-communication with Ranger. I’m raising two children and the way I’d communicate with them when they were babies just naturally spilled over to communications with the dog. When I’d dress a baby or young toddler I’d say “now” followed by “left arm” “left leg” etc. When I’m putting Ranger in his carting harness I’ll tell him “now the gee paw” or “now haw paw” For both babies and dogs the purpose of telling them what I was about to do was to give them a chance to cooperate and to reinforce the sense of right and left or in Ranger’s case gee and haw. I use “ready” when I’m about to lift him (actually half of him since I can’t lift his whole 90lbs at once) for any reason. I don’t chatter at him but just like I did with the kids when they were small I tell him what I’m doing and usually why. “Okay, now hold still; I need to cut this tree sap out of your coat. If I don’t cut it out this mat will just get worse and worse and it will hurt when it pulls on your skin.” And of course, by the time I’ve finished all that direction and explanation the sap has been cut free.
Cynthia says
When I have my dog Gustav on a long line so he can run around but not run wild, I say “whoa!” shortly before he’s about to hit the end of the line. After hitting it pretty hard a few times he started to pick it up.
Other not-specifically-trained, but picked up through continued association words include: wanna go outside? crate, and one I’m working on right now, kitchen. Every time I say kitchen I throw a handful of treats in the kitchen. Then shortly afterward I ask for a sit-stay in the doorway of the kitchen and practice going in and out of the door. Eventually when real life visitors come over I want them in the kitchen, and quickly. I thought an unpolluted cue that just means treats, and not the sit-stay yet, would work faster.
As someone with a Willy-type dog who didn’t have such an enlightened owner at that age and now has developed serious aggression issues, I’m wondering how you handle the vet by going slow, etc.? My dog is tolerant of the vet but just barely, and he’s profoundly anxious while getting examined. He shakes and his heart rate goes through the roof, and he stops taking treats. I know I could muzzle him (vet didn’t think it was necessary) or sedate him, but I’m curious what other people do who have a dog who can deal but just barely. Is it worth taking the time to slowly condition him to the vet? Or should I just grit my teeth and bear it once a year or so? If I do the latter, are there little things I could do to make it a little easier?
Leslie says
One of my terriers gets a glucosamine pill every morning, and after a few times of administering his pill and treating him for cooperative behavior in this, when he sees me pick up the bottle he calmly sits and offers me his face so we can get it over with.
Both our dogs know the drill with getting their sweatshirts on, and will point their faces up to have them put over their heads, and then shift and lift each front paw to help speed the process with no cues but picking up the sweatshirt and looking expectant. They live for their walks so this is reinforcing in itself.
When we leash walk, they sometimes get tangled around trees, my legs or other obstacles. A simple “go around” is enough info for them to figure out that they are tangled and quickly go back around the other way to untangle so we can continue our walk.
kate says
I can so relate to your point about how easily things could have turned into aggression. It’s crazy how changing your body language, tone of voice to something that expresses no harm or use of force will come from me… can reframe the situation in a split second diffuse anxiety.
I’ll say;
“cya”.. while turning away from them and walking away just a “head’s up” to let my guys know to finish up sniffing, digging or racing around and keep a tab on which way I’m headed in another direction. Sort of a recall but it’s relaxed…so it’s not like I’m interrupting their fun yet it’s to their advantage to keep an eye on me 🙂
“oh no, what’s a matter”….said in a sympathetic and concerned tone, and I’ll look where I’d like to examine from a distance and they’ll come to me and they are more relaxed than if I were to say the “cue” for specific body part where I’d like to examine. I am very delicate in my touch as well.
“noisy”…roll my eyes, shake my head and big sigh when there’s a loud startling noise or other dog barking at us…to take the edge off of whatever may cause them to potentially react too. Mind you these days I’ve been saying that TO ….my little beagle George …. so my other dogs don’t react to his noise 😛
I have main cues that I’ve generalized which is super helpful and fun when out and about and teaching new tricks.
Latest was the cue “bonk”….to let them know a person’s going to be swooping their hand down and patting them on the head, then other parts….cramming for an Obedience test , but really it’s been helpful to just let them know to hang in there, I’ll make it worth your patience….
http://www.youtube.com/user/DaizyNGeorge#p/u/1/4dIz4vQLFoM
re: tulips I do think it’s such a wonderful way to be reminded of their spirits by planting something in their honour to match their personality 🙂
Thank you for sharing.
Amy from Maine says
Hi Tricia,
As always, great post. My vet, who is allopathic and homeopathic at the same time, if that’s possible, always speaks to my animals when she is about to do a procedure. Even if it’s just to look in their eyes and ears. “Hi Colby – I am going to be looking in your eyes now” and only THEN will she take her opticsope and look closely. Same with when she does acupuncture or take blood or feel for lumps or internal things. She always tells them what she is doing, before she does it. I do think it helps settle them.
Your tulips are remarkable and awesome and I love your farm extras!
Carolyn in Belize says
Meta communication … I never had a word for it before! I name all of Maggie’s body parts as we go through grooming … “teeth” (to brush), “tummy”, “tail,” “legs,” “foot,” etc. etc. I like to think that in the vet’s office, for example, I could say “ears” and she would understand that her ears will be examined like we do at home. When Maggie stood for her Canine Good Citizen exam, I said “brush you” so she knew the examiner was going to run a brush over her. I also use outstretched arms, flip to palms up to let her know that I am going to pick her up — she sits down and readies herself. For small dogs, I think it must be frustrating to be grabbed and picked up without warning.
Karen says
I love the “Ready” cue. Not my idea, but years ago I read another trainer’s remarks about how threatening it must be for small dogs when their owners pick them up without letting them know before hand. Just the image of a hand coming down and swooping you up without warning. Yikes. So I started to use “Ready” just before I lifted the small ones and over time you can feel and see them brace themselves before being picked up. Like us, much more comfortable being in control of their environment.
Gary says
Two things I do:
For wiping off paws, I just say “paw!” but that isn’t generalized, I use it only when I wipe off my dog’s paws. After 3 years of this, she sure knows what’s coming.
The only general/meta command I use is “wait!” I realize it doesn’t matter what word you use for this,
in Italian it would be “aspetta!” but Carmella knows that she should just stop temporarily what she is doing and pay attention for a second: I’ll attach her lead, I need to pick a tick off of her, I’m going to trim a mat from her under her ear. What it really means is stop doing whatever it is you are doing, pay attention, but this won’t last long. At least, that’s what it means from my point of view. She seems to get it.
MMandAB says
With my dog Abby I have the “with me” cue that I use when we will be changing directions or if I need her more by my side rather than sniffing at the end of her 6 ft leash. It is the “hey, can you give me your attention for a second” request. Depending on the situation, I may follow that up with a “Wait” if there are people/bikes/cars headed our way. Or sometimes I follow that up with a minute or two of close heeling (like weaving around trees or building pillars). Eventually, she gets to go back to sniffing like the hound she is.
When I am putting the leash on Abby she knows to sit by my side and wait for my to hook the leash on her collar. However, if our outing will include a car ride, I need to put the car harness on her. Abby will start out sitting by my side, but when she sees me get the harness, she stands up. It is like a “Doh” moment for me, because Abby remembers (I do not) that is is easier to get the harness on when she is standing rather than sitting.
Shaya says
I really dislike it when people who are picking a horse’s hoof just drop it and don’t give the horse any warning. I always make a point to slowly release my hold on the hoof to give the horse time to take it back easily.
I also have a dog who does not like having his feet handled. It’s to the point where he won’t let anyone clip his nails. Luckily he grinds them down on walks so I haven’t spent the 6 months it would probably take desensitizing him to be okay with nail clipping.
Using an adaptation of the horse model, I did teach him to pick up his feet at the cue that I’d lean over him and put my hand on his leg gently. He will do it but is still not a fan. For wiping off I also started incorporating a little tug and wrestling with it to make it more fun. I use ratty towels so it’s not problem if we play tug with them.
Like several others have mentioned I also use a cue for changing direction. I cluck and Tom knows to pay attention that we’re going to go in a different direction. I also use “let’s go” to say that I’m moving on and he should stop sniffing. He definitely knows it and will sometimes respond by marking the tree or bush and moving off with me.
Mary says
Oh, Tulip’s tulips are stunning!! A beautiful place for her to sleep. Her spirit must be showing thru those colorful blooms. It made me think of a special quote that a friend sent to me.
…”It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.”
—unknown
It really made me stop and think again about how mystical and magical our relationship with dogs can be. Because they do this to and for us. Simply amazing.
Happy Spring!
cathy says
I’m also one of those who use “this way” to get my dogs’ attention when changing direction on those casual “scratch and sniff” walks. My husband doesn’t bother communicating verbally and forges on ahead. I thing the verbal way works better for both human and dog.
I was most interested in the idea about how little say a dog has in having its body manipulated. I have one who Hates toenail clipping. We had to have four people to hold him at the vet’s office a couple of years ago and that was after he was moderately cooperative with us picking at a sore in his paw. I’ve been working on him and found that he is much quieter if he isn’t restrained except for minimally. I still have to get him in a small space like next to a wall, but not holding him at all works best.
Veronique Vanderbeke says
I guess lots of people use metacommunication without realizing it. I do use “Rrrready, steady” for agility to get my corgis excited. And who doesn’t use something like “Time for foodies!” around feeding time or “Time for walkies” before grabbing the leashes. I also rub the paw I want to wash during a bath to give my dogs the time to lift it up themselves. And today I actually discoverd a new one. When I say “Tweetoo, tweetoo” my corgi girl will run to the only squeeky toy that we have. Time to play with her favorite toy!
Nicola says
Cynthia:
I don’t have an aggression issue, but I do have a dog who is very afraid of the vets after 2 major surgeries. One suggestion I was given was to go to the vets 20 times without treatment for each treatment. Start by feeding in the waiting room for calm behaviour, then see if you can arrange a suitable time to have a vet nurse or tech in the consult room with you and with lots of treats for calm behaviour, then finally have them duplicate some handling, once again with lots of treats. My vets were very helpful – it is to their benefit to have a calm dog as well. The other thing you can try is doing similar handling at home with lots of treats and taking it slow until he is happy to be handled at home – this should help reduce anxiety at the vets. Finally, you could try finding a vet who comes to you – sometimes more expensive, but it means they don’t get all the warnings of bad stuff which comes with going into a vet surgery (not to mention the smells)
I know it is only once a year – with luck, but I think it is well worth it to make your dog more comfortable. When I tried, we were going to the vet once a month – I ended up at the vets every day doing desensitization! Good Luck
Andrea says
I’ve been using “touch” as a meta-communication to my mostly blind dog, since I found out about her vision problems a year ago and learned that the odds are good the retina in her sorta-working eye will detach at some point and leave her completely blind. It just warns her that a person is about to touch her, so she’s not as startled by it. I’m pondering whether I should teach her names for body parts so I can tell her where the touch will come, but for now it’s just “Touch!”
I also inadvertently taught her “She’s mostly blind” as a cue that someone is approaching and interested in her in the first place, just because I say it to anyone who approaches us intent on interacting.
Heidi Meinzer says
Thanks for your post — right on point as always! I’ve been using “Ready” with my Shepherd mix, Sophie, when I have her stop and sit at corners with traffic and I’m about to cross the street with her. I say “Ready” when the coast is clear and have her make eye contact with me before we move. She also has mild issues with her paws. Wiping off mud is OK, but clipping nails takes some caution. I’ve been saying the word “Paw” before I take her paw in my hand to indicate that I’m about to start the grooming. I think I’ll suggest “Ready” to my vet — she is a wonderful, Shepherd-savvy person!
What a great tribute to Tulip — I should do the same in the area of the yard where my Albanian rescue, Xhufi, loved to scope out the neighborhood!
Ann W in PA says
Hmm, we use a lot of the useful communication already listed – “this way” when hiking to clue him in to pay attention for a change in directino, “hold on” before a bump or quick stop in the car, communication before wiping paws or putting his backpack on over his head. The one other thing I can think of is when I say “Try Something” before we start a shaping game. I guess basically it means – the next ‘conversation’ we’re going to have is the kind where you guess stuff and I tell you if it’s close to what I want. It seems to help make sure he isn’t always ‘guessing’ when we’re in situations where I want him to wait for my cues (like Rally) – so it must actually be getting the message through somehow about what the next session of communications is going to hold, sort of like the play bow.
Don says
This is a very interesting issue to me. Another fascinating post, Trisha!
I figure that giving dogs a frequent “heads-up” can help make their world predictable, if not controllable, and probably helps build trust with them. I use heads-up signals alot just to keep my dogs accustomed to the idea that words have meanings. They like to follow me around the house, so I often say where I’m going next (e.g., upstairs, downstairs, bed, etc.). Also, on walks, I find that they look to me frequently for a treat at random times (I think it’s a side effect of some other training that have done with them), so now I will give them a “relax” signal, which means that I will not be giving a command rignt away, a treat is not forthcoming, and they have permission to just walk and sniff around or do whatever their dog brain tells them to do while on our walk. They’ve learned to respond accordingly, and I think that letting them know when it’s okay to relax makes them more willing to pay close attention when I do want their attention to a task.
Cynthia says
Nicola: I do have a visiting vet. On the one hand it cuts out the terror of the vet’s office, but on the other hand it makes it harder to desensitize: how often can I have my wonderful and very busy vet stop by my house for a non-check-up, desensitization procedure? Any short term tips for when she does come over?
Alexandra says
Is anyone else noticing that we seem to be identifying different categories of meta communication? Seems like we have the conditioned emotional response (verbal equivalent of a play bow, as in “rrrrready??” to rev up for agility/flyball, or the way your dogs get all excited when you say “walkies”) versus the heads up/warning (saying “this way” to avoid a surprise jerk on the leash, or talking when you handle paws/ears, etc).
Alexandra says
Oh, I forgot to add in response to Don that I too tell my dogs what room I am going to next. Copper in particular likes to follow me around, so I like to tell him upstairs or downstairs if I am switching for any length of time. I say “I’ll be right back” if I am just going to get a drink from the kitchen or something so Copper knows he can wait for me at the top of the stairs instead of following me all the way down. He tends toward a bit of separation anxiety specific to me, and I think he feels better when I tell him where I’m going and then he doesn’t worry that I’ll sneak off to work when he’s not looking.
Nan says
love this topic and I’ll be taking this approach with the feet. I’m struck constantly by how much room there always is for improvement even for those of us fairly focused on our dogs and the quality of our communication and interaction. i had noticed with my lab as she’s gone through multiple eye surgeries essentially the same thing–she does best if she has some foreknowledge and control. Because of her multiple eye issues it is very hard for the opthomologists to do a pressure reading or get a good look in the eye. They have tended, with the best of intentions, to try to trick her into stepping forward and into opening her eyes. Fairly early on I found that while interimitent reward instead of probing was fine Sally still did best with honesty. So if they are going to do something I ask her to go forward and plant–that is her cue that she is sitting for eye work. I’ll also tell her good patient which tells her it is still going on. Like one of the other posters I find myself using please and thank you with my dogs not as a trained cue but as to my mind clarifying communication in our relationship–for one thing it puts me into a respectful quiet place and I think it does the same for the dog. On a slightly different note at risk of being a little woo woo with all of Sally’s eye issues I find myself sometimes calling her “bright eyes”. Her eyes have become such a source of worry for me and discomfort for her and by calling her bright eyes and picturing things improving I think I’m at least creating a healthy sense of reassurance for both of us. (i must have been reading here a while–I was looking forward to Tulip’s tulips ;-))
Kat says
Some fascinating discussion going on. I realized on our walk last night that I have a communication signal that probably translates most closely as “read my mind” and Ranger takes it as meant and does just that. It’s a wordless sound like a click or cluck and I use it when I need him to take some tension off the leash, check in for a moment, walk faster or slower, and a host of other things. When he hears the sound Ranger knows to look at me and figure out what I want differently. Thinking about it, it began as an attention getter and evolved, neither of us are really conscious of it anymore but we rely on it a lot.
Our vet is another one that recognizes that having a cooperative patient is in her best interest so every few months we call ahead and if they aren’t too busy take Ranger for a visit. He gets petting and treats and the staff makes a fuss over him. Sometimes they take him in the back sometimes they come to him in the waiting room. I’ve also taught him specific commands (stand, flat, etc.) to make it easier for the vet to examine him. As a result Ranger cooperates with vet visits and the vet and staff rave about what a wonderful well mannered patient he is. Of course, it helps a lot that he is a calm confident dog but I like to believe that putting myself in his place and figuring out what would help me so I can give that sort of support to him contributes to his calm confidence.
Laurie says
To Cynthia . Once again I just have to put in a plug for Sophia Yin’s book “Low Stress Handling , Restraint and Behavior Modification”. Subtitle “Techniques for Developing Patients who Love Their Visits”. She uses counterconditioning extensively.
My dog’s acupuncturist always asks verbally and silently if each location she plans to needle is OK with my dog. He lets her know with a low growl if it is not OK. He has developed trust in her because he has some control of the situation and there will be no surprises. Wouldn’t we all want to be treated this way?
Thanks for the great post.
Lyssa says
It’s interesting how many of us having been using a “pre-cue” without noticing it. “Wanna work?” is how I let him know that formal public work is getting ready to start. He’s a dog who will work himself into the ground, so it also helps me also gauge his energy level so I can make adjustments if necessary. I use “wanna train?” before clicker sessions or task tune ups.
“All done” is used a lot, and he seems to understand that it means whatever we’re doing is finished. He stops waiting for the “click” when he’s “all done” training, leaves the tennis ball when he’s “all done” fetching, and that when he’s “all done” working, it’s time to play.
Off-lead, I use “this way” with a waving arm signal for directional change, and “eeeeaasy” for dogs to slow down to a walk in rough terrain. Once we’re through it, I give them a release so they can take off running again.
D in NH says
Fascinating! Like Mary Beth, I was using the term “pre-cue” for my attempts to meta-communicate. I use them a lot. Some examples: My herding dog used to slice his flanks, and we’ve worked VERY HARD to get him more round when going around the sheep. Now if he has been walking up and is in a stop, facing the sheep straight on, I can give a pre-cue before the flank command, which tells him which direction I’ll give. I say “Out” before “come by” and “get” before “Away to me,” and it is effective – he stays put, but turns his head in the direction he now knows is coming.
Here in New England, we have serious problems with mud-paws. I never start by picking up a paw, I ask for the first “paw” to be offered, then, even though I know the dog won’t lift their back paws for me, I say “back paw” before lifting those paws to clean. My older dog will even turn around when I sing “other side!” and then lets me wipe her other paws in succession.
And to Alexandra’s note – yes, I definately use a different tone to rev up my dogs for obedience or agility than I do for other activities such as wiping paws, checking claw length, etc.
Don says
Alexandra, this is too funny. I also say “I’ll be back” at those times when I’m leaving the room for only a minute, so they know that they can stay where they are and I will return shortly. When I’m going to be gone for a longer time, I say “See ya later.” I am convinced that they appreciate the information and that they make good use of it for themselves.
My wife and I have gotten very theoretical with the idea of “heads-up” cues. We were debating about the use of cues with our dogs in agility. She likes the simplicity of using a single cue (“chute”)for both the tunnel and the chute, as our instructor does with her dogs. But I prefer to use distinct verbal cues, because even though the dog’s action of entering the obstacle is the same for both the tunnel and the chute (and so you certainly can use a single cue word to elicit the action), the dog’s subjective experience certainly would be diffent once they are inside the tunnel versus the chute, and so I’m betting that the dog will appreciate the “heads-up” infomation that distinct cues provide, which may have a more positive effect on their motivation and enjoyment of the activity.
Eva says
How do you know it is metacommunication? Maybe to the dog, the word ‘ready’ just means ‘Give me your paw.’ Maybe a play bow just means ‘Let’s play!’ A dog does not need to play bow for the other dog to understand it is not a fight. There are many other indicators like tension, scent, etc. When my dog barks excessively, I tell her ‘Quiet!’ A trainer felt it was more appropriate to say “Thank you!” to the dog for doing it’s job and to let the dog know its duty of guarding was over. After the thank you, the dog was then expected to no longer bark. THis all made me laugh. Of course, the dog does not know the diff between ‘quiet’ and ‘thank you.’ To the dog, it’s just a sound that indicates to stop making noise. Whatever stories me or a trainer might conjure up to explain the internal thought processes behind these two words and how such thought processes might vary according to which group of sounds I choose to employ, those stories and conjurings are just theories and guesses of humans after all. We do not really know what happens in the noggin of a dog. In fact, often, dogs are seen to do things that defy even the weakest or strongest of apparent logic!
-Eva
Stacy Braslau-Schneck says
I give my dog Flip a warning that I’m about to move the office chair. He tends to lie or sleep right near it, and sometimes the wheels have rolled over his fur. The little kissy noise I make is a warning that the chair’s about to move.
I don’t consider it meta communication though, since it doesn’t indicate that much more communication will follow. It’s more of a cue for a behavior trained, unfortunately, through P+ (unintentionally!).
I’m not sure if I agree with Eva that your “Ready” is just a cue for “lift your paw”, only because I’m not sure what his reinforcement is – except perhaps to avoid you grabbing it (gently enough, to be sure) and pushing him off-balance. So perhaps, it, too, is a cue trained through [mild] P+…
Cassie says
My husband stayed at our old house, hours away, when I went to vet school. I was alone with the dogsthose four years and talked to them non-stop. They are used to being fed a lot of verbal information from me because of that. I am pretty sure they’d get most of those signals just on my body language at this point, but I do think the verbal helps.
If we’re all on the couch and I get up to grab a glass of water they know that it’s not worth following me for an “I’ll be right back” but it is for a “you guys wanna eat?” You can seem them tense up when I stand, and respond accordingly to my cues. There are many more, but of course I can’t think of them right now. I think they are different from real cues just because I am imparting information about my next actions, not theirs, and they can decide what they want to do with that information on their own. It sure does make them look smart to any visitors we have. I often hear “It’s like your dog understands english!” Makes me smile every time.
Also, thanks for a little e.e. cummings reference. His poetry always makes me feel like spring time.
Alexandra says
Don, that’s great! I am glad I am not the only one.
And speaking of agility cues, that has really opened my eyes about how much information we can communicate to our dogs, both verbally and physically. Copper is just in the Starters classes right now, but already he knows distinct words for each of the obstacles (and I agree with you that chute is a different thing than tunnel, because the dog has to know to put his head down when he runs through it) as well as various directional and speed cues. I have to be careful that my physical cues match my verbal cues, because he’ll follow physical over verbal generally. Another poster was talking about the importance of giving cues early enough in agility for them to be meaningful and I agree with that as well. I use “easy” as a cue for Copper to slow down because a turn is coming up (he knows left and right as cues, also) and I use “go” as a cue to run ahead of me in a straight line and do whatever obstacles he finds with no turns. I also use “out” as a cue that our paths will diverge and that he will be taking an obstacle off his direct line of travel. So much fun. 🙂
Shaya says
Someone may have already pointed this out but one of the things I learned from Carolyn Barney, a trainer in MA, is that the dog will feel much more in control if you give them the opportunity to move away from something unpleasant. Positive reinforcement for staying for teeth brushing or nail clipping. If they move away no treat, but they’re still in control and less likely to get upset about being trapped and having something unpleasant happen. So often people don’t give the animal a break or let them leave if it gets to be too much.
Susan says
I have loved the idea of Tulip’s tulips ever since I first read about it in one of your books, or on the website, or somewhere. When my dear old Emma (12 year old GSD) died last September, we couldn’t bury her in our yard, but I planted a tribute patch of dark purple tulips for her (Em was almost all black). They are in bloom now, and I’m enjoying playing with my new puppy out in the yard by Em’s tulips.
Liz F. says
This discussion really helps me get perspective with my dogs. Miss Nala is super sensitive about nail trimming. My other dog is now scared of vet visits after 7 years with no problems (we had six months of bi-weekly vet visits for broken-legged Helix and he loved his vet. The vet recently pulled his 4th premolar and is now considered ‘evil’ and scary.) I am reminded to have patience and that I am not alone. Some things are just uncomfortable for some dogs, but how we act can help ease their stress.
Question on meta communication— does saying a name before a cue qualify? Is this part of why it seems confusing to some dogs when owners JUST say a name and nothing else?
Christine says
I’m using the words “Pf
Mary says
Regarding cues in agility: If you stand perfectly still (including not using your arms), and both the tunnel and chute are in in front of you, and you say “tunnel” , I’ll bet your dog won’t know which obstacle to take. If you run towards the tunnel, and say “chute”, I’ll bet your dog will take the tunnel. Try running a course NOT SAYING ANYTHING and chances are the dog will do fine. They really are going by your body motion.
Angel says
Hi all. Completely off topic, but I thought I’d share this here, in case anyone is interested to read it. This is my blog, with a story of Bear running away towards a busy street and how I got him back:
http://theroadlesstraveled-angel.blogspot.com/2010/05/run-other-way.html
alexia says
Great comments! I have been saying “give me your foot” when I clean my dogs’ feet or trim nails, and “let’s go this way” for changing directions on leash. I also say “hang on!” while driving, for sudden braking and turns. Any thoughts on whether a shorter phrase (than, say, “give me your foot”) is better?
Alexandra says
re: Mary – yes, that is true, the motion is far, far, far more significant to a dog, although over time you still want to use the words so that they become known over time. There will be times when your body language won’t match up with where you want the dog to go (“out” comes to mind, or you want them to “go” down a line while you take a shortcut which is also a time when you don’t want them to turn and head check to see what you are doing) or you want a fast response when the dog can’t see you (turn coming out of a tunnel, for example and you want them to know where to go instead of looking to where they expect to see you first).
Jennifer Hamilton says
In a boarding environment, we verbally say the word “touch” before we touch a dog who is clearly stressed with the possibility of being touched by one of us, a stranger. Fir example, if a small dog is huddled in the corner of it’s room and freezes as we get closer, but we have to pick it up to move it or help it out of it’s shell, we say “touch” in a calm, soft tone before putting our hands on the dog. I don’t know why it works, but it most definetely does. Our resident trainer uses this technique with fear aggressive dogs and she got all of us using it too with scared dogs whose behavior is unfamiliar. We also use the same technique when we have to check out a body part that may be injured. So if a dog is limping on the back leg, we say “touch” before we touch the back leg or paw to assess the situation. For some reason, a single syllable word said in a calm voice, prepares their body somehow. In fearful dogs, this approach does seem
to work better than just saying the dog’s name or talking in happy baby talk.
Sherron says
My dogs dislike putting their harnesses on, even though they know that when they do, they get to go outside on a walk or go to the park. I tried using “ready?” today and gave treats before and after I put the harnesses on them. I’m not sure they understood what was going on, but I think they’ll get it and be appreciative of the additional communication.
JJ says
I like the idea of preparing a dog for what is about to happen. I am constantly pleading with my dentists to tell me what they are going to do and why BEFORE they do it, no matter what it is. I’ve yet to find a dentist who can do that well. Yet it makes a huge difference to me in managing my fear.
I appreciate the post and think it has a lot of value. That said, I don’t think I understand the term meta-communication. I’ve never heard of that term before, but in my work life, there is a concept called “meta-data”. Metadata is “data about data.” For example, suppose you have a table about dogs. The table contains columns for the dog’s name, gender, favorite treat, etc. The data in the table itself: the names, gender, and treat types, is simply “the data”. The metadata would be a description somewhere that explains what goes in each column. For example, this would be metadata: “In the column marked ‘gender’, enter not only information about male/female, but also enter whether the dog is intact vs fixed.”
Following that logic, metacommunication would be “communication about communication”. It might be something like “Hey, I’m about to tell you about the seven wonders of the world.” Or maybe, “Hey puppy, I’m about to give you a series of commands that I would like you to do perfectly the second time through, but feel free to stand there looking at me like I’m silly the first time through.”
In Trisha’s post, it seemed like the example for metacommunication was “communication about something that is about *to happen*”. Isn’t that just communication? Similarly, just because a communication is “general” in nature, ie “Shift your weight as needed” vs “pick up the back left paw”, why does that make it metacommunication? I’m not trying to get picky about semantics. What I’m honestly saying is that it is not clear to me what the difference is between regular communication and metacommunication. I don’t think I’m the only once confused. I wonder if there is a formal definition for metacommunication?
JJ says
I also wanted to post my experience with the whole “lifting the paws” activity. When I was doing physical therapy on my dog after a surgery, one of the things I was suppose to do was lift each paw up one at a time and hold it for a few seconds. I never said a specific word, but I did consciously and consistently slide my hand down the leg slowly until I got to the paws. Then I’d pause. Then I’d lift the leg. Duke never seemed to catch on. Over half the time, he was putting weight on the leg I was lifting.
Do I just have a dumb dog? (Which is true beyond all doubt.) Or could it be that this type of communication really needs a verbal component to be effective?
Sharon says
The common thread I see in most of the comments is the concept of respect for one’s dog and how he/she experiences the world. I used to have conversations with a family member who loved his dog, but was locked in the concept of “dominance” over his dog, of having control, and having good obedience. Now I can finally articulate why his approach bothered me so much – the dog was treated as a much-loved object, not respected as a work and life partner.
I think about all the times in my life when someone else had control – as a student in a large school, as a medical patient, as an employee, even as a child in the household – and my experiences were always better when I was treated with positive. respectful meta-communication that gave me a head’s up. Why shouldn’t it be any different for other sentient animals?
Monty Roberts noted that many people were very strongly affected, emotionally, when they attended his seminars and watched the horses “join up”. These were people who confided that it made them think about times when they had no control in their own lives, and how watching these horses voluntarily make a decision to go to the handler just flooded them, emotionally.
We can’t always give our dogs a choice. We can give them respect, and communicate with them so they have at least a chance to prepare themselves for whatever is ahead. I guess it’s the difference between having something done “to” them, and something done “with” them.
Betsy C says
You mention in your latest blog that there will be ‘ more about Will and the fence later’….will you be commenting on electric fencing and invisible fencing for canine confinement? It’s been hard to find reliable behavioral information re: the use of these tools so I would love to hear your thoughts. Do you think there is a difference for the dogs between invisible fencing and electrified fencing? Do you feel there is any difference in that you are using your electric fence for managing your sheep instead of your dogs? Or do you also use them for keeping your dogs on your property? Do you ever recommend these products to your clients? Have there been any well designed studies following behavior changes with electric fencing? Thanks.
Kat says
Last night we had two strays jump our fence to be with Ranger. I really hate suddenly having two completely unknown dogs visiting as I have no idea what to expect and with two kids and two cats the potential for disaster can’t be ignored. I’m not at all set up to be able to separate strays and since these two had already jumped the fence there was no way I’d be able to confine them safely except behind Ranger’s 6′ high enclosure fence–the yard fence is 4′ and the ornamental gate is about 2’9″ so an easy jump. The strays didn’t act like they lived together but more like they’d met on the road and agreed to travel together. Since the one, shepherd mix attacked/bullied the other, shar pei mix a couple of times I didn’t want to confine them together. Ranger had already adopted the less confident shar pei mix and was taking care of him so I confined those two together and left the other in the yard. As I hoped he stayed nearby so as not to leave the other two although he was outside the fence when I went out in the morning. All of which is somewhat beside the point which is that having followed this discussion and being a devotee of this blog I was able to draw on the things I’ve learned in order to smoothly manage the unplanned addition of two strange dogs and have them relaxed and cooperative when animal control came this morning to collect them. Thank you!
Angel says
I agree with JJ, in that I too was confused about the definition of meta-communication and how the cues Trisha and others are talking about applied to the term. Would meta-communication be more along the lines of, “Ready?” followed by another command, such that the “ready” command is kind of a “pay attention, I’m getting ready to ask you something important here”? So then the “ready” is a communication that more communication is coming? ????
Whatver the terms involved, I agree that communicating our intentions with our dogs is good. Whether it’s in giving them a chance to ready themselves for handling, like when their paws are going to be cleaned, or when preparing to do a training session, and you’re giving them a heads-up that it’s time to do some work. It’s not only respectful of them but makes things easier for all involved.
I’ll have to pay more attention to these kinds of cues that I give to Bear, and also consciously try to use them more when handling him. Especially his paws, which he doesn’t like. Makes it difficult to treat his paw that he’s been licking raw. Maybe giving him a cue will help him put up with it a little easier.
Sharon says
JJ discussed “meta data” and how that could be used to understand “meta communication”. There is also a term, “meta-messaging”, which technically is a “message about a message”. It can relate to implied messages (think advertising, politics, etc!), as well as non-verbal messages. The non-verbal messaging has obvious implications for our interactions with dogs. For instance if you tell your dog to come with a happy voice, but you have the bath-time leash in your hand, you are sending the meta-message that it is bath-time.
I think that meta-messaging overlaps with meta-communication, but I think that meta-communication is probably a more intentional interaction with our dogs, while meta-messaging is often unnoticed by humans.
em says
Hi,
I just recently started reading this blog and I have to commend you all on a very thoughtful and thought-provoking discussion. I really appreciate the kind and loving toward dog training that is evident in most of the posts that I’ve read, and it is fascinating to hear about others’ experiences with their dogs.
That said, my own experience with my adopted great dane has taught me just how complex the issues of communication, learned experience, and social hierarchy (I’m avoiding the ‘d’-word, though I’m not entirely convinced that the construct need be abandoned entirely) can be, especially when wrangling an anxious dog into doing something that is either unpleasant or frightening to him.
I agree with many of the posters, and with Lisa’s original point,that dogs are less stressed in situations where they are free to make at least some of their own choices. Almost all dogs are more comfortable in situations in which they are less physically restrained-removing the possibility of escape-even if they never intend to take advantage of that possibility, is frightening all by itself. That said, I wonder whether ‘warning’ communications like the ones discussed above have more to do with asserting your leadership role than anything else.
When we first adopted Otis, he was terribly malnourished, recovering from entropion surgery, battling a moderate case of demodex and some chronic digestive issues. Worse than that, though, was the fact that at approximately 18 mos. old, he had no -absolutely no- observable experience living in a human home. He did not understand words at all-it wasn’t just that the words were unfamiliar, it took months for him to learn that those noises were a means of communication at all. He had to cover a lot of ground very fast, all while submitting to unpleasant medical treatment. As a result, he learned to associate verbal praise with discomfort and became very suspicious of anyone offering treats, lest they be trying to smuggle nasty medicines inside them. When we returned from our walks before medicine time, he would drag his feet, hang his head and resist even going into the house-he knew what was coming well before I said anything to him. This situation only got better when I STOPPED speaking to him prior to administering his medicine. Instead of smothering him with reassurance and trying to distract him with treats, as my vet recommended, I said nothing, walked calmly to him, took him by the collar, brought him to the kitchen, matter-of-factly administered his medicine and then let him go shake it off. When he returned to me, I would praise him and give him a treat. He still hated the medicine, but his anxiety dropped dramatically-he no longer showed fear before medication time or stress afterward.
So what really happened in his mind? I’m not sure I know, but I suspect that it has to do with increasing clarity in our communication and confidence in my leadership. Other variables remained the same-same medicine, same adminsitration technique, same time, same place. The difference was that now I was clear-I was not trying to trick him by sending mixed messages, nor was I offering a bargain-(if I were, refusing the treat should have given him the right to refuse the medicine). I was simply informing him, using body language, that I had made a decision-and that I was sure about it, so he should trust that I knew what I was doing. I think many of the meta-communications listed above are actually in the same vein. At bottom, it may be about helping the dog to feel better, but it’s really NOT about giving the dog a choice. Or it is, but the choice isn’t really about whether to have the procedure or not, or really even whether to lift his paws or turn his head so that I can put drops in the other eye (Otis does this for me). The choice is about whether or not to accept leadership. By informing our dogs that we have made a decision before acting on it, we give them the option to accept, not just that decision, but our right to make it,strengthening our social bond. I don’t think that the reverse is necessarily true- rejecting a paw-wiping doesn’t necessarily reflect a comprehensive rejection of leadership, but I would argue that ACCEPTING an unpleasant action or task is a way of acknowleging social allegiance.
Whew! Sorry about the long first post! Thank everyone again for such a stimulating discussion!
Don says
The idea of using meta-communication cues to help your dog deal with stress (e.g., when they’re getting their feet wiped or their nails clipped) reminds me of some research on learned helplessness that I became familiar with when I worked in a rat lab many years ago. It was already well known that uncontrollable stressful events can produce a behavioral syndrome in animals that resembles depression. But an interesting thing about it was that rats were much less likely to develop learned helplessness from receiving uncontrollable stress if the stressful events were made predictable by giving them warning signals. So, when something is unpleasant and uncontrollable to an animal (including humans!), then you can still help them avoid becoming overwhelmed by stress if you make the situation more predictable and less surprising.
JJ says
Trisha wrote: “A short post today, but I hope a helpful one.”
Yes, very helpful. I shared this post with some dog-loving co-workers. They all thought it was helpful, but one in particular was just thrilled. She has two Great Danes and she wipes their paws all the time. She says it can be very hard work and is excited about trying out this idea – hoping they will shift their weight so she doesn’t have as much lifting to do.
Just thought you’d want to know.
Jana says
I just love reading your books and your blog. What a wonderful article.
It really doesn’t seem fair how little say our dogs have about what happens to them. That’s why I am extremely thoughtful of them.
I do fully appreciate the importance of allowing the dog to shift weight when handling legs/paws, with Jasmine’s bi-lateral ACL surgeries.
Not sure what your dog’s issue are, but did you consider stem cell therapy? Works wonders for many dogs, including our Jasmine.
Melinda says
Our dogs frequently ride with us on errands, outings, and other field trips. They love car rides. We say “hang on” to indicate when the car is getting ready to turn so that they can shift their balance appropriately and not get tossed around in the crate. Each of them has a different way of responding to “hang on”; one leans against the appropriate crate wall as the turn begins, another lays down, another adopts a wider stance with front legs. All of them are the same breed so its different how the accomodate their center of gravity. Hang on!!
Melinda says
That should have read: “all of them are the same breed; so its interesting to watch how they each accomodate their centers of gravity”.
Ignacio says
I’ve never thought about this, but yes… I do almost exactly the same thing when it’s time to wipe paws before entering the house. And it hasn’t been intentional, it just came up naturally (I probably look like crazy because I do talk quite often to our dogs).
On a side note, something that really impressed me is that our older dog picked up the commands “paw” and “other paw” when cleaning up, but doesn’t use them always in the same sequence. In other words: once he is in a seated position, I say “paw” (well, I actually say “pata!” which is the Spanish version) and he gives me one paw to clean. Sometimes the left one, sometimes the right one. After that, I always say “other paw” (“otra pata”) and he gives me the other paw, regardless of how he started. I wonder if he learned two sequences (these two words mean first left, then right, or first right, then left) or if the really understands the concept that “other paw” means the one I’m not currently holding.
Frances says
Another interesting discussion – I’m just catching up with your blog after a week or two away on holiday. I do wonder how much verbal communication is for our benefit as humans – by saying words and meaning them, perhaps we align our body language etc in ways that dogs can understand more clearly. As the post above points out, using ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ creates a calm, courteous space where both I and my dogs are comfortable. Interestingly, Sophy has learned her own way of saying ‘please’ – a particularly neat and tidy down, while staring hard at me. just as a child learns that ‘please’ is the magic word, she has found the magic position that persuades me to cooperate with her. I am aware that I am much more comfortable with the concept of establishing mutual communication with my dogs than I am with simply training them to respond to specific commands, while they seem to consider it all to be part of the same weird and wonderful game by which humans can be persuaded to provide Good Stuff for Dogs. I suspect much of my chatter is far more for my benefit than theirs!
Physical handling is perhaps slightly different – I too learned a lot about handling animals by working with horses, and eventually also realised how scary it must be for a small dog to be swooped upon and swept high into the air. Are the cues/touches/communication we use here simply methods to damp down the fight/flight mechanism that is triggered by feeling trapped and constrained? And the words our human way of making our hands, eyes and stance communicate a lack of threat?