Using Tone in Training Your Dog

Darlene Taylor - Edmonton Alberta
k9behave@interbaun.com

When we communicate to each other we put emotion behind it. You can say the same words but put different emotion behind it to communicate a message to your listener. Say, "I'd like you to have this!" in an angry, cheerful, or sad voice and those same words can imply different things to the listener.

Imagine the sargeant of a platoon delivering instructions to the troops in a cheery voice, an angry voice, a demanding voice. Listen to someone giving instructions - a teacher, judge, police officer, fire chief. The listener will respond to what is being said, often without thinking about it first, if it is said clearly, crisply and with authority.

It has to be clear. If the message can't be heard or understood, how can the listener respond? Delivery is crisp, short, concise. A long, drawn-out explanation or sentence is less likely to get a response than a one or two word instruction with few syllables (Turn right, stop, about face, proceed, attention, heads up, sit, down, stay.)

Authority doesn't mean yelling or loud. Authority has little to do with volume and a lot to do with knowing what to say, saying it, and having no doubt it will be complied with.

Remember, "clean up your room." "Wash the dishes." "Get a job." have meaning and are likely to be complied with, even under protest.

"Pass the butter." "Hand me the wrench." "Give me change for a five." are all short, clear, crisp directions given with "authority" that will likely be complied with.

It is the tone of the delivery of those instructions that differentiates it from other types of conversation. The unconscious tendency when training dogs is to change commands or instructions into requests. or parts of a conversation, as well as varying the instruction. "Sit", delivered in a moderate, clear, crisp voice with an expectation that it will be carried, out sometimes becomes "S- i - i - t - t" with a musical lilting tone. Or even, "S-i-t, s-i-t . . . sit". Unfortunately, it's easy to get into that habit almost like teaching a child to talk and saying the word to them so they can repeat it back.

Perhaps it's like teaching someone to speak English? Where we repeat the word at various speeds, tones and emphasis, so they can hear and learn, then repeat it back, while following through with the action so they can associate the word with the action.

Dogs don't need to say it back. They only need to follow through with the action (like a game where you're not allowed to repeat the clue). It should be clear, crisp and with authority - and identical each time you say it. This helps the dog easily differentiate the command from conversation and recognize that when the word is delivered in that way, that it applies to him.

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