Why Dr. Doolittle was Right!

YES! TALK TO THE ANIMALS... IT'S MAGIC!! 

In all seriousness, TALKING to your dog can be THE most game-changing way to improving your life together! 

OK, now I can literally see you raising an eyebrow at me 🤨 - like I’m that crazy cat dog lady. But, let me explain (maybe then you won’t think I’m TOTALLY off my rocker!) 

Let’s start from a place that I’m pretty sure we can ALL agree: 

We CAN teach dogs words, right? 

Words that tell them what we’d like them to do: like sit, down, come, stay etc. Yes?

And... they also learn words we *DIDN’T* intentionally teach them - the ones that they figured out all by themselves. The ones we have to whisper or spell, like W.A.L.K. or D.I.N.N.E.R.?? 

Dogs are smart cookies - and masters of making connections.  So, why not use their listening skills to HELP THEM navigate life (and make it easier for US to all live together more harmoniously)?

Like kids, dogs have LOTS of questions about the world around them. 

By leaving them to their own devices, they have no choice but to try to make sense of how life works ALONE 😳 - which is tough, and leaves a LOT of room for misunderstanding. 

 

How to use it:

Just narrating in SIMPLE terms, you can bridge that gap by: 

• EASING their worry about things >> "It's just a truck"
• AVOIDING a stressful event >>  "I've got you - let's go!"
• GIVING them a heads up about what's about to happen >> "Can I help your paw?"

MR. ROGERS IN ACTION...

 Setting Boundaries >> "All Done!" 

My teen dog has an OFF-THE-CHARTS play drive, and there are some times when I'd actually like to stop. So, instead of asking HIM to do something - I just let him know that I'm ALL DONE playing.

"All Done" 

👇🏼 Click to play! 👇🏼

Supporting another dog's peace >> "He said no"

E.g. your doggie brother is *trying* to tell you he's had enough of your shenanigans.

 "He said no" + "Where's your toy?" ...all while cooking!

👇🏼 Click to play! 👇🏼

Up your game

To show your dog that they're on the right track, you can also add a treat (or three!) as feedback when they react in a productive way.  This might be NOT having a meltdown at the sight of the cat running across the street, sitting still for a paw inspection, or moving away from the dog who's not into sharing their stuff!

The AMAZING news?…

As a parent, chances are YOU’RE ALREADY EPIC at this!

On a daily basis, you’re teaching your child how to navigate life with easy-to-understand language.   AND… because you’re the ‘explainer’ of things - your kids will look to you for information and guidance.  Sooooo..... you could be building the same VALUE and connection with your dog. 

Everyone LOVES a dog who ‘listens’ - and YOU can get that without forcing it, but just by talking.  By using meaningful words to HELP your dog, rather than ONLY telling them what to do -  your family dog will WANT to listen to what you have to say.  

We, Family Dog Mediators call it The “Mr. Rogers” Hack and we use it ALL the time ourselves, and with our clients.  If you want to get on the bandwagon, and try it at home, you can get the lowdown on exactly how to do it, here.  

Just think of all the new ways you could communicate with your dog… it’s absolutely magic!