Watching & Listening

Behaviourists are often referred to as ‘Whisperers’ and I have certainly been called this, but I see my role as more of a watcher and listener for both my clients and their dogs.

When people talk to me about issues and problems, it is up to me to listen, and then watch the behaviour of both my client and their dog(s) to assess how this affects the situation.

I begin with a verbal conversation with a client, but the real conversation is very non-verbal. We humans actually communicate using far more body language and tone of voice than we do words, so we should be really good at understanding and communicating with our dogs, but it seems that watching and listening is something that isn’t part of the deal in lots of cases.

Communication breakdown between a dog and owner is very common, but this is something that can be rectified. Dogs are very good at learning us. They watch and they listen, and they act on tiny cues we give them - most of the time we are not even aware of these. So many people say ‘He knows we’re going out before I do!’, but there will be a subtle change in energy, little shifts in our position, maybe a look towards the door that dogs will pick up because they are paying attention to everything. It is hard wired into their being. It is part of basic survival and why they have been able to integrate into our world so very successfully.

Dogs have a huge range of communication that can tell us so much about how they are feeling or thinking. They use their tails, heads, ears, eyes, posture. They ‘tell’ quite clearly, but unless we are paying attention we will miss those subtle cues, the warning signs.

"He bit without warning" is something that rarely happens, but if we pay attention, our dogs are really honest and tell us exactly how they are feeling. It's up to us to learn that language.

So often I see people walking their dogs, an appendage on the end of a lead, whilst they tap out a text or chat on the phone. We, as owners, guardians, walkers and handlers are responsible for watching and listening and learning that vital communication role so that we can understand our dogs. This would go a long way towards eliminating behaviour problems and in return for working with our dogs, paying attention to their communication methods, we are rewarded with a bond that is stronger than we can ever imagine.

That is what drives me to be the watcher and listener for my clients and their dogs – I wish that bond for them – I know how special it can be – who wouldn’t want that?