top of page
Writer's pictureNicole Wilde

Less is More

Updated: Jan 23, 2021


man talking through megaphone to dog

Have you ever had a friend who tends toward the talkative? Part of your brain eventually goes on automatic pilot, and while it’s off creating a list for your next supermarket run, it snags on a pertinent word. What’s that you just said about the discounted dog treats? you ask, as your brain snaps back into engagement mode. I often think dogs filter our speech in the same way. So many of us chat to our dogs constantly, and even when giving verbal cues, say things like, “Come on, Buddy, come here now, come on!” And we wonder why dogs just don’t get us sometimes.


I always try to include some training in my early morning walks with my dogs. One of the things Sierra and I practice is that on my verbal cue, she’s to stop what she’s doing—which includes the wolf impression she loves to do as she stalks approaching dogs—and sit in front of me, eyes on me. She’s doing well, as is Bodhi, whose job is, on my cue, to walk by my side and pass other dogs without lunging or barking. As someone who’s naturally chatty, I often make non-training-related, friendly comments to Bodhi and Sierra that I’m certain make no sense to them whatsoever (I’m pretty sure they roll their eyes at each other when I’m not looking). But at the park, I’m doing my best to stop speaking to them, unless I’m giving a specific verbal cue . I’ve curbed the Okay, you can go pee on that phrase that I use with Bodhi quite often, and the Not everyone wants to say hello to you that follows Sierra’s encounters with certain passersby. As a result, my dogs have been paying more attention to the words that do come out of my mouth.


The other morning, as a result of the Jeep being out of commission, my husband and I ended up walking the dogs together. Each time I said something to him, the dogs immediately turned and focused on me. It was a nice surprise, and showed me just how far the “less is more” linguistic strategy has taken us. I don’t recommend that anyone try to curb their love or enthusiasm for their dogs, but reducing your chatter and keeping it to verbal cues your dogs already know, at least out in public, is an experiment worth trying.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Don’t want to miss anything? Subscribe to the blog to be notified of new posts!


4 views15 comments

15 Comments


CQTS NWVB
CQTS NWVB
3 days ago

google 优化 seo技术+jingcheng-seo.com+秒收录;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Slots Fortune…

站群/ 站群

gamesimes gamesimes;

03topgame 03topgame

EPS Machine EPS Cutting…

EPS Machine EPS and…

EPP Machine EPP Shape…

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

EPS Machine EPS and…

betwin betwin;

777 777;

slots slots;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Like

WKDU TRBD
WKDU TRBD
6 days ago

google seo google seo技术飞机TG-cheng716051;

03topgame 03topgame

gamesimes gamesimes;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Slots Fortune Tiger…

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

EPS машины EPS машины;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

EPS Machine EPS Cutting Machine;

EPS Machine EPS and EPP…

EPP Machine EPP Shape Moulding…

EPS Machine EPS and EPP…

EPTU Machine ETPU Moulding Machine

EPS Machine EPS Cutting Machine;

Like

ENTE SECX
ENTE SECX
6 days ago
Like

WKDU TRBD
WKDU TRBD
Dec 17

google seo google seo技术飞机TG-cheng716051;

03topgame 03topgame

gamesimes gamesimes;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Slots Fortune Tiger…

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

EPS машины EPS машины;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

EPS Machine EPS Cutting Machine;

EPS Machine EPS and EPP…

EPP Machine EPP Shape Moulding…

EPS Machine EPS and EPP…

EPTU Machine ETPU Moulding Machine

EPS Machine EPS Cutting Machine;

Like

CQTS NWVB
CQTS NWVB
Dec 10

google seo google seo技术+飞机TG+cheng716051;

game game

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

456bet 456bet

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Slots Fortune Tiger…

03topgame 03topgame

EPS машины EPS машины;

seo seo;

EPS Machine EPS and EPP…

EPS Machine EPS and EPP…

EPS Machine EPS Cutting Machine;

Like
bottom of page