Talking to the dog

In order to train a dog, you have to speak to it.  Giving a command is a way of talking to the dog.  Giving praise and showing affection also require talking to the dog.  I find myself saying all kinds of things to Marley, many of which he will probably never understand, as if he were a human child.  But he does understand quite a bit, sometimes more than I realize.

Here is a sampling of the things I say to Marley:

• This is my breakfast.  That's your breakfast over there (pointing to his food bowl).
• Be a good boy for Mommy today.  I'll see you tonight, Marley.
• Slow down, stay with me.
• It's alright Marley, that little one is just afraid of you.
• Don't be looking for sticks, play with dogs.
• Leave that stick alone.  You don't want to get sick again.
• Let's go.  All the way through, Marley.  All the way through (running through the intersection).  Good boy.
• You're such a good boy.  You're my good dog.
• This is your kind of weather, isn't it Marley?
• What are you thinking?  What do you see? What do you smell? (as he sits at the end of the street, looking into the distance)
• You're just waiting for your dog buddies, aren't you (sitting in the street late at night)?
• Let's go home and see Debbie.  [I know he understands this.]
• Finish your rice (as I point to his food bowl). [He knew what I meant and ate more rice.]

Talking to the dog, I also find myself talking more with other dog owners.  I know they talk to their dogs.  And we talk about what our dogs like & dislike, how they behave, which dogs they play with or don't get along with.

I forget what the subject was.  Debbie said, "he doesn't understand that."  I replied, "if any dog would understand, it would be Marley."  She said, "you're right."