Listening to Your Dog

Why you should listen to your dog


Listening to your dog means your dog is listening to you—it’s as simple as that. If one of you is not listening, there cannot be a good two-sided communication level. It is more like we have with our children, “Uh huh…yes, I hear you.” But our mind is halfway across the world as we watch our soaps.






The relationship you develop with your little puppy you just brought home or an adult dog from the shelter should be one of unconditional love and trust—starting from day one. Otherwise, why have one?  A loving dog owner should look into his dog’s eyes every time and feel joyous recognition for who the dog is and what it is saying.


An unbreakable bond needs to develop that can be seen when your dog looks directly into your eyes with love and devotion, one that can be felt instantly in the heart. Every time your dog looks into your eyes, there should be an instant feeling of connection, “I know you…you are someone who loves me and I can trust.”


This level of communication is vital before serious training begins, influencing its level of success.  Your dog should listen to your commands because they love you and wish to please you…not out of fear or due to a harsh reprimand. The phrase “violence breeds violence” is never more true than when training a dog, as all dogs are different and require different levels of communication and training to reach into their mind and heart. Especially… if the new dog comes from an abusive home or a shelter with no background information, and are carrying negative baggage you know nothing about…old battle wounds that have never healed.