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Communication and Training with Dogs
- Phil Lassiter
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Let’s explore how to communicate and train our dogs more effectively.
I am currently learning a foreign language and working toward becoming fluent. Learning the language itself is only part of the process. To truly become fluent, I must also understand the culture behind the language so that I don’t unintentionally offend—or misinterpret—an action, gesture, or behavior.
Communication and training with dogs are very similar. If we want to become fluent with our dogs, we must understand not only the “language” of training—but also the culture of how dogs communicate and perceive the world.
Understanding the Culture of Communication
From the moment a puppy is born, it begins learning how to receive and process information. For the first 5–14 days of life, a puppy’s eyes and ears are closed. During this time, they rely almost entirely on scent and touch to locate their mother and nurse.
This method of gathering information never goes away. Dogs will always prioritize these senses when interpreting their environment.
Our bodies constantly emit signals—pheromones and energy—that communicate emotions such as anxiety, calmness, fear, or confidence. Dogs are highly sensitive to this, which is why your emotional state directly impacts your dog’s behavior.
As puppies grow, they learn communication through interactions with their mother and littermates. They engage in play—chasing, wrestling, growling—and begin to understand the balance between predator and prey behaviors.
Predator behavior: assertive, forward movement, confident posture, focused stare
Prey behavior: evasive, submissive, defensive when pressured
Dogs can move between these states depending on the situation.
How This Applies to Real Life
Let’s look at a common example.
Your dog grabs your sock, and you’re worried they might swallow it. You panic, raise your voice, and chase your dog.
In that moment, you have become the predator, and your dog shifts into prey mode. Instinct takes over. The dog runs, hides, and may even growl if cornered.
If repeated, this interaction teaches your dog one thing:👉 Run away when the owner approaches.
Instead, change the game.
Move backward. Lower your posture. Call your dog in a calm, inviting tone. You can even kneel or make yourself smaller. This shifts you into a non-threatening role, encouraging your dog to approach you.
When your dog returns—celebrate the recall.
Even if the sock is still in their mouth.
Why? Because the last thing you asked your dog to do was come, and that behavior must always be reinforced positively. The issue of stealing the sock is a separate lesson.
Another Example: Jumping Behavior
When a dog jumps on you, it is often acting in an assertive, attention-seeking (predator-like) manner.
Common human reactions:
Backing up → submissive
Standing still → passive
Submissive behavior often invites more jumping. Passive behavior may work with some dogs, but not all—especially high-drive dogs.
The most effective response is:👉 Calm, assertive movement forward with purpose
This mirrors how dogs naturally correct each other. It removes the dog from predator mode without creating fear.
How Dogs Communicate with Each Other
Understanding canine communication helps prevent miscommunication between dogs and humans.
Dogs use:
Body Posture
Tall, stiff posture → challenge or dominance
Lowered body, licking → submission and non-threat
Body Movement
Play bow, loose movement → friendly intent
Direct, stiff approach → challenge or correction
Running away → invitation to chase
Eye Contact
Hard stare → potential conflict
Soft eyes → relaxed, safe
Proximity
Standing close → control, possession, or confidence
Calm presence → can reduce tension
Energy and Scent
Dogs gather emotional information through scent and environmental energy. They can detect stress, excitement, and tension instantly.
The Language of Training: ARTOC
Dogs learn through a system. I use the acronym ARTOC:
Association – connecting actions to outcomes
Repetition – building reliability through practice
Timing – marking the exact moment of success or failure
Outcomes – meaningful consequences
Consistency – clear and repeated expectations
Marker Training System
In my training system, I use marker training—clear signals that communicate success or failure.
“Yes” = success → followed by a positive outcome
“No” = failure → followed by a meaningful consequence
These are signals, not commands.
They should not carry emotional tone—just like a clicker. The purpose is clarity, not emotion.
Communication Sequence
Positive Sequence
Command → Success → “Yes” → Reward
Negative Sequence
Command → Failure → “No” → Consequence
The Importance of Meaningful Outcomes
Outcomes must matter to the dog.
A reward only works if the dog values it.
I once had a student use carrots as a reward because her dog loved them. That worked great for her dog. For my dogs, it would have failed completely—they have no interest in carrots. There would be no motivation to repeat the behavior. The reward simply wouldn’t be meaningful.
The same principle applies to consequences. If the outcome doesn’t matter to the dog, it won’t influence behavior.
Let me give you a real-life example.
When my granddaughters were six and four years old, they once asked their mother if they could have cookies before dinner. Their mom, who was busy cleaning at the time, clearly told them:
“No cookies before dinner.” (That was the expected behavior.)
A few minutes later, the older sister decided to go ahead and grab cookies anyway—and of course, she brought her younger sister along with her. They sat down together and enjoyed their cookies… thinking they had gotten away with it.
When their mother came back into the room, she noticed the girls were sitting quietly in the designated timeout area.
She asked, “What are you two doing?”
The older one responded:
“We’re in timeout… because we ate cookies.”
Think about that for a moment.
They clearly understood the rule. They understood the consequence. And they chose the behavior anyway.
Why?
Because the outcome—timeout—was not meaningful enough to outweigh the reward of getting cookies.
Dogs think the same way.
If the reward isn’t meaningful, they won’t repeat the behavior.If the consequence isn’t meaningful, they won’t avoid the behavior.
Clarity matters—but meaningful outcomes are what drive change.
Closing Summary: Clarity Builds Trust
Dogs are always learning from us.
The question is not whether we are training them—it is what we are teaching them through our actions, energy, and consistency.
Clear communication removes confusion.Consistency creates predictability. Predictability builds trust.
When dogs understand what is expected, how to succeed, and what the outcomes will be, they become calmer, more confident, and more reliable.
Training is not about control—it is about communication. It is about creating a shared understanding between you and your dog.
When that understanding is built with clarity, fairness, and consistency, you develop a relationship grounded in trust, respect, and confidence…
…on both ends of the leash.
Need Help Communicating Clearly with Your Dog?
At Respect on Both Ends, we specialize in helping dog owners build clear communication, consistency, and confidence in their training.
If you’re struggling with:
Your dog not listening or responding inconsistently
Repeating commands multiple times
Frustration during training
Behavioral issues that don’t seem to improve
Not knowing how to reinforce or correct behavior
We can help through:
✔ Private lessons for personalized coaching
✔ Group classes to build consistency and real-world obedience
✔ Board & Train programs for structured, immersive learning
✔ Behavior modification programs for more challenging cases
Clear communication changes everything.
Let’s create clarity, consistency, and trust — on both ends of the leash.
