🌟 TIP TUESDAY 🌟
Today’s tip: Body Language is KEY!
Whether you know it or not, the way you and your dog communicate is through body language, not so much with words.
Your dog takes cues from your body language constantly. And yes, when you get really excited or really upset your voice changes and the words you speak change, but it is also your body language that changes and THIS is what your dog is actually reacting to.
So, what does this mean for you, today?!
It means that you need to start paying much closer attention to both your body language and your dogs’ body language.
For your body language, you need to make sure that you are happy and energetic with your dog, especially when in a training session or even just a play session. If you’re not into it, your dog knows it and well, then it’s just no fun!
Setting your dog up for success is something we talk about a lot, and will continue to talk about because it’s so very important. Start on a high note and end on a high note with your dog.
Your emotions effect your dog so much more than you think. In fact, when you are upset and stressed, this leads your dog to be upset and stressed. Know what happens then? Cortisol levels increase. It’s our bodies natural response, your dogs’ body too.
An increase in cortisol messes with your dog’s immune system. (It’s more complicated than that, but I’m giving you the cliff’s notes!) You’re literally making your dog sick with your stress and upset.
NOW – for your dog’s body language. What to do?! PAY ATTENTION to your dog!
It’s literally the easiest thing you can do. Observe.
You’ll begin to notice subtle nuances in your dog’s behavior patterns. Not only will this make it easier for you to modify behaviors in your dog, but you’ll also notice how much more bonded you’ll feel with your dog … because you understand them better!
Questions about your dog’s body language? Leave me a message below!
