278: Humans Can’t Communicate

The statement in the heading for this blog post is clearly true.

Many rows, arguments, industrial disputes, skirmishes and even wars start from some form of non-, poor-, or mis- communication resulting in misunderstanding..

However, it is not my responsibility - or even interest- to discuss such weighty matters.  I am, here, focused on the ability of human beans to communicate with their pets - snd principally their dogs.

I rarely see my  friends who live in the  in the street - Max, Coco, Elsa and so on  This is presumably because our walk times do not coincide - or even overlap.  I do, though, hear them as they are let out into their gardens at various times of the day.  Occasionally I hear their human beans talking to them - but surprisingly infrequently..   The exception is when the dog has done something that has displeased the human - or perhaps not done something that would have pleased the human.  Then, the human communicates - usually in a very loud, angry, shouty voice.

Do you realise what this does to us dogs.  If we only hear humans when they are angry and shouty, it makes humans seem as though they have a propensity for angry shoutiness….. this seems to be their preferred form of communication with their pet.  If all is well, there is no communication.  No praise, no positive reinforcement for good behaviour - just this shift to shoutiness for any transgression - or perceived transgression.

Come on, humans …. Treat us better.  Let us know you care with kind, quiet words …. as much as you shout at us.  Communication can underpin good behaviours and good relationships as much as it can trigger resentment, lack of confidence - and withdrawal from relationships. 

We don't want arguments or war - we want peace, tranquility, positive bonding, affection.

Do we need to train you better?

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277: An Intruder