Talking to dogs

[snowbunny]

I loved this article by Alexandra Horowitz
Opinion | Things People Say to Their Dogs

 

[Selina27]

Yes, that's really great, thanks for sharing. I talk to Cassie all the time, sometimes my son starts taking the mickey and uses a high pitched squeaky voice to talk to her, she loves it!
I can't do heel work without talking to her, just feels so rude!

 

[Jacqui-S]

"we do talk to dogs as though we are in a running conversation"
Moi?
I absolutely get the Facilitator Of Conversation bit too.
Lovely article, made me smile

 

[Cath]

I know I do so much, my son once said to me that Fred can't get a word in sideways

 

[FayRose]

Interesting article. I talk to Molly all the time - including when I'm training, which I am realise is not the ideal - and as is discussed in the article, not just commands or 'good girl' type of stuff.
Sadly I often tell her about things that I'm struggling with, like awkward family situations or work challenges. The funny thing is, she often seems to listen, she certainly looks at me as if she's taking it all in What would I do without Molls to sort it all out for me?

 

[Boogie]

We also talk to each other through the dog.

Eg “I wonder if Mummy would like burgers for tea?” - friendly conversation through the dog, we both do it.

“Mummy doesn’t like it when .....” - these kind of comments when OH is ‘testing the water’ and dare not ask me straight. I don’t do this one as I’m straight talking with everyone.
.

 

[M.F.]

Hilarious! As were the comments. I liked this one in particular:

Although I still miss living in New York City I confess I’m relieved the author did not hear me on the corner of 70th and York assuring Mr. Fluffy that he is the Messiah of Dogs. That statement can provoke strong reactions from other people but invariably they are more interested in what he thinks about it. My own mother often remarks that I have lost my mind over that dog, right before she says to him, “Isn’t that right, Fluff?”

 

[M.F.]

We talk to Snowie all the time. It never struck me as something that could be odd!

If my husband does something I don’t like, I say to Snowie, “Do you see what I have to put up with?!” My husband gets so annoyed, thinks I might be influencing Snowie’s opinion of him!!! That’s why I loved the comment that I pasted above.

 

[Joy]

I often hear myself talking to Molly as if she were a four-year-old child (a result of me being an Early Years teacher I think). I say things like, 'Now it's really not a good idea to do that because ....' When it's just me and Molls at training, I explain the order of events : 'Have a run around for a few minutes and then we'll do a bit of heel-work and after that we'll play tuggy.' When we're getting ready to go out I say things like, ' Shall we go to the beach or the Downs, what do you think?' I also often tell her she's the best little doggie in all the world ('best'? yes, 'little'? hmm) while we gaze into each others eyes.

 

[Shaz82]

Sounds like we are all a bit chatty with our dogs, but what about other people?
People are asking Maisy all the time "What's your name then?"
I'd love to be able to throw my voice so it sounds like she is answering

 

[Boogie]

I love the way Tatze sits with her head on one side, looking at me and listening. She’s listening for important words like ‘tea’ or ‘walk’ or ‘Zaba’. I think it’s really clever how she can pick the relevant words out of a whole lot of chat. (to her - monkey noise!)
.

 

[kateincornwall]

I talk to Reuben all the time , even chat to Nelly although she cant hear me xx

 

[snowbunny]

even chat to Nelly although she cant hear me

I bet she can feel and understand the vibrations of your voice, though (as well as the more obvious being able to see you)

 

[kateincornwall]

I bet she can feel and understand the vibrations of your voice, though (as well as the more obvious being able to see you)

Exactly x

 

[Candy]

I was reading the article whilst eating my breakfast, which meant breakfast took a little longer than usual. Joy knows that once breakfast is cleared away it's Walk Time, one of the highlights of her day. As I was reading this morning she was nudging me with her nose and squeaking softly. I found I was saying 'Alright alright, in a minute! Just let me finish this! Actually, I'm reading about how I communicate with YOU, you know.'
Quite, quite ridiculous!
Also just like @Joy I spend a lot of time telling her she's the best little dog in the Whole Wide World and any minute now I suspect I'm going to say to her, 'Right, I'll just put the washing in and then we'll make a start on that chutney!'
No hope for me at all!

 

[MrChew]

I pretty much narrate my whole day to both dog and baby. And yes, I explain what we are going to do as well- "we'll just walk back down the hill, mummy will bring the bins in then we'll all have lunch." And I use a very similar tone of voice for both of them, right down to the "good boooy." Oh dear. And I call the dog all sorts of embarrassing pet names in public. I remember a kid who walked past us yelling out "MUM, that lady called her dog sweetie!"

 

[M.F.]

If Snowie is bugging me for a walk but it’s too early and I still have to work, I tell him, “It’s too early and you need to wait ten minutes.” Then I hold up ten fingers and show him how long that it is. Yeah, I get that English might be difficult for him.

 

[Ashley]

We talk to Quinn and through Quinn constantly! I leave notes for OH to do certain chores, signed by Quinn - he says he only does things that Quinn asks him to so We say sorry to her every time she can't come with us, and say it again when we get home!

 

[Sophiedoodle]

I noticed on Sunday that @Beanwood would speak to Benson, and then reply as Benson in a deeper voice. I just thought “thank goodness I’m not the only one who does that”!!! I even do it with the dogs at work

 

[snowbunny]

I was just telling Ginny (who is getting slower, bless her) that I am going to a nature reserve tomorrow morning and that, if dogs are allowed (I can't find the info online) then we'll go next week and it will be our special place. She understood every word.