Canine Capers: Building Your Dog’s Vocabulary

By Lesley Liddle

Lesley Liddle is a certified service and pet dog trainer. First Mate Lulu is a Corgi/Red Heeler with spots like a baby harbor seal; Crewman Leonard is a Chihuahua/Doxie with tall ears like a rabbit. Both dogs have very short legs and were originally found in California shelters.  Lesley has average legs and can be found on Orcas Island.

We all speak to our dogs a lot – I hope. That is how they learn our language, just like a child would learn.

If you take the time and have the patience to identify common objects repeatedly to your dog, he will learn what they are called. Some dogs are of course smarter than others – but all dogs, given the opportunity, will learn a lot of words as well as tasks. This can be very useful. Assistance dogs learn about two hundred different key words and task commands at school, and many more once they are placed.

Dogs can identify key words in complete sentences, and often they understand the meaning of the sentences. It depends on how you talk to your dog. The handler’s body language and intonation while the message is being said are an important part of the package. A sentence can be either positive or negative, depending on the occasion and voice intonation.

For instance, I can say, “Lulu, you are a Rutabaga.” and depending on how I look and say the sentence, Lulu will be either proud of herself (Wow!) and dance or she will hang her head, droop her tail and go into her house for “time out.”  Lulu is able to interpret “O.K. That’s enough!” to stop playing tug of war, or “O.K.!” with the meaning that she is released from her sit/stay to eat her dinner. Because she is in sync with my intonation and knows what is appropriate given the particular word paired with the activity, she responds correctly.

After you have taught your dog to fetch, it is fun and useful to teach her to bring you specific items such as your slippers, or her collar and leash. Once you have taught her “Find it!”  and the words of all the things you often misplace, she can be sent off to find your car keys, wallet and glasses, even your spouse.

Finally, it is much more satisfying to speak frankly with your dog about all kinds of problems, because she will listen to you attentively and not interrupt. This is better than walking alone and talking to yourself in a loud, chatty voice, and it looks better too.