Communication: Signals

In the context of you communicating to your dog, a signal is a stimulus given by the handler that predicts an event or situation. That stimulus might be by sound, sight, sensation etc. The event or situation being signalled may be specific or general.

The scope of what is covered by the term Signal is very broad, and can cover many situations. Here are a few forms of signals that you might encounter:

• A trigger/go-signal

• An anticipatory signal

• A behaviour window transition (although this might also be described as an informal command/cue).

A signal is different from a command because a signal does not contain an instruction for a particular behaviour. A dog might choose to respond or prepare for a behaviour change, or direction for a particular behaviour may precede or follow a signal, but the signal itself does not request a particular behaviour (rather it predicts a an event or situation). In short, a signal is just a comment on the situation.

Please note that as the other 4 methods of communication capture the majority of common uses of 'down leash' communication, the cases that remain under the umbrella of Signals are often odd and rely heavily on the dog's own decision making. As such, signals can be considered an advanced skillset for everyone involved. It can sometimes be more convenient to categorise a signal as some other type of communication method, entirely for practical purposes. Especially consider the details of the communication when trying to recognise a signal from other methods.

Example of a go-signal

A behaviour is requested of the dog, perhaps by command, and after a moment of anticipation a go-signal is given to trigger those behaviours. The go-signal indicated that the situation had changed from a position of 'preparing to act' to 'able to act'. It was not a command or cue as it didn't contain an instruction for particular behaviour. It did indicate that the dog could change their understanding of the situation/progress of the event.

Example of an anticipatory signal

You're driving in a car with your dogs in the back. Before raising the rear windows next to where they are seated, you give the verbal signal "Windows". A moment later you raise the windows. The signal indicated to the dogs that the situation was about to change/an event about to happen.

Example of a behaviour window transition

You are playing with your dog, and they are very much in a play window. It moment comes to stop playing and for the dog to be at rest. In order to aid the transition, you signal to your dog "easy". This verbal signal communicates to your dog that the situation is now changing to a relaxed vibe. You are not actually asking for a behaviour (so it is not a command), rather just notifying the dog, and they can respond however they like.

Consider what is actually being signalled by a window transition,

"the situation is changing so that....":

• Rest - nothing interesting is going to happen, or will be present

• Liberty - nothing in required of you, do as you want

• Play - the handler wants to play

• Work - the object of your work might be present, and is permitted