Methods of Communication

Nearly all communication from you to your dog can be described in 4 categories. In order of complexity:

• Pressure (physical & psychological)

• Luring (and body language)

• Commands (formal and informal/cues)

• Markers

And 1 bonus category, separated due to its complex use:

• Signals

Understanding the scope of, and distinction between, each method is important to ensuring clear communication with your dog. By appreciating them individually, we are able to better knit them together to build more advanced guidance and feedback for your dog. Both in training, and in navigating many kinds of situations.

The essential features of each is:

• Pressure - the dog responds to your 'energy'

• Luring - the dog's body follows your body

• Commands - requests that a particular behaviour be preformed

• Markers - gives feedback on a behaviour that just happened

• Signals - indicates that the situation has changed, or an event will occur

A dog's communication with you ('upleash'), and with other dogs, is described differently (although you might notice similarities).