Does your dood understand what you're saying?

[Pat and Traveler]

I've heard some amazing things about dogs understanding what we're saying.  Aside from the commands we've worked on, they sure seem to pick up other things along the way!  One of Trav's cutest is what he does after he 'plays dead.'  We taught him to lie on his side when we say "Bang, bang--dead dog!'  That's cute.  But he usually continues to wag his tail when he's supposed to be dead--silly dood!  However, now he's learned to hold his tail still if I say, "Dead dogs don't wag their tails," which just cracks me up.

We spell some things so he won't get too excited--walk and ball, for example.  He's picked up some words that I didn't realize he was learning.  "Antler" is one.  I was keeping an antler up on the bookcase for a while.  I didn't want it lost in the yard or collected by his brother.  Much to my surprise, he started looking up at the bookcase when I said 'antler.'  He knows exactly where I keep it.  He learned 'vacuum' somewhere along the line.  He loves to bark at the vacuum and, well, I let him have his fun with it.  Now all I have to do is mutter about having to vacuum, and he trots off to the closet where it's kept.  He understands 'kitty' and 'look' and 'who's that?' and 'squirrel' and some others I'm not thinking of right now.  I put something in his bowl the other day, and when he came in from outside I told him he should look in his bowl, and he went straight to it for the snack.

Has your dog picked up any surprising or unexpected words, or body language clues?   

[Jennifer and Jack]

Jack knows a lot of words as well but he also seems to understand what I am saying... I am always losing my phone. Now all I have to say to Jack is Jack where is mommy's phone and he will go to the place in the house where I left it and stand there and not move until I come get it.  I never rewarded him for that or taught him to do it, I guess he just gets sick of hearing me complain about not being able to find my phone.

He also knows when i get my purse and keys he stands by the door ready to go. I can ask him if he wants to go to school which is no longer does, when I say Jack want to go to school, he goes and hides, When I say Jack want to go for a ride in car, he leaps to the door.

My mom has had Jack pretty consistently since March and when she tell him to sit when they are crossing a street, she always says "sit please" Jack knew sit before my mom but now when I say sit he just looks at me and waits for the please.. I have to say sit please,.. I know he doesn't know please is a polite word but he associated it.

I swear he is so smart...

[Pat and Traveler]

Jennifer, Jack is just a blessing.  Finding your phone is so cool, and I cracked up about your having to say 'please.'  I was wondering if 'go' was a clue word for Trav, no matter where we were going, but Jack's way too smart for that.  He just ain't fallin' for that school gig.  LOL

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Riley never ceases to amaze me with what he knows I am saying.  If I say 'go and get your chewie' he goes to find a chewie, If I say 'go find your ball', he brings back a ball!  When I say 'find Dad' he goes to look for him.  It's pretty unbelievable because I never taught him any of these words.  If I am talking and say I am going out he goes straight to 'his' couch near the front door and puts his front legs on the armrest where he waits until I am gone out the door.  We call it his perch.  I am teaching him to jump to prepare him for agility and now when I say jump he leaps about six foot in the air!  I think if I was a proper trainer or took him to lots more classes he would be a super obedient dog but alas I have not the time nor the patience!

[Pat and Traveler]

Isn't it amazing what Riley has learned all on his own!  I'm really impressed that he distinguishes what (or who) he should find.  And jump!  Wow!  I've thought sometimes that it's a shame Trav didn't get hooked up with somebody who could really explore his potential.  I think he could be a fantastic rescue dog as he will search patiently for as long as it takes to 'find the (hidden) fox.'  Oh, well.  He has a comfy life, and is really bonded to his mom.  :)

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

These doodles are so smart!  Jennifer, it's awesome that Jack will help you find your phone!  I lose mine so much...I HAVE to teach Bexter and Maggie that one!  They know "Go to your crate," and now we have to spell "c-r-a-t-e" if we are just talking about it & not having them go there.  Otherwise, they just run right on in them!  Very cute!  Bexter knows "drop it," although he doesn't always comply!  They both know, "Do you want to go?" when we are leaving to go somewhere.  They both get so excited, running in circles, and wagging those tails.  Bexter knows, "Where is your ball?"  because he LOVES to play ball.  They both know, "Do you have to go out" and will stand by the back door waiting.  They also know the basic commands too.  Bexter knows "Go potty" and will go quickly on command.  Maggie hardly ever goes potty!

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

Murphy knows lots of words and phrases.  If I say "where;s your frisbee?"  he finds it.  "red bone", gets his stuffed red bone. "wanna go to granny's house?".....he  barks and does a litle dance. "wanna go to the lake?" he goes crazy barking and whining.   If we ask him where something is and he can't find it we will say "hunt" and he will continue looking until we stop saying hunt or he finds the toy we are asking him to find.  Both boys know "ready for a bedtime cookie?" If I say it they both run up to bed.

 

I have to believe this was just coincidence but we were at my mom's house and Murph had just gone potty..I said "murph, I don't think your butt is clean" and he right that second dropped and dragged his butt on my mom's rug.  Good thing she thought he was brilliant...kept her from being mad about the rug!

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Oh dear : )

[Pat and Traveler]

Two smart doods!  Traci, I wish Trav would go potty on command.  It would be great to have him take care of business before I leave him for 4-5 hours, but he's too worried about getting left behind to take care of business.

[Shelby and Kev]

Totally!  Very much from putting on shoes to which way we walk.  Anything food, I mean anything and my favorites and most of hers are, Squirrel, Lizards and Birds!!

[Pat and Traveler]

Shelby, your dood obviously pays very close attention to what you do.  Hmmmm...you have enough lizards for them to know what they are...yikes!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I don't know how much they understand, which I suspect is a whole heck of a lot, but I do know they are terrific listeners and I talk to them all day. I tell them about my day, ask them for their advise on issues, discuss finances and the weather and what the kids are doing and tons more. They help me cook and clean up as they are great taste-testers,( I know it's really bad if they turn their noses up at it. So far they like all I cook) They always stay right near me, looking at me, responding at appropriate moments and tails wagging, which I take as total signs of understanding and approval. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.

[Pat and Traveler]

Sweet, Sue.  I talk to Trav too, and also discuss many weighty issues and appreciate his assistance while cleaning and cooking.  He pays very close attention to what I say, even if he doesn't understand every bit of it.  :)