The bond we establish with our pets, especially with dogs, is, above all, emotional. So much so that dogs can change their mood around humans. If they notice us sad, they will be sad. If they notice us happy, they will be … further. A few weeks ago the University of La Rioja offered the workshop ‘Emotional well-being with your pet’ to students, teachers and administrative staff in order to improve the quality of life and communication with the domestic animal.
And, in general, we communicate poorly with our dog, believing that just because we have taught him to sit or give his paw, they already understand us. «The dog doesn’t care if you say ‘sit’ or ‘bologna’, he associates a sound with a behavior that has a reward. Normally we speak badly to them, with a lot of information, as we speak among people, when we should be more ‘black and white’,” warns Ana Rodríguez, canine educator from Dejando Huella and who taught the UR workshop. “There may be a social environment in which the dog can understand us if we address him, but we must be more specific if we want something,” says Ana Rodríguez.
“The dog doesn’t care if you tell him ‘sit’, he associates a sound with a behavior that has a reward”
Ana Rodriguez
Leaving a mark
«I have discovered that dogs only see in blue and yellow, which has caught my attention»
Agatha Amilburu
Mathematics student
«Now I understand that each owner must be interested in knowing and communicating with their dog»
Elena Undiano
English Studies Student
In fact, although humans communicate, above all, verbally, with dogs body language is more significant. The tone with which we speak also influences, even when humans hear a language that we do not understand, it helps us understand the message. “Constantly telling the dog ‘no’ is not effective, however, if at any given moment he is going to go up to the table for a steak, you have to be blunt and say ‘no’. The dog understands that,” explains Rodríguez.
“Body language can reinforce, a movement of the body can be a signal for them,” explains Rodríguez. But communication has two directions and the human must also understand the animal, know how to read its signals, some as common as scratching as a sign of nervousness or yawning as a symptom of boredom.
«If we live in the city, we probably do not realize how hostile it can be for dogs, full of strong and unpleasant smells and noises, something that, like rapid movements, stresses them, and they transmit that stress to us. Or the other way around,” explains Rodríguez. That is why something as seemingly banal as the way we hold the leash is very important. Through it, as if it were an umbilical cord, we can transmit insecurity, nervousness or calm, depending on how we hold it, whether with tension or firm delicacy.
Elena Undiano, an English Studies student and owner of two cats, signed up for the workshop because of her desire to have and get to know dogs. “Now I understand that every owner should be interested in knowing and communicating with their dog,” Elena acknowledged. And Ágatha Amilburu, a student studying Mathematics and Computer Engineering, came with her dog Ona to learn. “I have discovered that dogs only see in blue and yellow, which has caught my attention,” acknowledged Ágatha Amilburu.
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