LESS IS MORE
For Dogs, Less Talk Equals More (Desired) Action.
Pointing Dog Journal I Spring 2025
By Jack Hutson
Does anyone remember any of the old Charlie Brown television specials? Anytime an adult – usually his teacher - spoke to Charlie, it came out in nasally garbled trumpet tones - “wha-wha-wha!” It was felt that the additional dialog would be an undesirable distraction and better left to the main character to convey the message. Well, that’s basically what a dog gets out of lengthy verbal expressions, “wha-wha – come – wha-wha”!
As another example, let’s consider a detective or spy thriller. During the course of the movie there will be the part where the bad guy has the hero in his clutches. At this point, the bad guy will attempt to talk the hero to death! Sometimes this drags-on to a comical extent; to the point where you want to say, “Just shoot him, already!”
Well, among the malpractices applied toward dogs by dog owners, after inconsistency, chattiness is likely the most observed. In college classes, my lectures had to describe and explain, as completely as possible, concepts new to young minds. Descriptions and demonstration are often the best way to disseminate information amongst human beings. It seems that people naturally tend toward this practice with their dog.
During gun dog training sessions, a typical example of poor command usage would go something like this: “Hey, whoa! Where are you going?! Get back here! - Heel”! This is no exaggeration; I hear phrases like this used on dogs quite commonly. There are at least two terms that could be commands within this monologue. Filled with varying words and phrases, how can the dog be expected to pick out the key command sprinkled amongst the gibberish?
So many folks feel the urge to explain concepts, verbally. Perhaps it is the desire to find the term or phrase that finally triggers the desirable response? Like how some folks become programed by their children to go into long tirades when provoked. “Get over here! If you don’t get over here right now! I’m going to count to three! One…!” The child will most often wait until two-and-a-half before responding and, where dogs are concerned, they become desensitized to the point where they only respond to yelling.
Yelling commands isn’t desirable, in fact, you don’t have to use real words at all to get something across to your dog. For example, I will use “Auhh!” when my dog shows that it’s about to screw up. Dogs seemed to respond quicker and more appropriately to this “growl” than using “No!” or “Stop!” as a command. By using simple whistle commands, one blast or two, dogs can learn that these signals have a meaning and seem to respond more reliably than calling out commands in the field. However, like using long phrases, the same whistle cadence in a whistled melody would be lost.
Now, I admit, I am guilty of talking too much to my dogs in the field, as well. When they re-appear from thick cover I say “Hi Fido – Good dog!” or when they doddle, I will often say, “Let’s go – hunt’em up!” These are phrases that provide encouragement but are not specific commands. The dogs have learned to generally ignore this commentary or accept them as confidence builders. Which is my intent. When it comes to an actual command, they get one signal – voice or whistle. Clear, direct, and to the point.
Dogs are fantastic observers. They perceive messages your body language and the tone of your voice are sending while you’re probably not even aware they are sent. What is sometimes referred to as “body language,” dogs generally use posturing with some verbal to reinforce messages. Humans have developed very intricate verbal messaging systems, adding body language and tone secondarily to reinforce. For dogs, if the key motivation for the message isn’t understood, the body language and tone – often similar in various situations – often goes misunderstood, as well.
“Sure, when you put it that way, it sounds easy,” you say? But, for many of us, it’s not. It takes practice and it begins by erasing the tendency to plead to our dog. As puppies, we would cajole with excited voice and animated gestures then, when they finally arrived, wriggle and rub them about while praising them extensively. And that works, for a while. Over time, there should have been a transformation from coaxing to command.
You tried that but it didn’t seem to work? Well, the tone and words may have changed but the overall practice may still be the same to the dog. Often, without notice, folks go from a practice of coaxing with a bunch of words and actions to commanding with a bunch of words and actions. To the dog, it’s still coaxing and, for some of them, they’re over it!
It begins with a high-pitched and excited, “Come here, come on! Poopsie, come here”! and, as the dog gets older, transforms into a gravelly serious, “Come, here! Here! Darn it Fido, get over here”! When you think about it, the dog still hears pleading but with an angry tone. It may be confusing but it’s not very welcoming, for sure!
And, if the puppy hadn’t learned along the way that the key word, “Come!” or “Here!” required a specific action from him, the dog isn’t likely to just pick it up along the way. Now, before I continue, I should say that these commands work much better when the dog has learned that complying to them is generally enjoyable. That, with Fido’s (immediate) compliance, there is a reward, something that makes him happy. There are several practices that will develop the response you want from your dog but none of them include lines of dialog.
I believe the German architect, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, is credited with the phrase, “Less is more.” He was referring to a minimalistic concept that emphasized space, rather than the clutter of items within. For our purposes, this paradox simply finds quality in less quantity – better understanding in brevity than in verbosity. Of course, as we have seen, words may not even be required at all.
With the use of (consistent) one-word commands, in a consistent tone, you not only make it easier for the dog to get the message, you will increase your ability to read your dog’s response as well. Think about it. If you gave one-word commands and your dog has consistently shown that it understands their meaning, then, if the dog doesn’t comply, it may be disobeying (or not hearing). You can eliminate that your dog is not just misunderstanding the command.
Again, treating (or communicating with) your dog like a dog will take you miles further and faster than trying the other way ‘round. So, the secrets out, when it comes to canine communication - Less is More.
