The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs

by Patricia B. McConnell

The general rule is to use short, repeated notes to encourage activity and one single note to discourage it. Let’s say you want your dog to come when you call. Perhaps because so many of us see this as an exercise in “obedience” (translation: a test of our authority), many humans belt out the word come like a marine drill sergeant. If I tape-recorded the sound and analyzed it, it would look exactly like the sounds made around the world to stop animals. You could substitute any combination of letters, and you would still have a single sharp, short note that replicates the “Whoa!” and “Ho” that I heard from sixteen different language groups to keep an animal from moving. I’m always amused when an owner belts out “Come” in one loud, low command. Some of the dogs do indeed come, although some do with heads down and tails tucked, because you can eventually override biology with enough training. But why work so hard? Use a sound that inherently encourages your dog rather than discourages him and training will be more effective and, as important, more fun.