How to Communicate With Puppies

Properly communicating with your puppy can be the difference between having a well-behaved dog and one with behavioral issues. Dogs mostly communicate through sounds and body language. To help your puppy understand what you want her to do, be consistent and firm and use short commands.

Things You'll Need

  • Puppy treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Observe your puppy's body language to find out what she's trying to tell you. Look for signs such as yawning, which can indicate tiredness or anxiety. Understand that tail-wagging doesn't always mean your puppy is happy; she may feel threatened and is sending out a warning.

    • 2

      Listen to the sounds your puppy makes to comprehend what she's trying to convey. If your puppy howls, she may be lonely. Growling can indicate anger, and whimpering can be a sign that your puppy is scared.

    • 3

      Use the same commands when communicating with your puppy. Avoid using different commands for the same action, because this can confuse your puppy. Keep your commands short. "Sit," "Stay," "Come" and "Stop" are all good to use.

    • 4

      Reward and praise your puppy each time she does what you tell her to. Avoid rewarding your puppy long after the fact, since she won't understand why she's being praised and rewarded.

    • 5

      Avoid sending mixed messages when disciplining your puppy. Be serious and firm; don't smile and pick up your puppy, since this reinforces bad behavior.