06/26/2026
We all talk to our dogs but did you know that by using purposeful verbal narration including certain key phrases or words, you can help your dog navigate our world? Consciously labeling things helps our dogs predict what is coming next, which eases their anxiety. Dogs have the receptive language ability of a toddler so like toddlers, even though they may not be able to express their thoughts verbally, they do understand an astounding percentage of what people say. Telling a dog what is happening around them, builds their confidence. Dogs are constantly working hard to figure out what is going on around them. We can lessen their load by explaining life as it unfolds. The key is that the oft-repeated words must be relevant to the dog. This helps the dog prepare for what is coming next. It is up to you to determine what words and phrases might be helpful to you and your dog. Once you do, you can use them to reduce anxiety by communicating to your dog that 1) you see it too and 2) it will not affect either of you at all. For example, you might use “big truck” for a noisy delivery truck or “neighbor” for any person you see walking or running nearby. Then the next time you see a person approaching you on a walk, you can say in a cheerful voice “It’s okay. It’s just a neighbor.” Hearing that, your dog can relax and enjoy your walk. Intentional, consistent, predictive narration creates calmer dogs. Try it and see!
