COMMUNICATION:
Dogs can communicate in a variety of interesting ways. They often have a pretty good sense of humor, and are often caught in lies and deception.
Dogs need not be as obvious as to bark to make known their wishes. Sometimes growling may only be an effort at vocalization, with no malice intended.
Subtle attempts, like maybe a shuffle of feet, a wrinkle on the face or brow, panting or chatter of teeth, in the dogs mind, are clear-cut messages.
Take notice and he will do the rest.
He will be consistent, although the same signals/signs/gestures may apply to several needs.
EXAMPLE:
Your dog chatters his teeth.
Look at him and say, “good boy, what do you want?”
He may say; “It’s about time you noticed me!”
SOLUTION:
Ignore his sarcasm.
Ask if he wants to do this, that, or the other thing, and when he gives a big sigh, DO IT!
I’ve quoted other dog trainers and authors on dog behavior in the misstatement that “dogs don’t think.”
In light of the fact that I’ve also have quoted and subverted most of their training techniques as nonsensical and ineffective, let’s not get boggled down in semantics.
My philosophy is based on experience and observation:
The abilities to think, rationalize and solve problems are learned qualities.
By challenging our dogs to think, they develop the areas of the brain where thinking, rationalizing and solving problems occur.