Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Sign Language

Dogs don't have a spoken language. Sure, there's the various growls, barks and whines but it's not a language, per se. They use body language - bared teeth, exposed stomach - when they really want to get a message across.

In training, every command Nala learned was accompanied by a hand signal. Sit, down, stay, shake all had their own distinct signals. Because this is closer to natural dog communication than English is, she (like other dogs) picked up the signals much quicker than the words. Even now, months after graduation, she responds quicker to a visual cue than a verbal one.

For a while, we had a hard time with Nala jumping on us as we got home. Not only is she huge now - her paws come almost to my neck when she stands - but she sheds ridiculously. (That's one drawback to the Lab side of her.) We tried using the command "off" that our trainer used as we pushed her paws off, to no avail. So we tried building off of what she already knows.

First, we added in "sit" with the hand signal to "off." It got her in the habit of sitting once we got in, but not until after she had already jumped on us. Not quite effective, but better than multiple jumps.

Then I decided to try adding a hand signal to "off." I held up my elbow, hand reaching towards my other arm, with my forearm a few inches from my torso. This physically blocked her from jumping on me plus bought me a few seconds to give the command for "sit."

IT WORKED!!

Not right away, of course, but within a few weeks! She has stopped jumping on us as we walk in the door (her muted little hops are adorable) and with just a hand signal, sits down to wait for a greeting. No more dog hair on work clothes! Ok, not none, but less is good too.

We've also added in another expectation: she does not get a full greeting until we call her. This gives us a chance to change into casual clothes before the full-on hugs and bellyrub. So now when we walk in, she runs up, hops, sits down, gets a short pet, runs ahead... and waits. Then it's playtime.

Pretty impressive, if I may say so myself!

Photo credit "T" altered art