I talk to my dogs..a lot! There are those that believe dogs can’t understand anything you say. Silly humans. My dogs have a lengthy vocabulary including words and phrases such as: cookies, who wants a tushy bone, want to go for a ride, want to go for a walk, that is NOT an outside toy, NO and the usual boring stuff that we all marvel over: sit, down, shake a paw, stay off the couch (we can dream) and I’m sure you can add to this extensive list.  

My Neighbors Grand Dog Dialogues

Take my neighbor, for example, who looks after her “grand-dog,” Ace, while her son is at work. She doesn’t just toss him a few words here and there; she engages him in complete sentences. Watching her explain her day’s plans to Ace as if briefing a colleague is both heartwarming and hilariously serious. “I told you, Grandma had to go to town for groceries. Do you remember?” she would ask, as if expecting Ace to nod and jot down a reminder on his paw pad.

Barkology 101

Then there’s the language of barks, a communication form any dog owner is all too familiar with. Brandy has a range of barks. There’s the short, sharp yap that alerts Beau, to potential backyard intruders (real or imagined). This is the canine equivalent of “Heads up!” and it sends Beau racing to assess the situation with all the seriousness of a four-legged security guard. There isn’t usually anything but it sure gets him to move.

Occasionally, Brandy emits a guttural, almost demonic bark that would fit right into a horror movie—yes, that’s the Exorcist reference for my fellow generational peers. This isn’t just a bark; it’s an all-out alarm, suggesting an imminent apocalypse or perhaps just a squirrel on the fence.

And let’s not forget the playful yaps, a series of high-pitched notes that usually mean, “Hey, let’s play chase!” These are often followed by the sound of thundering paws as Beau decides whether to entertain his little sister or retreat to the quiet sanctuary of the indoors. Little sisters can be annoying but Beau loves Brandy..

Whispered Secrets and Tushy Bones

Despite their apparent disregard for detailed instructions, I know they understand more than they let on. Whisper the words “doggie daycare,” and Brandy’s ears perk up from a sound sleep, each ear pointed in a different direction as if tuning into her favorite radio stations. Did I mention that my husband thinks it’s endearing to say Brandy has f***ed up ears? And then there’s the magical phrase “tushy bones.” No matter how softly spoken, these words trigger an immediate, enthusiastic response. Beau starts performing his signature trick, the Big Spin, while Brandy gets up close and personal, invading my personal space as if she’s trying to meld into my very being. For those new to my columns, Earth Animal No Hide Chews are rawhide free bones that my dogs love and I love that they are easily digestible unlike rawhide. I’ll give a shout out to anyone that can rationalize how I came up with this name. I tend to never call people, dogs or treats by their given name.

Brandy The Chewbacca

Brandy can also speak alien. Sometimes the noises that come out of her mouth are startling. She doesn’t bark, she kind of opens her mouth and sings. This comes in handy for morning stretches when we are still trying to sleep and her tail wagging or kissing me on the mouth hasn’t stirred me. She uses this a lot when traveling to doggie day care. I call these her Wookie calls.

The Dance of Understanding

Let’s face it: talking to your dog is part of the pet parent package, right alongside scooping poop. So, do dogs understand when we talk to them? Absolutely. They may not grasp every word, but they catch what they need. In this shared life, who is training whom might just be the biggest question of all. Feel free to share with me the different words that your dog speaks. I’d love to share and maybe Brandy & Beau can pick up a few new tricks!