Smart Dog

If you look at social media you might have seen dogs who communicate with humans through the use of buttons they step on that speak words. It is so amazing how a dog chooses from over 83 words to say, “leash outside.” I watched as the dog parent pushed on the words, “water outside now.” And the dog went a lay down understanding that water meant it was raining. So 15 minutes after the rain ended the dog pushed “no water.” And the parent got the leash and they went outside.

Shay does not have a word button board, but there are plenty of words she understands, like go, car and chicken. But Shay also uses body language to communicate with us. Her normal dinner is kibble, some chicken and after she has eat the chicken off the kibble she gets cheese in two servings.

Sometimes she is still hungry and she wants more cheese. She has a stance she does on her bed while she sticks her tongue out for just a second indicating, “I need more cheese.” If we don’t respond she sticks her tongue out again, while holding the stance of one leg in front of another.

We pour a little shredded cheese in her bowl and she goes over to eat and then will lie down on her bed indicating her satisfaction. It may not be the same as pushing a button, but we still know exactly what she wants and how to get it. Dogs are so smart.