Does your dog understand you?
By sulsisels
@sulsisels (1685)
United States
December 22, 2009 10:56pm CST
I often wonder if our dogs really understand what we are saying to them. My two seem to understand every word I say and respond to what I ask of them or tell them. I don't know if its just certain words that they get famaliar with or if they really understand that word. They also seem to understand me and my feelings. If I am feeling happy, so are they..If I am arguing with someone in the house or act sad so do they. I see the change in their personalities as the day goes on and it seems to be triggered by me. Both of them are vert attached to me and never leave my side. They are jealous of my attention both with each other and people which sometimes is a problem. My Irish Setter will not allow my husband to get in bed at night without first growling and showing his teeth until I tell him its ok..and its my husband, he lives in the house and they see him everyday of the week yet he can't get in bed..He gets relly mad and I have to turn my head so he dosent see me laugh cause I think its funny.But when I speak, they listen and they mimd..Does youd dog understand everything you say, or am I living in an illusion?
4 responses
@minx267 (15526)
• Hartford, Connecticut
23 Dec 09
Yes, My first 2 dogs were like that. We were so close and did everything together that we just understood each other.
No I have 4 and I think there are just too many to get that strong of a bond. They are young though and learning.
But My Ka'vik and T.K. were awesome. We walked nearly everywhere off leash. We went hiking in the woods and they would run up ahead but if there was a bend in the trail and they couldn't see me, they would stop and wait until I caught up.
Even as they got older My boy lost his hearing.. I was a little worried at first because when we walked he was usually a house or 2 ahead of us(me and T.K. -she was my little watch girl, but he was the protector of us both) But he knew what to do..
He cut his ahead space by about half and looked back at us all the time so that if I was ready to turn around and head home.. He would look back I would give him a hand signal and back he would come. Losing his hearing was more a problem for me than him. I was upset he couldn't her me telling him how much I loved him.
On a strange note with my T.K. - I had to spend the night at my moms one night and my roommate was home with the dogs.. As I lay on her couch I woke up, opened my eyes and saw my T.K. floating in between me and the TV..it was surreal, at first I thought I was dreaming.. but then I picked up my hand put it in front of my face.. nope- I'm awake.. but there was my little guardian.. I think she figured out astral projection and was checking on me.. She was always very psychic with me. - She would always KNOW when I was Thinking about giving her some of my food. It was strange and happened so often I started being conscience of myself - was I giving her a clue -some kind of body language.. Nope- I did things so many different ways but the second I thought about giving her what ever I had she would always get up from across the room and come over to me to get it. I never had to call her.. It was so weird.
@sulsisels (1685)
• United States
25 Dec 09
I love your story, It really touched me..Thanks for sharing it. Merry Christmas J
@Java09 (3075)
• United States
23 Dec 09
I have a Lhasa Apso,he really acts like he understands me.He always responds to what I say to him.Maybe dogs do understand their owners.My dog knows when I'm sad and he'll come over to me,as to cheer me up,and lick me.When I'm happy about something,he'll get playful and start running around the room.
1 person likes this
@sulsisels (1685)
• United States
25 Dec 09
Hi Java
I LOVE lhasas,,I had one for years and years. She was so smart it was scary. She was probably the most sensitive dog I've ever owned. When she left us my whole family went into mourning for weeks and weeks. We still miss her today. One of the funniest things she would do is when we took her to groomer, which was often as I'm sure I dont have to tell you, she would be so mad at us when she came home that she literally would ignore all of us for a good day or two. She would run into our bedroom, go under the bed and nothing brought her out. If we had her hair cut short, she refused to walk on her leash. It was as if she was embaressed of her new hair and we had to constantly tell her how pretty and beautiful she was. She would look so funny when she got her summer haircut but if you laughed at her, she knew it and, back under the bed she went..She was a loyal little dog and loved to ride in the car. People on the road would laugh and beep as she hung half way out the window. I had to hold onto her so tightly for fear she would fall out. She had no fear and trusted that I would keep her safe. I have a bichon now and an Irish setter that I rescued but it took a long time after my Lhasa passed for us to get another dog. Today, we love our rescues and they have become a huge part of our family. Thanks for bringing back great memories..Merry Christmas..J
@GardenGerty (169449)
• United States
23 Dec 09
I do not have dogs, but they do understand your words and your feelings.They are also sensitive to health problems as well. I agree, it is funny they still defend you from your husband.
@sulsisels (1685)
• United States
25 Dec 09
Merry Christmas GardenG..You should get a dog. They are such great company and bring so much love. It is a pleasure for me to have 2 dogs that love me unconditionally and I think everyone should have one if its possible. Right now, I'm sitting on the corner, mind you, of my bed and my two dogs are sprawled all over the pillows, My husband is sleeping on the couch!!! I've got presents for them in the morning,,pigs ears,,(yum yum) and 2 huge rawhide bones that I'm sure they will love. Get a Dog garden..its good for the heart and soul!! Wishes..J
@shadow41 (2351)
• Philippines
23 Dec 09
Yeah. Dogs understand us. Maybe not our words but they understand what we meant by our words. It's hard to explain but we have this very cute dog and she really can understand what we wanted her to do. But that's of course with the help of our sign or gestures. 
shadow41
shadow41@sulsisels (1685)
• United States
25 Dec 09
Hi Shadow,,I agree with you, I think they definately understand our body language and tone of voice has a lot to do with it. When I'm getting ready to go out, I actually tip toe around while getting ready cause they know I'm leaving and get real sad. I hate when they stare at me with those big brown eyes wanting to go but know they have to stay home. My husband and I sometimes have to whisper so they don't hear us if we are talking about eating, or leaving..Its too funny..Thanks for the post and Merry Christmas..J
