I also love watching dogs interact – whether at my own home or at the dog park. There is so much that is conveyed between two dogs, and not much of it ever occurs in words (i.e., barks).

I think there is something to be said for the economy of dog communication, but as Edie mentioned, there is a lot that gets misunderstood. I wonder if we all tried to use more body language, and less talking, if there wouldn’t be the chance we would still misunderstood each other? Perhaps it’s our penchant for over-analyzing or for reading into people’s actions more than is really there that is our biggest problem. But, I am all for using less words if it works! 🙂

Thus unencumbered, it’s very easy for my dog to communicate with the simplest if gesture. Oh, if only I were a dog!

I have to confess I’ve sketched out more than one blog post while walking Honey. But I try to keep my posts short so I can have the idea and then move on to more important things–like watching out for squirrels.

I’m always amazed at how quickly dog body language flies around. I find looking at pictures after the fact is a great help. I just can’t respond fast enough to all the signals being flown.

My problem is that I am actually a big talker. But there’s something about outdoors that sends me a different message. Something like, “It’s time to be quiet now.”

Of course, finding a quiet place can be quite a trick. Especially with a Jack Russell in the house.

Dog sense is a good sense to have. I find I’m very slow to respond emotionally to people around me. So it’s very shocking on the rare (maybe once in my life) that I’ve instantly disliked someone.

It’s not that I like everyone. I just think it takes me so long to figure out if I like someone the opportunity to do anything about it is long gone. 🙂

I didn’t know you knew ASL. Very cool!

I remember being interpreted for a deaf student in one of my home buying classes. And, although I wasn’t the person using sign language, it did focus my words and expression in a way just teaching doesn’t. It was a very neat experience.

It’s it great how much dogs can teach us about communicating the more time we spend with them?

I also have a very noisy brain. And it’s the worst at 3:00 a.m. (although since I’ve started waking up at 5:00 a.m. to blog, I’m too tired to stay awake as long).

I’ve been working on focusing on Honey during a walk. I try to anticipate what she’s going to sniff up next. I watch her meandering path while she’s on a scent trail. Oh, and make bets with myself if she’ll spot the squirrel up ahead. I’m not always successful but it makes things more fun.

Unfortunately, it’s often human intervention that messes all the communication up. 🙂