Over the past 4 years I have had to learn to communicate with my family. But they are a bit slow on the uptake at understanding me at times. They just don’t understand my barks. It’s like I am talking a different language!
I often bark and they look at me and say, ‘I don’t know what you want.’ Do they think I am barking for nothing? (editor – see chapter 2 in the previous newsletter!). I bark to get my toys, I bark to go out, I bark to get fed. It’s not all that complicated.
There was one evening recently where I barked beside my toy box and Alan (dad) took every toy out, which I sniffed, and he was a bit huffy when I didn’t want any of them. I was only barking for a treat, not a toy, sheesh, will he ever learn.
I have taken the time to learn their words though. So, I know walk, ball, treat, tea, breakfast, and lunch. I can respond to any of these with no bother at all. I am supposed to know stay, leave, down, and no, but I sometimes forget (well pretend to forget) what these words mean. If they don’t understand my barks….well…..Idon’t have to always understand them.
They think they are being smart at time too. Recently they have stopped saying ‘tea’ as every time they mention a cup of tea, of their tea, I think they are meaning my tea. Even though I’vealready had my tea. So, now they are talking about ‘Dexy’s food intake’ instead of tea. But I have already cottoned on to that one! Right, enough from me….I’m off to bark and see if they understand this time.
The moral of this tail is………..Trying to understand what someone is really saying is key. If someone doesn’t understand what you are barking for, it’s important to think why that is, rather than just keep barking. Sometimes we have to learn to bark so they understand. If I want to go out, I can’t just bark. I need to stand at the back door and bark. Then everyone is clear.
If we don’t act, we can end up with a mess on the carpet, and nobody wants that!