re: #291 Salamantis

Yeah, but you have to train them to look at you for the gesture. Verbal cues are traditionally combined with gestures to begin with, so the dog hears you, turns to look at you, and learns to associate the two. I have no doubt that some dogs can be trained without using speech at all, but I also have no doubt that it is quantums more difficult to do so.

And it certainly would not be of any use in out of line of sight communication.

In my experience the dog will instinctively look to you for clues. He really does want to do the right thing for you if you have been good to him. Sound will reinforce for sure, but I can get equal results by pointing or nodding. Dogs are amazing in their ability to interpret these simple clues.

I once made a bet (drinking of course) that I could make my dog do anything in reason without saying a word. Friend said make him jump in the bathtub. I looked at the dog, he looked at me, and I nodded in the direction I wanted him to go. He did, when in the bathroom he looked at me again and I nodded towards the tub. He immediately jumped in it.

Not one word. Not practiced. Dogs are very cool.