To train your dog, you should prioritize adjusting your body posture and emotional stability rather than relying solely on oral cues, as canines decode our non-verbal language as a priority.

noli's read

Research widely validates the fact that dogs prioritize decoding our non-verbal language. An experimental study published in Biology Letters (2016) by Dr. Kun Guo confirms that canines abstractly integrate physical expressions to evaluate our emotions. Observations in behavioral psychology also show that visual cues often outweigh verbal commands during learning (the overshadowing effect). Regarding emotional stability, an observational and biological study from Linköping University (by Ann-Sofie Sundman, 2019) revealed that dogs' stress levels (cortisol) synchronize directly with those of their owners over the long term. Furthermore, a 2024 physiological study published in Scientific Reports demonstrates that heart rate variability—a key marker of relaxation—also synchronizes between human and dog during interactions. While the mention of bodily 'energy' is metaphorical, the impact of our own emotional and postural regulation is a firmly established biological fact. In short, behavioral and biological science supports the idea that a calm and physically consistent owner will obtain better attention from their companion.

the sources

1. 1Lauersen JB et al. 2014
2. 2Wang XQ, Zheng JJ, Yu ZW, et al. 2012
3. 3Podcast Notes (podcastnotes.org)