The Old Trainer: Maltese is using doggy mind-reading tricks

DEAR OLD TRAINER: Daisy, my 2-year old Maltese has always been smart, but lately it seems like she is reading my mind. She knows in advance when we are going somewhere in the car. She knows when I am going to give her a bath and hides under the bed before I ever call her. She knows we are going for a walk before I ever get my shoes out of the closet. Is she reading my mind? How does she do it?

Jenna, Merced

DEAR JENNA: Daisy is using the canine form of mind-reading. Dogs read body language like you or I read a book. They remember the exact sequence of movements you make – and the words you say – before you do something they like or dislike, and they never forget it.

You may have a hundred things that interest you, but Daisy has only one interest – watching you and memorizing every thing you say and do. She then uses that knowledge to make sure you include her on activities she likes. Or to avoid things, like getting a bath, she dislikes. Dogs are so smart they learn words like “walk” and “car” and “bath” and “nap” and dozens of others merely because the human they love says them.

All dogs do it. It is the foundation of Indirect Training, the art of training merely by saying a word while going about your daily routine and letting the dog figure out the word applies to the action you take.

Daisy trains herself even when you are not training her. You no longer notice the sequence you follow before leaving in the car – going to the closet for your coat, checking your purse for your keys, turning off the light, etc., but it tells Daisy what you are doing in an instant.

That’s why Indirect Training works so well. Readers of this column know my favorite Indirect Training trick. When you reverse course on your daily walk just say “turn around,” and start walking the other way. Ignore Daisy. In a couple of days she will automatically turn when she hears the words.

It works with anything else you want to teach her as well. This is an effortless way of training, so use a command for anything you do with your dog. They will learn it on their own.

Another way to utilize this talent is observing Daisy’s reaction to other people. She watches any stranger who comes near you as intently as she watches you and reads them with the same ease. She watches even when you are distracted or out of the room, and is not swayed by charm or smooth talk.

If a dog dislikes someone there is a reason. I never form an opinion of anyone until I see how my dogs react. Other animals may equal dogs in some areas of intelligence, but no animal comes close to the dog in understanding the human intent to communicate.

In addition to Daisy learning how you communicate, she is constantly trying to communicate with you. Watch her as closely as she watches you, and you will be surprised at the ways she invents to talk to you.

This story was originally published March 6, 2015 at 4:00 PM with the headline "The Old Trainer: Maltese is using doggy mind-reading tricks."