When issuing dog training commands, what you say is no more important than how you say it. Dogs respond to your tone of voice as much as anything you say. They can sense when you are angry and when you are happy, even if they do not recognize your words. If you want your dog to really learn from what you say, your tone must match the message.

Your dog is more likely to come to you when you call him with affection and exuberance. If you sound angry, he may even ignore your call. This is especially true if you train him with a happy voice, which is recommended. From your dog's training experience, he knows that friendly voice of yours means he will benefit from obeying. After all, whenever he listens, he is rewarded with treats, pats on the head, or attention. When you are angry, the harsh inflection probably reminds him of a time he was in trouble. As always, think of this from the dog's perspective. Why come when all you will receive is a scolding?

Similarly, when you need to scold your dog or discourage him from doing something, do so in a strong voice that conveys your displeasure. This is often difficult for women who have high-pitched voices. A dog who has been trained by a man with a deep voice may simply wag his tail when the man's sweet wife calls him a "bad dog." If you have a high voice, try lowering it when saying, "No," or, "Bad." He needs to know you are upset.

Give Dog Obedience Commands in a Natural Voice
When initially training your dog, get used to speaking at a comfortable volume. Do not raise your voice to get your point across. No matter what you say or how loudly you say it during those initial training sessions, your dog will not understand you. By speaking loudly, you condition the dog to obey loud commands. He might not listen when you speak regularly. If you are going to own a dog for more than a decade, it is best for you, the dog, and everyone else in the house that you do not have to yell to issue commands. Your dog obedience commands need to be consistent throughout the dog's life.