Another thing that might help when commincating with dogs (& cats) is to "run a video". That's what my friend, the Animal communicator, calls it. She says dogs & cats "think' in "pictures".
My husband & I used this method to begin a communication with our dogs. Decidedly, the poodle is more receptive than our sheltie, but she is smarter and not neurotic.....LOL. The poodle used to get very depressed when she "sensed" we were going to take a trip. She sensed this long before we started packing. Just thinking about a trip, seemed to be perceived by her. So we started telling her, by visualizing pictures in our heads, about when we would leave, where we were going, who would be here to take care of her and when we would be home. This has been fabulous. She has been so much better with our last three trips. Not depressed, a joy to her care-takers and she seems to know the day we are due home, by reports from the sitters.
Another hint from my friend is that dogs & cats don't understand "negatives”. Such as saying to the cat, "don't pee on the couch". They hear "pee on the couch". They do, and you are mad. This confuses them.
This has proven to be a challenge! Try talking in sentences with all positive words! It is a good exercise! LOL
Just another method that may work. Good luck, time spent on communicating with the pets is time well-spent!
RRS