Your dog can hear your voice on FaceTime, but they often don't understand it's you due to a lack of scent, distorted sound quality, and difficulty processing small, flickering screens, leading to confusion or disinterest rather than recognition, as they rely more on smell and real-life presence. While some dogs react to voices or movement, the absence of your full scent and the unnatural presentation on a device makes it hard for them to connect the audio to you, even though their hearing is excellent.
Dogs can hear your voice over the phone, they can also hear it from about 4-5x the distance than you can. Its probably confused as when it hears your voice it expects you to be there and not coming from a little box. As well as that, your smell is nowhere to be 'smelled'.
Their eyes are more attuned to motion. In fact, dogs take in visual information at least 25% faster than humans do. According to Dr. Stanley Coren, the problem is this higher flicker sensitivity renders dogs unable to pick out specific images in all those shifts in brightness and movement on the screen.
Based on my extensive 35 years of training all sorts of dogs, there are four main reasons why they won't listen to you: fear, confusion, distraction and choice. A solid grasp of these explanations will make your life as a dog owner that much easier.
Causes of deafness in dogs include birth defects, infection, trauma, obstructions, and old age. Certain breeds and white or merle-coated animals are more likely to be born deaf. Sadly, hearing loss due to genetics, old age, and trauma is often permanent and untreatable.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, representing 3 days (overwhelmed/hiding), 3 weeks (settling in/testing boundaries), and 3 months (feeling at home/bonding) to help owners manage expectations and provide patience, routine, and a calm environment, understanding that anxiety is normal as they decompress from a stressful past. It's a framework for recognizing stress and fostering trust, not a rigid timeline, but it helps owners understand why a new dog might seem timid or act out initially.
First and foremost, if your dog starts ignoring commands, it could be a clear sign of hearing loss. Dogs with deafness begin to lose the ability to hear high-pitched sounds first, so if it doesn't respond to a whistle, try attempting other sounds like claps or clicks while facing away from your pet.
A red flag dog behavior signals deep fear, stress, or potential aggression, going beyond normal misbehavior, and includes intense growling/snapping without cause, sudden aggression in a calm dog, persistent hiding, resource guarding (food aggression), freezing, destructive behavior linked to separation anxiety, or signs of extreme anxiety like trembling, lip-licking, and tail-tucking, indicating underlying problems needing professional intervention.
Dogs say "sorry" through submissive body language like tucking their tail, lowering their head, making "puppy eyes," licking, and rolling onto their backs to show they're not a threat, which are appeasement signals to diffuse tension after a conflict or misbehavior, often combined with whining or approaching and retreating. They recognize when their human (or another dog) is upset and use these signs to seek forgiveness, though it's more about reducing stress than human-like guilt.
Cobbing in dogs is a gentle nibbling behavior, often with the front teeth, resembling a human eating corn off a cob; it's usually a sign of affection, grooming, or a way to get attention, stemming from puppyhood bonding, but can also signal boredom or anxiety if excessive, and is generally harmless unless it becomes intense or painful.
To say "I love you" in dog language, use soft eye contact, raise your eyebrows, give gentle massages (especially ears), lean into them, and engage in play or shared activities like walks, which build trust and affection through shared experiences and physical connection, releasing oxytocin for both of you.
Generally, dogs dislike hugs, not being allowed to sniff, a lack of routine, and more. Even the most laid-back dog will hate some of the things we humans do—if they tolerate it, it's just because they love you or don't want to be dominant.
In conclusion, dogs are sensitive creatures that can remember and react to raised voices. While they don't hold grudges, repeated negative experiences can impact their behavior and emotional well-being. Understanding your dog's emotional states and body language is crucial for building a strong and loving relationship.
Dogs see best in shades of blue and yellow, as their vision is similar to humans with red-green color blindness, meaning reds and greens appear muted or brownish-gray, making blue and yellow toys stand out most clearly against grass and other backgrounds.
Some dogs may recognize their owners or be indifferent, but many are likely to find it confusing and stressful. The bottom line is that if your dog interacts with you over FaceTime, it is because they are interested in you, not the technology, of which they have no understanding.”
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, outlining three phases: 3 Days (decompression, feeling overwhelmed/scared), 3 Weeks (starting to settle in, learning routine, personality emerges), and 3 Months (feeling secure, bonded, and truly at home). It helps new owners manage expectations and be patient as their rescue dog transitions, emphasizing calm energy, routine, and space in the early days to build trust.
An hour for a dog feels much longer than an hour for a human because dogs perceive time more slowly due to their faster metabolism and heightened awareness of routines, so a 10-minute wait can feel like 70 minutes to them, and your hour-long absence feels like an eternity, though they don't grasp clock time but rather the intervals between events like meals, walks, and your return.
Dogs say "sorry" through submissive body language like tucking their tail, lowering their head, making "puppy eyes," licking, and rolling onto their backs to show they're not a threat, which are appeasement signals to diffuse tension after a conflict or misbehavior, often combined with whining or approaching and retreating. They recognize when their human (or another dog) is upset and use these signs to seek forgiveness, though it's more about reducing stress than human-like guilt.
"Silent killer" in dogs usually refers to deadly diseases that progress with few early symptoms, primarily Heartworm, Hemangiosarcoma (a type of cancer), and sometimes Leptospirosis or Canine Parvovirus, all characterized by vague initial signs, rapid progression, and severe organ damage, making prevention and early detection crucial.
Adolescence marks the change from being a puppy to becoming an adult. In dogs, it can start any time between six and 12 months and can end between 18 and 24 months. During this time, there are dramatic hormonal changes and a reorganisation of the brain.
Signs Your Dog is Stressed and How to Relieve It
You can tell if a dog is sad by noticing changes in behavior, body language, and energy, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, hiding, lack of interest in play, a low or tucked tail, flattened ears, excessive licking/pacing, or increased inappropriate urination, all signaling potential depression or unhappiness that often requires a vet visit to rule out medical issues.
So, is it possible for dogs to talk? Unfortunately, everything we know points to no. They may try with growls and barks, and they may even be able to mimic words you've taught them.
It is also one of the most common health issues in older dogs. This geriatric-onset hearing loss is also known as presbycusis and tends to occur very gradually. This means that if your senior canine should suddenly lose his or her ability to hear, it is a good idea to look for other causes of acquired deafness.