Q&A for How to Communicate with Animals

As humans, we tend to think of communication as 'speech' or 'language'. Whereas, communication is much more complex and involves body language and social signals. We can most definitely communicate with animals, and them with us, but this involves understanding the signals they send us and responding in a way that makes sense to them.

Interestingly, it's thought that many cetaceans, such as whales and dolphins, communicate via sound signals or 'speech'. This is to the point that some marine biologists have identified regional subtilties in these vocal sounds that vary depending on the region, and to all the world are like accents.

Animals don't so much understand the words of language, but the tone of how the words are spoken. They also use other signals, such as body language, to get their message across. It is absolutely possible to communicate with animals, but the use of speech or language is a relatively minor part.

It depends if the peeing is territorial or a lack of potty training. In an entire male dog, consider getting him neutered as well as potty training. To stop the peeing you need to eliminate any lingering urine odor that would draw him back to a "toilet" spot. In addition, take him outside to toilet every hour, stay with him, and give a reward when he toilets outdoors. Back inside, watch him constantly (keeping him on a lead helps) or pop him in a crate for short times. If he shows signs of urinating such as sniffing furniture, then take him straight outside.

Yes. The purr is a wonderful thing that not only shows pleasure but communicates a range of other emotions. Cats will purr to comfort themselves, hence sick or injured cats sometimes purr in order to reassure themselves. Likewise a cat that is conflicted or anxious may purr, as a means to escape inner tension.

Communicating with animals means understanding life from the pet's point of view. This comes down to having a knowledge of animal psychology and learning how to read their body language.