Second Collar Training - Voice

From an early age you have used human language to communicate. It would be unrealistic to expect you to abandon the use of words and language easily to communicate as a pup. It is truly a challenge to communicate effectively as a pup without language. Non verbal communication, body language, is a strength of pup communication, and lessons in the Second and Third collar will help with that. This lesson here in Second Collar Voice will teach you to speak a kind of baby pup talk. Using your voice as a pup is important, so long as you use the words you learn here. Don't be shy, be loud. Whenever you use the words be loud, be very vocal. You will learn them better, and subtlety in tone can come later. 

There are plenty of situations where a "woof" won't do

It may be that you have seen some words in use by pups online, words such as "arf", "woof", "ahrroo", and "ruff". There is no official pup dictionary, so what those words mean is really up to who uses them and reads them. Now we will establish a pup lexicon of words, a language for you to use in training. The words you will learn will have a specific meaning only to you, your Owner and Trainer, and the Sirius Pack. Each word has been chosen to help sound pup like, animal like, and not be able to be mistaken for a human word. A couple of activity exercises follows the first words you learn. 

There are over a dozen pup words to learn, but for your Second Collar you need only know six. Click on the word title below to open an accompanying video which will demonstrate the word - be mindful we are Australians, with a distinct accent. For your own happiness it is best to shape the sound of the word to suit your native accent.

Yip / Yelp. You can say either. It means you are surprised by something, or in discomfort. You should use this word to let your Owner and Trainer know that what's being inserted into your arse is uncomfortable and to please go slower but not stop. You use this word when you are surprised by cold water being splashed on you or another pup leaping out from behind something in play. It's all about being a little shocked or surprised, being uncomfortable but not hurt or in pain. 
Grrrr. More of a sound than a word, you use this word when you feel threatened, or when you are suspicious. It lets everyone know you are feeling hostile and opposed to what is going on. it is not a fighting word, not an insult. It is simply a warning that you are feeling threatened and suspicious so others should take care with you.
Snort. This is definitely a sound rather than a word, but it may not always be easy for every pup to literally "snort" like a pig. Like Grrr, this is more of a sound made than a word spoken, but if you cannot make the sound easily then speak it as a word. It still works. This word/sound indicates you are comfortable and relaxed. 
Arf. You make this sound, say this word when you are happy and joyful. Use this word to show you aren't simply comfortable, you are thoroughly enjoying what is happening and want more.
Ahroo / Awroo. This is a cry out like sound, almost like a howl. You use this word when you are upset or anxious. It can signal that you feel separated from the pack or your Owner, or simply that you are distressed.

Rawr / Roar. This is a vocalisation of the word for roar in english, and it does not mean what the english word means. You use this word, make this sound, when you want to say "I love you", or to simply show affection. It indicates you are feeling love and care towards whom you are growling to. 

Now that you have some words, you need to practice using them. Only by actually speaking them aloud regularly will they become second nature to you. So, you must follow two activites pup to practice and learn that pup speech.

Firstly, every second day at least, spend a few minutes alone, preferably in front of the mirror, saying each word aloud. Try using different tones till the word sounds right to how it is supposed to feel when you say it. Will you feel foolish saying Yip in front of the mirror? Yes, you will. But after many times it will not feel foolish, and when you need to use it during training it will come naturally and not feel forced. 

The second activity is to try and insert the words into your day, in a common everyday way. Does it feel cold when you step outside to go to work? Perfect chance to say Yip. Really enjoying the meal you are eating?  Perfect opportunity to Snort. Like many exercises, use discretion and common sense when with others - gran does not want to hear you Grrr at her.

Exercises for your Voice

To help you make pup sounds, here are a few exercises you can do to help produce these unfamiliar sounds.

Jaw - focusing on your jaw, wiggle only it, moving your jaw from side to side, up and down, forward and backward till your jaw moves easily. Be careful not to jerk your jaw around.

Tongue - stick your tongue out then withdraw it back in, repeating  this often. After that, protrude your tongue out as far as possible and rotate it in both directions. Try to touch the tip of your nose with the tip of your tongue, the try pointing your tongue at your chin. Do all these actions for a few minutes until your tongue aches a little.

Jaw and Tongue - now with your jaw in a comfortable open position, move your tongue, using it to lightly and firmly touch the hard palate just above your upper teeth. Then move your tongue down to touch the back of your lower teeth, using only the tip of your tongue. Change from one to the other rapidly as possible, while keeping your jaw relaxed.