Discussing Dog Behavior
Dog owners observe their dogs playing and comment on their behavior, potentially asking for or offering advice on training or common dog issues.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
well-behaved
This adjective describes someone or something, like a dog, that behaves correctly and follows rules without causing trouble. It's useful when complimenting pets or children in casual conversations.
pulling on the leash
This phrase means when a dog tugs or pulls hard on the rope (leash) while walking, making it hard for the owner to control. Common in dog training talks.
harness
A harness is a piece of equipment that goes around a dog's body, not just the neck, to help control pulling during walks. It's safer than a collar for strong dogs.
skeptical
If you're skeptical about something, you doubt it will work or be true. Use this word when expressing hesitation about advice or products.
redistributes
This verb means to change the way something, like pressure, is spread out. Here, it explains how a harness moves pulling force to make it less effective for the dog.
promising
Something promising sounds hopeful or likely to succeed. Use it to show interest in a suggestion, like new training methods.
habit
A habit is a regular behavior that someone or an animal does often, sometimes without thinking. It's useful for describing repeated actions in daily life.
consistent
Consistent means doing something the same way every time without changing. In training, it emphasizes the importance of steady practice for good results.
reward
To reward means to give something nice, like a treat, as a prize for good behavior. It's key in positive dog training to encourage repeats of actions.
paws
Paws are the feet of animals like dogs or cats. 'All four paws on the ground' means the dog is standing calmly without jumping.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Your dog, Buster, is so well-behaved!
This is a compliment using 'so' to emphasize the adjective 'well-behaved.' It's useful for starting friendly conversations at places like a dog park by praising someone's pet.
He used to be the same way.
'Used to' describes a past habit that has changed. This sentence shows empathy and shares experience, common when giving advice to others facing similar issues.
Have you ever considered one?
This is a polite question using the present perfect 'have you ever' to suggest an idea without pushing. Use it when recommending products or solutions gently.
I'm a bit skeptical.
'A bit' softens the doubt expressed by 'skeptical.' It's a natural way to express hesitation in discussions, helping keep the conversation open.
That sounds promising.
This response shows interest using 'sounds' for opinions on ideas. It's practical for reacting positively to suggestions in casual advice exchanges.
Any tips for that?
'Tips' means helpful advice. This short question is informal and direct, ideal for asking for practical help in everyday situations like training pets.
When he jumps, you turn your back and ignore him.
This uses a 'when' clause for instructions on handling behavior. It's useful for explaining step-by-step training methods, with imperative 'turn' and 'ignore' for actions.
Consistency is definitely key.
'Key' means most important, and 'definitely' adds emphasis. This proverb-like sentence summarizes advice, great for ending conversations on habits or training.