Why Confidence Matters More Than Volume When Talking to Dogs

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years around dogs—both in London and now here in Charlotte—it’s this: dogs don’t respond to how loud you are, they respond to how certain you are. You can shout all day long, but if your tone is unsure, most dogs will simply ignore you. On the other hand, a calm, confident voice can stop even a large, excitable dog in its tracks.

Dogs are constantly reading energy. They don’t understand English the way we do, but they are experts in tone, body language, and consistency. When I walk into a home as a sitter, especially with a dog I’ve never met before, I don’t raise my voice—I ground myself. Shoulders back, clear tone, simple instructions. It’s amazing how quickly dogs settle when they feel someone is in control.

This becomes even more important with bigger dogs. Many people assume you need strength or dominance, but in reality, you need clarity. A dog that trusts your leadership will naturally follow. I’ve worked with strong, energetic dogs that become incredibly responsive simply because they feel they don’t need to take charge themselves.

If you take one thing from this: don’t try to overpower your dog—outlead them. Speak less, mean more, and stay consistent. Your dog will thank you for it.