Do you talk to your birds as if--->>

[tielmama]

I talk to them both ways. I say real silly, stupid stuff to them, but I also speak to them like they are adult humans. I kept telling my U2 that in a few weeks, I would get to stay home with him all the time. Now I am! I've been telling Gabriel about how much fun we'll have outside this summer. I've had very serious talks with him about the fact that he was wild caught, and I'm sorry about that, but glad that he's with me. He's a very deep thinker. Poor beautiful creature.

[ROYJOY]

yes!

[StellaBlue]

Yup...I talk to all my animals as if they understand every word I say. I teach 6th grade and 10th-12th grade, and I do the same for my students. I wonder who "gets it" more often?

(On the other hand, I suspect I sometimes talk to my husband as if he doesn't understand a word I'm saying poor dear...)

[MaryG1959]

Stella,

I have three children of my own and imagine the birds are easier to teach, lololol!

[StellaBlue]

Yup, and every now and again there's a kid that I just want to say "Step UP" to

Gotta run and teach a class now!

[LMPego]

I absolutely talk to them as if they understand and I think it helps. I tell them what my schedule is when I'm leaving in the morning - if I'll be home before bed or if Daddy will put them to bed. We tell them on the weekends how long we'll be gone - a quick errand or all day. If you believe in inter-species communication philosophies, animals can "read" your thoughts, so maybe vocalizing puts those ideas clearly in your own mind in a way that your pets can understand. Whether that's true or not, I find that they seem to know what to expect from us when we tell them what's going on.