Walkies and talkies

[cali]

Well, not actual conversation, but phrases she knows like...
"Ok" or "let's go"- trying to get her to walk faster
"heel"- usually when around a crowd
"slow down"- my feet hurt darnnit
"place"- point at anybody you see
"who's that?"- getting her to be watchful of somebody nearby
"aren't you forgetting something"- if she forgets to sit at the corner
"go see"- means we are stopping at a familiar dog friend's house
"where"- Autumn's choice which way to go
"leave it"- eww whatever that is it's dead

and many many more. Usually I'm going on the whole walk.

I second this one, I dont have conversations with my dogs, but I am usally talking to them almost the whole time, using the same kind of commands as above.

[ratdogg]

i dont walk my dog as often as i should...but at work I ALWAYS talk to the doggies. Its silly but I think they like the sound and tone of the words.

[CathyBogart]

I keep up a steady stream of conversation with Jasper while we're out walking. People must think I'm out of my head.

[Glacier]

I talk to them alot when we are out for a hike. Not really a conversation, but I try to make some noise regularly---it's good bear protection. If a bear hears us coming, he is much more likely to keep his presence hidden!

On the sled, I speak only to give commands and the occasional bit of praise. If you talk too much to a working sled dog, they stop listening--which can be a problem when you need a response to a command!