Verbal communication can often be a problem for animals. Zima has
learned that it doesn't matter so much what you say as how you say it.
With my neighbor and I she speaks only when asked a question such
as "want to go for a walk?" or when on a walk and reaching a crossroads
"which way?". She usually uses a high-pitched modulated squeal to make her
desires know.
With dogkind, however her verbal communication skills are formidable.
I first encountered this several months ago when Zima led me to her
den in the mountains. It is a nice little spot made of overhanging
rocks. There is a hole in the middle of the ceiling but plenty of
protection from the elements and a front an back entrance. The bones
are piled neatly in one corner, and the floor is covered with a layer
of grass. She seemed quite proud of it.
While we were there, a young wolf cub ventured in the front entrance.
Zima does not allow any uninvited guests and quickly showed the cub the way
out. Once outside she positioned herself so her snout was positioned
next to the cub's ear. She proceeded to "talk" very loudly into
the waiting ear for the next minute. No threats, just talk. I, and I suspect
the cub, had no idea what her words meant, but the message was obvious.
After this tongue lashing, a high pitched squeal let the wolf know
he was now welcome to come into the den, so he did and was even allowed
to chew on an old bone.
Since then I have seen Zima use this technique on several other
occasions with domestic dogs and squirrels. It seems to work since
the recipient is subjugated and Zima makes sure she is being heard.
I did try to explain to her that using this technique on a wolf cub might
work, just don't try it on the cub's mother who was surely waiting
around somewhere. But I'm afraid she has yet to grasp the finer points
of verbal communication, so she probably did not understand.

Lesson: I'm sure glad my boss has not learned this method of communication.