A Quick Tip:

Wanna' talk to your dog? Here's a quick tip:

"To say hello to your dog sniff toward his nose. That's dog talk. He will answer by pulling his ears back, and close to his head. What he is saying is "Hello leader". For a joyous hello when you come home, pat your dog on the head!"

-Quoted from How to Talk to Your Dog, by Jean Craighead George