"dog talk"
Yes! I talk to Dempsey J. In fact, I am a middle school teacher and I find that boxers and twelve-year-olds need to be spoken to in a very similar way...I met my significant other at the dog park (cute story for another time) and he tells me now that he thought I was crazy, with the way I talked to my dog. ( I think he still does!)
The dog and I have discussions about "decision making," and "good choices vs. poor choices." When I praise him, I'll say things like "I'm really pleased that you made that decision, Dempsey J. That was a strong behavior choice." Or when I'm unhappy with him, I'll say "Your actions are not appropraite. Let's make some different choices."
I really do treat Dempsey J. just like one of the kids at school. It works! Just like all of you have said, I really believe he "gets it." We have another dog (not a boxer) and though I love her to death, she understands things like "sit" and "down." The boxer is in a class by himself.
Aren't these dogs great? :D