Probably, yet there are many differents way to communicate with species who do not speak our language or don't have a real concept of 'talking'. Maybe you could try to paint yourself around them and see if they show interest or something like this...

And that's a... good thing, they have personalities and they're allies, not servants. I'm not too fond of this whole concept of 'taming' creatures so they'll obey your orders. Even if it's common in my world as well...