On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals

I have 4 dogs and while I work on training, things are far from perfect more often than not. I am always looking into ways to keep improving and stumbled upon this book by accident (or AI interference lol). I have so much less time in life that to be honest, I scroll straight to the page count of a book before I even consider it. Like a dog, I need to set myself up for success :) This fit the bill, seemed to address an issue I have going on, so I bought the print version over the digital version. Glossy pages (my favorite), enough photos, and short enough I could get through. So I jumped right in. WOW. Simplified. This is perfectly simplified, you aren’t getting lost in deep explanations and then forgetting what the lesson was, and the examples are helpful enough to give you just that: an example. I learned or gained more insight out of this book than I have the mountains of dog books I own, which is not because those books aren’t any good, but information is only helpful if a person has time to read that many pages and absorb it.I have immediately started applying this “to the point” guidance in trying to communicate calmness with my dogs, but more importantly, I have suddenly woke up up to being better at observing them communicating. Mind blown! As soon as I finished this book, I immediately ordered the other 2 by Turid Rugaas that were relevant to me and I am looking forward to diving into her insights!

I love dogs (and animals, in general) and happened across this book while searching for a training guide for a friend and her new puppy. Although this isn't actually a training guide, it provides an invaluable insight into the actions and responses I've observed in dogs throughout the years. The concept backing the author's understanding appears to be the same as that of Cesar Millan, the dog whisperer. Creating a relationship with a puppy or dog should never be about domination or punishments, it should be formed through understanding and love. Turid Rugaas helps to clarify, simply, how uninformed people with good intentions create the problems we usually see in dogs.One of the enlightening understandings which I gained from this book involves the popular thinking among people that, in order to train a dog, a person must establish themselves as the "Alpha" member of the pack. To many, that idea implies that the human should dominate the dog, or even subjugate it. To truly understand the (healthy) relationship which humans should foster with their dog(s), we must understand the nature of being the "Alpha" and the implications. To be the Alpha is to be the PARENT in the pack, not the "Boss." When we fail to establish our self as the Alpha member of the dog's pack, the dog will, by nature, assume that role for his/her own protection and the protection of the pack. This places a great deal of stress upon the dog and erodes both feelings of security and peace of mind, which will lead to behavioral issues. Ms. Rugaas clarifies the gentle nature of the pack, and the discipline that is enforced. Dogs, by their true natures, try to avoid conflicts, and thus the title of this book.A problem which often arises as the direct result of the human not assuming the proper role of parent (Alpha) begins when the dog feels the need to assume the role, by (genetic) default because of the human's lack of leadership. Always responsible for the pack's safety and security, the Alpha can come and go as desired, but pack members cannot. Knowing this genetic rule of the pack, imagine the mental chaos and stress created by human pack members when they come-and-go without permission, breaking the rules of survival. It is no wonder that some dogs suffer from "separation anxiety" and tear things up. It is the human's lack of understanding that creates "problem dogs."This book is small, and a very fast read, but it is a game-changer for anyone wanting to gain a clearer understanding of what is going on with dogs and how they think. I have purchased copies for friends, and have my personal copy out on loan. The information it contains is worth learning, and makes a great deal of sense.

I cannot stress enough just how great this book is! I am trying all of these simple things the author shows the reader to do, and every one of them is working! It truly is, as the author says, like a gate opening to communication with your dog! It's magic, it really is! And a quick, easy read, too. I'm going to get all of her books--this author is wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My whole adult life has been spent with dogs, yet I always felt like I was missing important signals from them. Here these signals are, presented for me to easily understand and apply. Thank you so much!

Short book, quick read, and interesting insights into an aspect of dog behavior - that is, the use of calming signals to defuse a situation or encounter.While I enjoyed Rugaas' personal narratives about experiences with her own dogs to illustrate various points, as well as the photographs included, I think much of what was said could have been condensed into a pamphlet or video format. Nevertheless, it has made me much more aware of how my dog is communicating with me, and how I respond, which is both exciting and useful.I feel that given Rugaas' obvious experience and knowledge of dog behavior, that she could have given a more comprehensive overview of dog behaviors and signals - including fear, threat etc., some of which are discussed and diagrammed in Patricia McConnell's The Other End of the Leash. I hope to get this from Brenda Aloff's Canine Body Language and Sarah Kalnajs DVD The Language of Dogs - based on their favorable reviews.