Description
Price: $18.99 - $8.74
(as of Feb 27, 2025 09:31:30 UTC – Details)
“A must read for all dog owners.” —The Washington Post
“The best key to what dogs are thinking.” —The Seattle Times
How to Speak Dog is one of the few books today that show us what dogs are trying to tell us, not just how we can control them.
Parlez-vous Doggish?
At long last, dogs will know just how smart their owners can be. By unlocking the secrets of the hidden language of dogs, psychologist Stanley Coren allows us into the doggy dialogue, or “Doggish,” and makes effective communication a reality.
Drawing on substantial research in animal behavior, evolutionary biology, and years of personal experience, Coren demonstrates that the average house dog can understand language at about the level of a two-year-old human. While actual conversation of the sort Lassie seemed capable of in Hollywood mythmaking remains forever out of reach, Coren shows us that a great deal of real communication is possible beyond the giving and obeying of commands.
How to Speak Dog not only provides the sounds, words, actions, and movements with which we can effectively communicate with our dogs, but also deciphers the signs that our dogs give to us. With easy-to-follow tips on how humans can mimic the language dogs use to talk with one another, original drawings illustrating the subtleties of their body language, and a handy visual glossary and “Doggish” phrasebook, How to Speak Dog gives dog lovers the skills they need to improve their relationships with their pets.
Publisher : Atria Books (April 17, 2001)
Language : English
Paperback : 288 pages
ISBN-10 : 074320297X
ISBN-13 : 978-0743202978
Item Weight : 12 ounces
Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.44 inches
Customers say
Customers find the book informative and helpful for understanding dogs better. They find it easy to understand and a worthwhile read. The language is clear and easy to follow, making effective communication with dogs easy. The book is entertaining, with humorous moments that make learning fun. Readers appreciate the personal experiences and illustrations that clarify information.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Sparkles42 –
Perfect way to learn to interact with dogs
High praise to the author of this book. It’s well written and ANYONE that works at a shelter or owns a pet cam REALLY benefit from this book.
B. McEwan –
It will change the way you relate to your dog
This is a very useful book that will, I promise, help you make positive changes in the way that you interact with your dog, even if you already have a great relationship. Author Stanley Coren writes clearly and compellingly and provides a wealth of specific and helpful information in a modest number of pages. I read the Kindle version on my iPhone and sometimes missed stops on the train because I was so deep into the text.Coren not only describes typical situations where people misconstrue a dog’s behavior (growling, barking, etc.) but offers up a lot of interesting tidbits about the co-evolution of dogs and humans and the probable reasons that motivate dogs to do what they do. It’s all very interesting and at times quite surprising.I searched out this book because I have a rescue dog who is sometimes aggressive and I couldn’t figure out how to deal with his behavior, nor could I determine what was causing it. Coren explains a good deal about the things dogs see as threats and how they communicate their feelings to us. And he also explains how we, in turn, can respond to our dogs so as to defuse negative situations.Many canine behaviors stem from a dog’s understanding of dominance within his family, a substitute pack. And these behaviors are often misinterpreted by people. One example that Coren gives is of a dog that consistently leans against a person. While the person may think the dog is signaling affection, in truth the dog is attempting to make the person shift position, which is a sign that the dog is dominant. This amazed me because my dog does that very thing. I thought he was loving me up, but it turns out he is merely trying to make me give him my place on the sofa!Similarly, when my dog stared at me while I was eating, I thought he was just being cute, trying to gain my sympathy. In fact, his stare is a challenge and if I give him some of my food he interprets that gesture as me being submissive. This is a slippery slope because it seems that in being generous I have been telling my dog that he is in charge of our household. This only furthers his aggressive tendencies. Now that I am armed with the information from this terrific book, things will be changing around my house.
Lawrence Bolger –
I have a lot to learn….
About my dog. I will admit it wasn’t a quick read. A lot was very technical with reports from studies. But the stories of interaction, analogies were well written and brought me back to continue reading. Having watch the dog whisperer on tv I thought the book would be similar, however not even close.I better understand what my dog wants, what he needs, and how I ( unknowingly) make him happy.I wish I had read this when he was a pup. Long waits for him to relieve himself might have been quicker.Finding why dogs mark hydrants or trees may sound boring until you hear of the dog that would do flips while a stream was released against the tree. Guess you need to read to find out.Because I felt the information was excellent I gave it four stars, as I said a slow read but worth whileJust my opinion
Amazon Customer –
a GREAT book
I have ordered two copies. It has been very helpful in understanding my young service dog. I gave a copy to the person who sometimes walks my dog
Diana –
A picture is worth 1000 words
I think the book is good but there should be more pictures and sounds for the reader to able to recognize the different ways a dog barks or ears and tail position. Real images of dogs would have helped a lot, along with recorded sounds (especially on the Kindle edition). To read the description of each position and trying to exactly figure it out is like trying to explain to someone how to exercise without photos of movement in action. The author gives a lot of other information at times on logic and background about dog behavior with historical reference. This is very informative somewhat but becomes a bit lengthy in some sections.After reading the book I am still struggling to try to understand dog language, so this is why I cannot give it a 5 stars.
Heidi –
I can speak Doggish!!
I have been looking for a book like this for ten years and once I finally found it I couldn’t read it fast enough. Coren answered questions that I’ve been searching for ever since I got my first dog. I have read more books than I can count on dog training and behavior. This is by far the most comprehensive book on dog communication I’ve read to date. This book is STUFFED with dogs’ body language and their meaning! Seven facial and body signs of aggression, seven ear positions, what changes in the pupil, sclera and iris mean, five types of tail wags, five meanings of whining, all the different kinds of barks, yawns, growls and other types of vocalizations. Wow! He weaves in clear illustrations and great anecdotes to clarify information making it an interesting and entertaining read. Coren dispels several common errors humans make by interpreting their dog’s behavior based on human thinking. It is more about understanding dogs than “speaking” dog although he does tell you how to communicate to an aggressive dog that you’re not a threat avoiding the terrifying experience of getting attacked! And he was able to give me the information I needed to get my dog to stop whining when she sees other dogs. All those dog training books and TWO trainers couldn’t do that for me! It is my opinion that this is a must read for anyone who owns a dog or works with dogs. I just ordered five copies and I’m going to give them to all my dog owning friends. Do yourself and your dog a favor. Read this book.
Amazon Customer –
GreT teaching book.Fun to read..Cute pics..
Mariano Lara –
Stanley Coren nos vuelve a impresionar con uno de sus mejores tÃtulos. Coren explica de forma concreta y entendible la evidencia cientÃfica sobre la comunicación canina y nos comparte muchas anecdotas de su trabajo en mejorar la comunicación entre humanos y Perros y como comprender en sà la comunicación de los Perros domésticos.Definitivamente el Libro es ideal para cualquier persona que desea entender la comunicación de los Perros, y que mejor que de la mano de un autor que es de los máximos cientÃficos en el área de comportamiento y cognición canina.
Fiona Spalding –
Very good book as an intro to doggie world. Coren writes well and the book is both entertaining and educational.
Annajp –
Me recomendaron el libro y de momento vale mucho la pena. La entrega fue muy rápida!
Maria do Carmo –
Aponta erros comuns que fazemos ao tentar entender nossos cães. Muitas vezes esperamos que eles se comportem de maneira similar em relação aos nossos cuidados e nos decepcionamos ou atrapalhamos com comportamentos muito diferentes. Este livro ajuda a estabelecermos uma melhor relação com os pets.