Description
Price: $14.95 - $10.99
(as of Feb 27, 2025 10:39:29 UTC – Details)
Norwegian dog trainer Turid Rugaas taught the world that humans cannot only learn to read canine body language but use their own body language to communicate with dogs. One of the most influential books on dog behavior today. The DVD shown on this page shows calming signals in action.
Publisher : Dogwise Publishing; 2nd edition (December 1, 2005)
Language : English
Paperback : 78 pages
ISBN-10 : 1929242360
ISBN-13 : 978-1929242368
Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
Dimensions : 6.56 x 0.25 x 8.2 inches
Customers say
Customers find the book helpful for understanding dogs’ body language and calming signals. They find the information useful and valuable, providing an insightful look into dog behavior and responses. Readers describe the book as interesting and worth reading. The pictures are also appreciated, with clear illustrations of actual dogs.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Amazon Customer –
It’s magic! Get this book!
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!
D. W. Hodges –
Excellent Insight Into Dogs
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.
Mieu –
Your dog has a language; you owe it to him to learn it
I have always hoped that the inner thought pattern of dogs was somehow ‘governed’ in the way a human’s is. I had always kept a candle burning for the notion that dogs interacted, communicated and socially bonded in a self-aware and considerate manner, rather than the crazed and often unintelligible behavioral garble we are left to observe in our domesticated companions. But, as a confirmed skeptic who had faced down many an erroneous and self-serving theory about animals forced on the public by nut-jobs who hoped “Fluffy could read minds”, I had my doubts about this book. I bought it because it was the book chosen by my monthly book club for behavior dorks.I was astounded, and frankly my training style will never be the same. This book has, with excellent concrete examples and full-color photos, taught me that dogs have an intricate and reliable body language that they use as effectively as we use words. It has raised my esteem for dogs as beings, enlightened my behavior around them, expectations of them and abilities as a trainer. I can hardly believe I interacted with dogs without knowing these principles.Turid Rugaas, the author, speaks in such an easy manner with her topic that it is clear how well she understands it. The book is concise, short and manageable. There are full color photos on nearly every page, depicting dogs engaged in the precise behavior patterns she is discussing (so you’ll be able to start recognizing them in your own pups right away). It surprised me how things she described correlated with some of my own memories of doggie interactions. She even unraveled a few mysteries for me; for instance, does your dog seem happy for you to stand in front of him, looking down at him, but get nervous as soon as you crouch to his level? There’s a social reason for that. Does your dog sit with his back to you? He’s not being impudent; he’s trying to reassure you. Seeing how dogs use these techniques with other dogs (and how those others respond in kind) is the enlightening selling point of this book. She never makes an unfounded claim, and has years of experience and success to back herself up. Skeptics rejoice!It’s startling how thoughtful a dog’s behavior really is. It won’t even take a day’s worth of your time to finish this book, but learning about a dog’s calming signals, stress signals, threat signals and how to employ them yourself to calm and communicate with your own buddy will be worth a lifetime. Turid gives humans the gift of a language dogs already communicate with. It’s like a Babel Fish for you and your hound.
Reader –
Insightful but brief
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.
Richard Strand –
Very good information.
Adriana –
Este livro da Turid Rugaas é de leitura obrigatória para que quer aprender sobre comportamento canino. à um clássico da literatura.Fácil leitura, muito contéudo, contém fotos.
Hermes –
I purchased a digital version many years ago but lost the certificate.I wanted to read the book again so this time I ordered the book. Good book as a starting point to get into dog calming signals.
Karishma –
This book should be owned by all the dog owners. This book will help you understand your dog’s body language and helps you to communicate with your dog. Turid Rugaas has explained it in a very simple way.
Beatrice Martin –
Questo libro è il libro che tutti che hanno adottato o comprato un cane deve leggere. Anche il suoi altri libri sui cani sono indispensabili per un rapporto salutare tra uomo e cane.