The Secret Language of Dogs

by Heather Dunphy

Dogs express themselves in a “secret language” that relies on expressions, body postures, barks, and growls. This language contains many subtle, but important nuances and is very different from human verbal communication, but it is nevertheless a language that can be learned. The Secret Language of Dogs shows you how to interpret what your canine is telling you through their behavior, and it explains how they, in turn, interpret our body language and attempts to communicate and interact with them.

Known as “man’s best friend” for a reason, dogs are scientifically proven to enhance our quality of life. The Secret Language of Dogs helps return the favor by providing insights into why dogs act as they do. It also contains practical advice for training, addressing common health and behavioral problems, and strengthening the bond with your canine friend. Promptly and properly decoding canine communication is the key to both a contented dog and a confident owner. The Secret Language of Dogs takes the mysteries out of dog body language, giving you the insight to gain a better understanding of your much-loved pet.

Genres: Nonfiction, Dogs, Animals, Reference, Science

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 25, 2011

Reviews

[I_grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've just completed my VOA diploma (Veterinary office assistant) and have been working for a few months in a clinic. During my studies and before I collected a lot of animal reference book, and for dogs this is one of my favourites. Lots of useful, easy to find information. It's moved from a shelf at home to a shelf at work so it's always close by when needed.

Definitely recommend, and wish all of the owners of our canine patients at the clinic had their own copy!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical and helpful tips in an easy to read format. Will refer to this book again and again.

[Kay Cugini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information, very helpful, however it is quite short and feel it's very padded out with photos, but advice is good

[Mari · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book... is definitely for first time dog owners.

As someone who grew up around dogs, worked and continue to work with them, I didn't learn anything. It just reinforced what I already knew about canine behavior. However, this book is really good for someone who never had a dog before and doesn't really know how to handle things from first introduction to every day behavioral issues such as barking and digging, this book really helps put it into perspective on what is common and what is not, plus how to handle it.

[Abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information. I enjoyed it and the pictures, but it definitely could have been cut down.
As a beginner of trying to understand my dog, there's a lot of information I found very helpful. I wish the information was a bit more detailed rather than skimming the surface I feel like. I'd definitely recommend as a beginners book.

[Iveta Vi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pāris sakarīgi padomi šajā grāmatā ir izlasāmi.

[Sally Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book full of good info, especially for new dog owners.

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has helpful tips for understanding canine behavior in short easy to read sections, however it repeats itself quite a bit. On the same page sometimes. Photographs were great though!

[Michael Lent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful, easy breezy read you can do in one sitting and pick up a few tidbits even if you're a seasoned dog owner. Love all the pics.

[Leisavaners · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely recommend this book to other dog lovers. It really brings home the point that we don't speak the same language as our dogs and something that to people may seem harmless or even affectionate (like a hug) can be interpreted very differently by dogs (for example as an aggressive message that they respond to submissively). I also liked how the book was laid out. It started out explaining the different breeds, and also stressed that breed isn't the be-all-end-all. It's the environment and love and training a dog gets that defines them, not their ancestry. It then moved into problem behaviours and what to do about them / how our dogs interpret our actions/ what they are saying by their actions. The book is like a language translator, helping us understand how to speak dog. It's my favourite type of book really: about dogs, with explanations that really make sense. Love for our dogs helps us understand them but it's not enough. This book brings in the science, without sounding scientific (for example, when looking at pack behaviour). Worth a read!!!

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you only read one book on understanding and caring for your dog it should be this one. Understand the difference between a fearful dog and a submissive one - so important! And if that was the only lesson in the book it would be worth it but there is much more. My brother loves his dog, but didn't understand, and was hurt by, his dog cowering at the door when my brother got home from work, and at times leaving a puddle. Why was his dog scared of him when all he did was love the dog and treat him well? Well the dog wasn't scared of him at all, just submissive and through the advice in the book his dog now behaves less so and is more confident and they have a better relationship. Both are happier. So much good stuff in the book, that is just one personal example of how it has helped. Read it!

[Dad · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot on dogs. I consider dogs to be the most noble of all animals. I have a sheltie which I absolutely adore. I felt it had some good ideas. I am glad my daughter gave me this book as I have been having trouble with my sheltie, Kipper, barking too much. The book recommended that negative attention can feed a dog just as positive attention can. Some of the ideas in here would be like wanting your dog to be a robot. I don't treat my dog that way. I enjoy his spontaneity. He is a real funny dog....like when he burps or puts on a show when I get home. The book calls the latter bad but I really get a kick out of it.
It is good to read about dogs. I learned a lot as a longtime dog person and yet don't buy into all of it.
It was a good format that broke it up and allowed for easier reading.

[Annie Kookie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The information on health, maintenance & care are all, while basic knowledge, informative to new or interested in being new owners.

i thought this book was about understanding dogs not about training. To be fair i wouldnt mind a small section regarding simple training BUT i dislike that theyve used it to promote certain types of training and bashing others completely. I am happy to promote positive training but I think that the all-positive approach which people are so keen on as of late is unfair to trainers who work in BALANCED training methods. That is opinion. If I wanted to buy a training book I would have; if i wanted an opinion piece i would have bought one. I wasn't aware by the title that I was purchasing a book bashing most every training method available.

[Sarah Mayor Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have had a flick through. So looking forward to reading an reviewing this. What a great idea for a book.

Well I did more than flick through and I really enjoyed it - I kept wishing that I was in a secondary school so i could use excerpts with my students - especially the ones who don't like reading, but have pets.

I also wonder if anyone who is on the spectrum (or who has children or students on the spectrum has read it) because I wonder if they would understand so much more of the text than I did and related to it more. It also reminded me of Temple Grandin's latest book too - mental blank, green cover came out in 2010ish.

[Miss Meliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing terribly secret in this book for dog-lovers, but it's an enjoyable read and the pictures are a lot of fun.

[Jennaoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is obviously be about dogs! But it is soso interesting to learn about all the different types of dogs there are! Also all their behaviors they have.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good book for a beginner's understanding of dog behavior. Also provided some very good training tips.

[Emily]

This book was fascinating I love dogs :)

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good introduction to dog behavior. It had tips for understanding what is going on in your dog's mind and advice for dealing with problems. Well worth reading.

[Sophie Ann]

helpful xx

[Tamara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book. It wasn't that much about dog's communication, more so about training- felt uneven and didn't add much to dog knowledge overall. Pass.

[Ruby Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I managed to teach my two huskies all the tricks in this book, with its guidance. It was vey easy. Excellent reading for understanding dog behavior from pups to old age.

[Megan Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative

[Allie Dorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Informative! Helped me train my pup and understand way better!