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Canine Communication: The Language of a Species
Why do you need this book?
Excellent communication is relevant to interaction between all individuals whether sharing information within or outside our own species. Communication is paramount to excellent relationships.
As humans, we already have an entire range of listening blocks with each other, so with dogs with a completely different language. So, how do we even manage to communicate at all?
Thankfully dogs know our limits, so have spent hundreds of years perfecting their own communication skills to cope with the self-imposed boundaries of ours. The dogs in our homes are signalling, passing messages and displaying obvious requests most of the time. The humble house dog is a master communicator.
Everyone who lives or spends time with any dog should repay the favour of putting effort in to learn dog language. It’s essential that we can tell whether our dogs are relaxed, coping, scared, stressed or trying to escape. In addition, it’s wonderful for them if we read their small cut-off gestures and adhere to them with respect.
Packed with illustrations, photographs and explanations this book is a great way to learn canine communication and
Why dogs are all individuals and how their communication can vary.
Telling how a dog feels from his stance and movement.
Signs that your dog is suffering emotional discomfort.
Early signs that your dog is feeling stressed.
How to recognise severe stress and fear.
How to manage and understand what dogs are saying to each other on greeting.
Warning signs when dogs meet.
The difference between play and conflict.
The three types of distance that your dog uses to maintain his feelings of security.
Why and how play is rooted in ancient rituals.
How dogs self-inhibit and negotiate to maintain the game.
What aggression looks like.
How to tell a dog’s intention from their body language and communication signals.
This book will help you to understand not only your own dogs but also the communication attempts of every dog that you meet. When you start to properly and skilfully communicate with dogs it’s a fascinating and heartening journey that’s fair on them and an amazing experience for us
Excellent communication is relevant to interaction between all individuals whether sharing information within or outside our own species. Communication is paramount to excellent relationships.
As humans, we already have an entire range of listening blocks with each other, so with dogs with a completely different language. So, how do we even manage to communicate at all?
Thankfully dogs know our limits, so have spent hundreds of years perfecting their own communication skills to cope with the self-imposed boundaries of ours. The dogs in our homes are signalling, passing messages and displaying obvious requests most of the time. The humble house dog is a master communicator.
Everyone who lives or spends time with any dog should repay the favour of putting effort in to learn dog language. It’s essential that we can tell whether our dogs are relaxed, coping, scared, stressed or trying to escape. In addition, it’s wonderful for them if we read their small cut-off gestures and adhere to them with respect.
Packed with illustrations, photographs and explanations this book is a great way to learn canine communication and
Why dogs are all individuals and how their communication can vary.
Telling how a dog feels from his stance and movement.
Signs that your dog is suffering emotional discomfort.
Early signs that your dog is feeling stressed.
How to recognise severe stress and fear.
How to manage and understand what dogs are saying to each other on greeting.
Warning signs when dogs meet.
The difference between play and conflict.
The three types of distance that your dog uses to maintain his feelings of security.
Why and how play is rooted in ancient rituals.
How dogs self-inhibit and negotiate to maintain the game.
What aggression looks like.
How to tell a dog’s intention from their body language and communication signals.
This book will help you to understand not only your own dogs but also the communication attempts of every dog that you meet. When you start to properly and skilfully communicate with dogs it’s a fascinating and heartening journey that’s fair on them and an amazing experience for us
- GenresNonfiction
159 pages, Paperback
Published January 18, 2019
72 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 4, 2019
Easy to read and well exposed problems with canine communication.
I feel like I can understand my dog behaving more. I recommend this book to any dog owners who want to see our dogs in different light.
I feel like I can understand my dog behaving more. I recommend this book to any dog owners who want to see our dogs in different light.
January 20, 2019
Understand your dog
Plain language explanations and knowledgeable suggestions. She exposes the fallacy of some harsh training responses that do not help the dog become less stressed.
Plain language explanations and knowledgeable suggestions. She exposes the fallacy of some harsh training responses that do not help the dog become less stressed.
January 30, 2019
Every dog deserves to be understood by his owner. That's why this book should be read by every dog owner. Unfortunately too many do not understand canine communication.
You learn how fear, aggression etc. are shown by dogs and how to react as a first step.
You learn how fear, aggression etc. are shown by dogs and how to react as a first step.
January 28, 2019
Great book, with great and useful pictures and illustrations. Definitely worth a read for dog owners.
January 12, 2026
Best for dog owners
This book is a must read for all dog owners. Many cases of aggression are from misunderstood communication.
Nothing in this book was new information for me as a dog trainer so I didn’t find it super helpful- but I did come away with some great visuals and descriptions to help clients better understand the concepts. I particularly like the snowball metaphor regarding threshold. If I was a dog owner- this would be 5 stars. The visuals were great. As a dog trainer I’d give it 4 stars just because I pretty much knew everything. In the book- and agreed with it.
This book is a must read for all dog owners. Many cases of aggression are from misunderstood communication.
Nothing in this book was new information for me as a dog trainer so I didn’t find it super helpful- but I did come away with some great visuals and descriptions to help clients better understand the concepts. I particularly like the snowball metaphor regarding threshold. If I was a dog owner- this would be 5 stars. The visuals were great. As a dog trainer I’d give it 4 stars just because I pretty much knew everything. In the book- and agreed with it.
October 26, 2019
Enlightenment
Very illuminating and informative. I have had 6 dogs of diffrent breeds, Yorkshire terriers, Cocker spaniels and lately Coton de Tuler and they had different characters. It confirms my interpretation of their behaviour and enjoyment. I would recommend this book to every one who is thinking of having a dog so that they can get all the enjoyment and companionship offered.
Very illuminating and informative. I have had 6 dogs of diffrent breeds, Yorkshire terriers, Cocker spaniels and lately Coton de Tuler and they had different characters. It confirms my interpretation of their behaviour and enjoyment. I would recommend this book to every one who is thinking of having a dog so that they can get all the enjoyment and companionship offered.
November 10, 2023
I think this book by Sally is a perfect read for those who are green to dog behaviour. She does an excellent job at breaking down behaviours so you can better understand what your dog is trying to communicate. We must learn how to speak their language to live in balance with one another and within ourselves, both dog and human.
April 11, 2019
Brilliant
Really a good read, she has a great understanding of dogs. It has help me understand how dog communicate.
Good read
Really a good read, she has a great understanding of dogs. It has help me understand how dog communicate.
Good read
February 25, 2021
Useful little book about canine body language, gave me some interesting info, I like that there are photos showing different scenarios
August 14, 2025
Many typos and repetitive in places.
November 21, 2020
I love this book, full of sound and practical advice. Although I've completed it, I keep it to hand and pop in and out of it
Highly recommend this for novice and experienced dog owners and professionals alike. Well written in an easy to understand way. Reading this will benefit the relationship between human and canine
Highly recommend this for novice and experienced dog owners and professionals alike. Well written in an easy to understand way. Reading this will benefit the relationship between human and canine
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews