Also available as an Audiobook: On Talking Terms with Dogs
Your dog is talking. Do you know what he is saying?
Yawning, lip-licking, sneezing, even scratching are just a few of the 30-plus signals that dogs use to communicate with one another. With On Talking Terms With Dogs you can learn to recognize these signals and use them yourself to interact with your dog.
Norwegian dog trainer and behaviorist Turid Rugaas has made it her life work to study canine social interaction. She coined the phrase “calming signals” to describe the social skills, sometimes referred to as body language, that dogs use to avoid conflict, invite play, and communicate a wide range of information to other dogs — and also humans.
Every dog needs his human to read this book!
• Learn to identify situations that are stressful to your dog so that you can resolve or avoid them.
• Rehabilitate a dog that has lost her ability to read or give calming signals.
• Become a keen observer of canine behavior at home, in the community, and among dogs to get better behavior and build a solid relationship.
Experts praise Turid's work
Invaluable! The insightful observations of Turid Rugaas can help all of us have a deeper and more meaningful relationship with our dogs. This beautifully illustrated book belongs in the home of dog lovers everywhere.
Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D. author, The Other End of the Leash, Cautious Canine, Feeling Outnumbered and more
I personally owe Turid a great debt because her work validated my observations that dogs are trying very hard to talk' to us. This book was my guide and added amazing volume to my knowledge base. Her book provided the confidence to continue watching and interpreting. What a lovely gift!
Brenda Aloff author of Aggression In Dogs and Canine Body Language, A Photographic Guide
This new revised edition is a must have! Even if you own the previous edition the photos and examples along with the writing are worth it. Turid has a wonderful gift of making everything so easy to understand and relate to (she has made) an enormous contribution to mankind in our ever-increasing knowledge of man's best friend our dogs.
Pamela Dennison, author of Complete Idiot's Guide to Positive Dog Training and Bringing Light to Shadow. A Dog Trainer's Diary
Turid Rugaas lives in Geithus, Norway and is also the author of My Dog Pulls What Do I Do? and the DVD counterpart to this book, Calming Signals: What Your Dog Tells You. She has studied canine social behavior for over 30 years and written and lectured on the subject throughout the world.
Click here to view an excerpt.
What reviewers are saying...
DOGWORLD
This little book by Norwegian trainer and behaviorist Turid Rugaas provides a dog-to-human dictionary of canine body language. Through years of observation, Rugaas has identified gestures and movements that dogs use to signal to other dogs-- and humans that they have peaceful intentions. They also use calming signals when they are stressed. These signals include yawning, sniffing the ground, licking the nose, and looking away, to name a few In perhaps the biggest improvement in the second edition, the calming signals are now presented in full-color photographs, rather than the somewhat crude line drawings that illustrated the first. If you have read the first edition, consider buying and reading the second: Unless you're an expert on calming signals, the photographs and new text will surely be illuminating.
MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals by international dog trainer and behaviorist Turid Rugaas is a truly "user-friendly" guide to understanding and communicating with your dog. Introducing its readers to many conceptual tactics and subtle tendencies which might imply the dog's desires, On Talking Terms With Dogs is an invaluable reference for dog owners who truly wish to help their friend to an ultimate happiness. On Talking Terms With Dogs is very strongly recommended to all dog owners, especially those highly devoted and owners of multiple canine companions. James A. Cox
CANINE REVIEW
Some books make you think, and this little book by Rugaas does just that. It gives an interpretation of body language of dogs. More specifically, body language dogs use with each other and with us to calm down a situation. It's an enjoyable read that can be accomplished in an hour on a Sunday morning. It helped me better understand some of the point-costing behaviors my dogs produce in the obedience ring If you deal with dogs in stressful situations, or even just want to understand your dog's behavior better, I think you would find this book helpful and enlightening. Marlene Parish
NORTH SHORE NEWS
When trying to communicate with someone who does not speak the same language it is natural to resort to gestures and to pay close attention to general body movements. It is the same principal that guides our understanding of basic dog language. Turid Rugaas has spent much of her life working with dogs. Through her studies and sensitive approach she has been able to achieve a rapport that is based on mutual respect. She states, if you want your dog to respect you, you must also respect your dog. Through this foundation, she has established a level of communication that is attainable for dog lovers everywhere. Dogs provide many signals during their interaction with each other by paying attention to these signals and their desired effects, we can all learn to better relate to our canine friends. Through the simple-to-follow lessons in this book, you will learn to recognize common dog signals such as turning away, licking the nose and softening their eyes, and how to properly respond to those signals. Simple directions accompany the colour photographs that fill this slim book and provide a wonderful starting point for a new level of understanding. Easy to read, and filled with clear photographs and interesting case histories, this is a book that will benefit every dog lover. Terry Peters
animaltalk.com
"Dogs are masters at interpreting our body language, now we have the opportunity to learn to interpret their body language. Turid Rugaas has a made a serious study of the way dogs interact with each other. The owner of a dog training school in Norway, Rugaas lectures worldwide. Her observations were set down in the first edition of this acclaimed book. This new second edition leaves the line drawings behind in favor of beautiful color photos. Rugaas, who has found over 30 of these canine interactions gives us, in a sense, the Berlitz of dog books. This book deserves to be in the home of every dog owner, to be read and reread." Darlene Arden
10 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals
I've given away NUMEROUS copies of this book. I've read, reread and rererereread it. Because I'm learning a new language, and because the body language can be subtle, I keep this book handy for those moments when you've a moment; in the bathroom, for example :) I love this book, and am just about to order a couple more because I meet people who need to learn how to speak 'dog' every day.
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I use this books for client education.
I am a professional dog trainer and everyone of my clients gets this book. It’s so simple yet powerful in explaining dog behavior and calming signals. It helps me educate my clients on the identification of those early warning signs most owners never see. Highly recommend this book.
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Very informative , well written.
If you want to understand your dog and see the subtle body language they give off to help predict what they will do next, read this book!
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EXCELLENT little book.
I had a copy of this book for myself, and used it often in my "hobby business" as a dog trainer -- it's amazing how much useful information is packed into this slender little book. I bought a hundred as my annual donation to our local SPCA, and their Adoption Counselors are thrilled, giving them out to every new dog adopter as long as they last. I think I might do this again next year, because SO many dog owners know 'way too little about what their dogs are trying to tell them :)
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A small, short book filled with examples of ways dogs calm themselves and other dogs.claming signals dogs us
This book made me aware of many signals dogs use instinctively. Some are subtle! Watching for them has helped me understand our new adult dog.
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Dog Language
We love this book and give a copy to everyone who gets one of our pups. It helps all of us to understand what our dogs are telling us without words, leading to better lives for folks and for their dogs. It's understandable, makes sense, and is very helpful.
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On Talking Terms With Dogs
Every new student in my classes gets a treat pouch and a copy of this book. It's a simple, easy to understand introduction to understanding how our dogs communicate.
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Every Dog Training Client Should Have This!
We now provide On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals to every new client. Our clients tell us they read it cover to cover - share it with their families - and even share this knowledge with their friends. Turid's book and understanding help our clients see their dogs have been politely asking them to change their behavior - and the clients realize they have not been listening. Incidents of over reactivity decrease because the clients now understand the early, more subtle signaling coming from their dogs. Our puppy clients start to understand when play is appropriate or when their puppy is being a bit pushy (not listening to another puppy's calming signals)...or when another puppy is not listening to their own puppy's calming signals. We are grateful to Turid for her work and putting this simple yet powerful book together for all of us!
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Information presentation
This is a wonderful book every new dog owner/parent should have in their personal library. Her writing style is friendly and professional at the same time. I learned a lot from her and bought the DVD too
