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Dog Language: An Encyclopedia of Canine Behavior
In 300 concise entries using clear illustrations dog lovers and professionals will develop their canine behavior vocabulary and comprehension of why dogs do what they do. Ethologist Roger Abrantes has built his career on helping professionals and lay persons understand dogs.
266 pages, Paperback
First published November 27, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 16, 2009
Don't think that "encylopedia" is some sort of euphemism for a book covering the ins and outs of canine behavior in this particular book. It's not. It's exactly what it says it is -- an encyclopedia, with each item listed alphabetically and cross-referenced. I expected it to be the former and was somewhat disappointed to find out that this one can be billed as "truth in advertising."
This book covers most everything in regard to canine behavior, but everything is just barely touched upon. Sections on important elements are often reduced to mere paragraphs. There's ultimately nothing wrong with this, as it makes this book a really good, solid introduction to canine behavior for anyone who knows little about it. I've read a lot on dog behavior and knew most of what was in this book in far greater detail than Abrantes seemed to want o go into, but I would recommend it to anyone who has a dog and doesn't know much about how they communicate. It's also excellent as a resource, just something to keep on the book shelf and look up concepts as needed. Its layout with multiple references (Escape - SEE FLIGHT) makes it an easy book to look up something quickly and easily.
The best section for me, personally, was the section on ethology (the science of behavior). He gives a rundown of ethology through the ages, starting with Aristotle and moving into modern theories. While it goes into only small details on each theory, it opens up the possibility of exploring more into the various ethology theories throughout the ages. I'm most interested in the writies of Augustinus (354-430) and Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274), both of whom believed animals have feelings. I find it amazing that someone from over 1500 years ago believed animals have feelings, but some modern people do not!
I took issue on the author with only a couple small things. He emphasizes (almost to the point of overemphasizing) that dogs cannot be fear aggressive, but rather that fear equals flight. I simply don't find this true. When cornered, a fearful animal will lash out, turn to "fight" rather than flight, because it's the only recourse left. In this case I think it's quite correct to say the dog is acting out of fear. Abrantes, however, says that a dog can be both submissive and aggressive. I find that these two are contradictory. If a dog is being submissive, it cannot be aggressive -- they're showing deference, placating a more dominant dog. I found this sort of change up to be a little odd.
My other very small quibble is that he describes a joyful dog as having a closed mouth. He never once mentions the open-mouthed "grin" dog owners all know so well. It seems odd to leave this aspect out, while bringing up most everything else about a dog's expression (including the dogs who smile by lifting the mouth up and showing their teeth in an imitation of a human smile).
Other than those two issues, I think this book is a great one to have on the shelf as reference or is a good book to read for new dog owners.
This book covers most everything in regard to canine behavior, but everything is just barely touched upon. Sections on important elements are often reduced to mere paragraphs. There's ultimately nothing wrong with this, as it makes this book a really good, solid introduction to canine behavior for anyone who knows little about it. I've read a lot on dog behavior and knew most of what was in this book in far greater detail than Abrantes seemed to want o go into, but I would recommend it to anyone who has a dog and doesn't know much about how they communicate. It's also excellent as a resource, just something to keep on the book shelf and look up concepts as needed. Its layout with multiple references (Escape - SEE FLIGHT) makes it an easy book to look up something quickly and easily.
The best section for me, personally, was the section on ethology (the science of behavior). He gives a rundown of ethology through the ages, starting with Aristotle and moving into modern theories. While it goes into only small details on each theory, it opens up the possibility of exploring more into the various ethology theories throughout the ages. I'm most interested in the writies of Augustinus (354-430) and Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274), both of whom believed animals have feelings. I find it amazing that someone from over 1500 years ago believed animals have feelings, but some modern people do not!
I took issue on the author with only a couple small things. He emphasizes (almost to the point of overemphasizing) that dogs cannot be fear aggressive, but rather that fear equals flight. I simply don't find this true. When cornered, a fearful animal will lash out, turn to "fight" rather than flight, because it's the only recourse left. In this case I think it's quite correct to say the dog is acting out of fear. Abrantes, however, says that a dog can be both submissive and aggressive. I find that these two are contradictory. If a dog is being submissive, it cannot be aggressive -- they're showing deference, placating a more dominant dog. I found this sort of change up to be a little odd.
My other very small quibble is that he describes a joyful dog as having a closed mouth. He never once mentions the open-mouthed "grin" dog owners all know so well. It seems odd to leave this aspect out, while bringing up most everything else about a dog's expression (including the dogs who smile by lifting the mouth up and showing their teeth in an imitation of a human smile).
Other than those two issues, I think this book is a great one to have on the shelf as reference or is a good book to read for new dog owners.
August 17, 2009
This book is a useful reference guide but more scholarly than practical.
July 2, 2012
Premessa: possiedo l'edizione italiana,assente nel db, e al momento misteriosamente desaparecida dalle mie librerie. In attesa di un recupero o un riacquisto commento quella in inglese.
Scritto con i consueti rigore e precisione scandinavi, il libro si fa perdonare l'eccesso di schematismo.
Apprezzabile il rifiuto dello psicologismo sciatto e dell'antropizzazione, notevole l'umiltà con cui si confessano nicchie di ignoranza.
Si parte da un breve excursus nella storia del canis lupus familiaris per poi analizzare le salienze comportamentali di quest'ultimo anche attraverso il costante rimando al suo nobile antenato, il lupo.
Estremamente puntuale, esaustivo e preciso nell'esaminare le varie voci, l'autore fornisce una panoramica a trecentossessanta gradi del linguaggio canino, dotandoci di preziosi strumenti interpretativi.
Il potenziale neofita potrà valutare con oculatezza quale razza scegliere ovvero se è il caso di soprassedere per dedicarsi a bestiole meno impegnative e toste quali il gatto; il padrone esperto per meglio comprendere o apprendere aspetti sconosciuti poco chiari del suo "migliore amico".
Di sicuro a lettura ultimata, non si potrà non restare impressionati dal fatto che un essere nettamente superiore a noi per forza, prestanza, capacità di reazione e mediazione, voglia comunque restare accanto a qualcuno che, spesso, lo vede attraverso i propri occhi e secondo le proprie aspettative, raramente per ciò che è.
p.s. non sorridete mai a un cane sconosciuto, penserà che gli state mostrando i denti! ;-)
Scritto con i consueti rigore e precisione scandinavi, il libro si fa perdonare l'eccesso di schematismo.
Apprezzabile il rifiuto dello psicologismo sciatto e dell'antropizzazione, notevole l'umiltà con cui si confessano nicchie di ignoranza.
Si parte da un breve excursus nella storia del canis lupus familiaris per poi analizzare le salienze comportamentali di quest'ultimo anche attraverso il costante rimando al suo nobile antenato, il lupo.
Estremamente puntuale, esaustivo e preciso nell'esaminare le varie voci, l'autore fornisce una panoramica a trecentossessanta gradi del linguaggio canino, dotandoci di preziosi strumenti interpretativi.
Il potenziale neofita potrà valutare con oculatezza quale razza scegliere ovvero se è il caso di soprassedere per dedicarsi a bestiole meno impegnative e toste quali il gatto; il padrone esperto per meglio comprendere o apprendere aspetti sconosciuti poco chiari del suo "migliore amico".
Di sicuro a lettura ultimata, non si potrà non restare impressionati dal fatto che un essere nettamente superiore a noi per forza, prestanza, capacità di reazione e mediazione, voglia comunque restare accanto a qualcuno che, spesso, lo vede attraverso i propri occhi e secondo le proprie aspettative, raramente per ciò che è.
p.s. non sorridete mai a un cane sconosciuto, penserà che gli state mostrando i denti! ;-)
April 25, 2015
If you are interested in reading about dog behavior and its roots, as well as how it is represented in modern canine and how to read or interpret it's behavior you may want to put the book down. If you're hoping that this book flows smoothly and is very informational in that it gives personal accounts, definitely skip this book.
If you are looking for a quick reference to a certain canine behavioral word, then pick up this book and read away.
Wonderful illustrations though, and explains every behavior vocabulary very clearly.
If you are looking for a quick reference to a certain canine behavioral word, then pick up this book and read away.
Wonderful illustrations though, and explains every behavior vocabulary very clearly.
July 12, 2021
I read this book in preparation for my CCPDT certification exam.
This book is a semi-decent dictionary for any terms related to dogs. It does not go indepth into actual dog language and its complexities, much to my disappointment. It is also a bit outdated considering it was written over 20 years ago. I really didn't like how often it referred to wolf behavior considering domestic dogs and wolves, though sharing a common ancestor, are two different species and there really is no purpose in studying wolf behavior to better understand dogs. I wouldn't recommend this to casual dog owners as there is very little to gain from it. I can only see it as a decent spot to look up a quick, but lacking, definition for something if you don't have access to the internet. Don't do what I did and read this cover to cover.
This book is a semi-decent dictionary for any terms related to dogs. It does not go indepth into actual dog language and its complexities, much to my disappointment. It is also a bit outdated considering it was written over 20 years ago. I really didn't like how often it referred to wolf behavior considering domestic dogs and wolves, though sharing a common ancestor, are two different species and there really is no purpose in studying wolf behavior to better understand dogs. I wouldn't recommend this to casual dog owners as there is very little to gain from it. I can only see it as a decent spot to look up a quick, but lacking, definition for something if you don't have access to the internet. Don't do what I did and read this cover to cover.
January 24, 2024
3’5 ⭐️. Me ha parecido un poco repetitivo, creo que por el formato en el que está narrado a modo de “diccionario”. Pese a eso me ha parecido un libro muy interesante y que facilita bastante el entendimiento básico del comportamiento canino. Es un libro que recomendaría a todos los propietarios de un perro, incluso antes de tener ninguno.
September 9, 2017
Very informative helped me greatly with my college work
March 21, 2019
Good and informative.
August 10, 2020
A must have for those that work with dogs, with illustrations. A great resource.
June 29, 2026
This book is not for your average dog owner.
This book is for behaviorists and, to a lesser extent, trainers. It’s outdated, but it's still one of the most thorough ethograms on canine behavior out there. The illustrations are superb: they’re descriptive, accurate depictions of faces, body postures, captured with almost photographic realism and the descriptions of behavior tend towards dry and academic, which is exactly what I want in an ethogram.
If you choose to read it, a few things to consider:
- This science book is older than Google.
- Around 2012/2013, scientists proved that dogs have emotions with MRI scans.
- David Mech, the scientist who did the famous wolf studies that brought us goodies like pack theory and alpha/dominance has recanted his paper and spent many years telling the world he came to the wrong conclusion.
- We’ve learned that behavior is a complex interplay of internal and external stimuli.
Now I don’t know about you, but I’m not writing this on a desktop with a CRT monitor running Windows 95 and listening to my 2400 baud modem screech and wail for a connection to a phone line. I’d expect my dog trainer/behaviorist to be up to speed on research done in this century.
Unfortunately, there is one illustration that most people have seen from this book, one describing behaviors along a “dominant” and “submissive” matrix. Nowadays, the matrix would no longer be one of dominance and submission, but one of fear and anger and the individual's desire for space or connection. Is there dominance and submission within canine social behavior? Sure, but dogs don’t spend their time worrying about their place in the social order. That’s a human thing.
If you’ve ever browsed his blog, you’ll see that he prefers to train using what he calls “reinforcers,” though he never truly defines what they are, for good reasons. Reinforcers are as unique as the behavior they encourage or discourage. But reinforcers aren’t always pleasant, and he’s been consistently cagey as to what reinforcers he uses and how. Granted, he’s a scientist and not a trainer, so he doesn’t owe any of us that peek into his life.
Would I recommend it for most trainers? Not really. I think there are better out there, but I’m happy it lives in my tiny dog behavior reference library. It has its place, both as a historical piece and for his descriptions of many behaviors I do not see in any of my other books on dog behavior (Handleman and Aloff) and so it stays, even if I argue with it.
This book is for behaviorists and, to a lesser extent, trainers. It’s outdated, but it's still one of the most thorough ethograms on canine behavior out there. The illustrations are superb: they’re descriptive, accurate depictions of faces, body postures, captured with almost photographic realism and the descriptions of behavior tend towards dry and academic, which is exactly what I want in an ethogram.
If you choose to read it, a few things to consider:
- This science book is older than Google.
- Around 2012/2013, scientists proved that dogs have emotions with MRI scans.
- David Mech, the scientist who did the famous wolf studies that brought us goodies like pack theory and alpha/dominance has recanted his paper and spent many years telling the world he came to the wrong conclusion.
- We’ve learned that behavior is a complex interplay of internal and external stimuli.
Now I don’t know about you, but I’m not writing this on a desktop with a CRT monitor running Windows 95 and listening to my 2400 baud modem screech and wail for a connection to a phone line. I’d expect my dog trainer/behaviorist to be up to speed on research done in this century.
Unfortunately, there is one illustration that most people have seen from this book, one describing behaviors along a “dominant” and “submissive” matrix. Nowadays, the matrix would no longer be one of dominance and submission, but one of fear and anger and the individual's desire for space or connection. Is there dominance and submission within canine social behavior? Sure, but dogs don’t spend their time worrying about their place in the social order. That’s a human thing.
If you’ve ever browsed his blog, you’ll see that he prefers to train using what he calls “reinforcers,” though he never truly defines what they are, for good reasons. Reinforcers are as unique as the behavior they encourage or discourage. But reinforcers aren’t always pleasant, and he’s been consistently cagey as to what reinforcers he uses and how. Granted, he’s a scientist and not a trainer, so he doesn’t owe any of us that peek into his life.
Would I recommend it for most trainers? Not really. I think there are better out there, but I’m happy it lives in my tiny dog behavior reference library. It has its place, both as a historical piece and for his descriptions of many behaviors I do not see in any of my other books on dog behavior (Handleman and Aloff) and so it stays, even if I argue with it.
Want to Read
November 28, 2008Need to get this one.
July 6, 2016
Not the easiest format to read (as an encyclopedia) but well researched and filled with pictures.
April 10, 2019
Worth reading as a follow up to 'The evolution of canine social behavior' to understand more deeply terminology used within the book, also addition terms useful within any canine or animal behavior study/interest. Illustrated too.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews