On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals

by Turid Rugaas

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.

Genres: Dogs, Nonfiction, Animals, Science, Reference, Psychology, Education

78 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Turid Rugaas is an internationally renowned trainer and writer who has devoted her life to dogs, their behavior and their well-being.

The Norwegian dog trainer has worked with dogs for many years and studied the body language of dogs for more than a decade. After a project where Turid and a colleague observed dogs carefully, recording their behaviour on video and in photographs, she became well-known around the world for her work on the calming signals. And Turid Rugaas is now one of the world's leading experts on dog behavior.

In the critically acclaimed book On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals, she shares with us her insights on the fascinating world of communication between dogs, as well as dogs and their owners.

Turid lives and works in Norway where she owns and runs a dog training school, Hagen Hundeskole. Being a popular speaker, she is spending more time abroad than at home, speaking and presenting programs at conferences, seminars and workshops.

Reviews

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet, this booklet should be required reading for anyone who interacts with dogs (that's a lot of people). A big paradigm shift occurs when you start noticing the many, many times that your dog says "that makes me feel uncomfortable" or "could you please stop doing that". It's a shift away from "don't worry, he's fine" to "hey there buddy, are you okay"? We expect an awful lot of dogs, but aren't the best at listening to them and respecting their actual needs.

Though the content is very fresh and important, the presentation and length were a tad frustrating for me. Some odd things happened in the translation from Norwegian to English, so sometimes a sentence is confusing or the wording inappropriate. I especially would have liked (a) even more photographic examples of each signal and (b) counterexamples of when (and why) lip-licking or turning of the head are not calming signals, due to the context in which they are observed. Both of these concerns are addressed somewhat in the accompanying DVD (sold separately), but the DVD is itself a little shorter on narration than could be hoped.

All in all: excellent information, slightly lacking presentation.

[Nelia Tiuriaieva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am inspired and sad in the same time! I'm sad because of all the mistakes I did with my dog. About all the stress, that I was a source of. It is one of the most useful and important books in my life. Thanks a lot, Turid!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dog trainer is great! Her years of observing canine behavior are the basis for her explanation of calming signals and how they can be used for better communication with your dog. There’s a lot in here about body language, how calming signals can be misinterpreted as misbehavior, and how our own body language and tone of voice can cause stress for our dogs.

There are lots of photos of dogs demonstrating calming signals: turning their heads or bodies away from what’s stressing them out, blinking or yawning, approaching at a curve rather than head-on, slowing down movements (we used to have a dog who would get up and verry slowlly walk out of the room when we were arguing—we always anthropomorphized it as a kind of rebuke, but I’m sure this trainer would say he was trying to calm us down).

Some signals are very easy for humans to do (blinking, yawning, turning away) and some aren’t (tail wagging), but there’s a lot you can do, using their own body language, to help your dog feel more comfortable.

There’s a very strong recurring message of “don’t be a jerk to your dog (she phrases it better)—you may not realize you’re doing it. She wants to steer people away from popular training techniques based on leadership and commands.

Until now, much of the relationship has consisted of a one-way communication: I, the owner, tell you what to do and you do what I say. This has nothing to do with a relationship…If you want your dog to respect you, you must also respect your dog. A good relationship is based on two-way communication, and living together in a well-balanced togetherness.

“Well-balanced togetherness”—isn’t that a nice phrase?

This book isn’t going to solve all the issues people have with their dogs, but I think it’s provides an important foundation for building trust, which you pretty much need for any training you need to do.

It takes so little to be friendly to a dog, and the result can be so overwhelmingly huge. You always have the choice of being threatening or calming. To me, the choice is easy.

[Jes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but good read, with some great photographs. The basic premise is that dogs are naturally social, cooperative animals who want to live in social harmony with fellow dogs (and/or with their human "pack"). Dogs have developed a nuanced language for communicating that they are friendly and nonthreatening. These "calming signals" (Rugaas's term) are typically used as preventative measures (dogs use them when greeting or passing each other to prevent conflict from breaking out) or as deescalation tactics, to calm down a situation that is getting tense or uncomfortable. Calming signals are a way of communicating the dog's intention to others, but they also seem to be self-soothing techniques that help the dog calm their own nervous system.

Some calming signals seem to be inborn (Rugaas notes that puppies begin using yawning as a calming signal within a few hours of birth) but others are learned or honed through extensive social contact with other dogs. This is a big part of why early socialization is so critical for puppies, because meeting lots of other dogs (esp mature, emotionally well-adjusted dogs) helps them collect lots of social 'data' on canine communication techniques. Puppies who are raised by their mothers (or who receive a lot of early, positive socialization experiences) tend to grow up to become much calmer, more well-adjusted dogs.

Dogs can "lose" this form of language if they aren't properly socialized, or if they are punished by humans for using these signals. Unfortunately, humans typically don't know how to read calming signals. People will often misinterpret certain signs (such as sniffing the ground, looking away, or moving in a curving line instead of coming straight back to us) as defiance, when in fact what's happening is that the dog senses the human's anger, feels uncomfortable and worried, and is trying to use calming signals to defuse tension or to communicate that they mean no harm. (This made me so sad!!! On the trail and in my agility class, I often see people yelling at their dogs or scolding them for doing many of the behaviors described in this book. And I have often been guilty of interpreting Pip sniffing the ground or turning his back to me as him deliberately ignoring me, when actually it sounds like he's responding to the frustration in my body language or voice.)

One thing I found super interesting: Rugaas has found that humans can actually use calming signals too, and dogs will be able to "read" them.

Here are some of the most common calming signals:

1. Turning head to the side. Making direct eye contact is impolite and might even be perceived as threatening. Dogs will turn their head to the side when meeting to calm the other dog and assure them that their intentions are good. (This signal may also express that they are uncomfortable and are wanting to calm down a potentially tense interaction.) When dogs do make direct eye contact, they use a relaxed gaze, letting the eyelids droop and the eyes go soft. Apparently the direct eye contact thing is why dogs don't like to look directly at a camera! This calming signal is one that humans can use too. (I actually found this really interesting because so many people train a "look at me" signal where the dog is expected to maintain direct, unblinking eye contact. If that is actually really uncomfortable for the dog, I wonder if there's an alternate attention behavior that could be trained instead?)

2. Licking their lips. Dogs do this to express that they're feeling a little uncomfortable or worried. They might use it if someone is hugging them too tightly or if they're in an unfamiliar environment and are feeling on edge. Licking is a way of communicating that discomfort while also calming themselves down. Humans can lick their lips too as a calming signal.

3. Yawning! Apparently this is a great one for humans to do with dogs. If you are meeting a new dog who seems a little skittish or on edge, you can do big, relaxed yawns repeatedly while averting or softening your gaze to show that you're not a threat. Other people can yawn when they meet your dog too to make them feel more comfortable.

4. Splitting up. If two dogs are getting rowdy or are having a face-off that seems tense, often another dog will come over to split things up. The third dog is basically saying, "hey guys, chill out, let's take a breather," and they're also positioning themselves so that they can intervene if they need to. Older dogs will often do this instinctively to protect puppies or smaller dogs. You can do this for your dog by calmly putting yourself between them and something that is making them uncomfortable (another dog, a person, the source of a scary noise, etc.). It just helps the dog feel more secure.

5. Turning to the side or turning one's back to someone else. (I've definitely seen puppies and young dogs do this while playing -- when things are getting too wild, they'll start backing into each other or turning halfway to the side, as a way of deescalating the intensity of play.) You can also turn your back to your dog or turn to the side as a calming signal -- this can help puppies calm down and stop jumping.

6. Sniffing. This one was so interesting! I've often noticed that when Pip sees another dog from a distance while we're out on a walk, he will immediately veer off to the side and begin sniffing at the grass. I always thought that he was checking to see if the dog had marked there (which wouldn't really make sense, bc often the dog is approaching us head on?) but it turns out that this is actually him communicating across a distance to the other dog. Sniffing the ground, turning slightly to the side, and curving as he approaches the other dog on the sidewalk are all ways that he communicates he's not a threat.

7. Lying down/lying still. Pip also does this one -- when he's off leash, if he sees another dog in the clearing or further up the trail, he will lie down in the grass and wait for them to approach. Then (apparently once he's received a calming signal from the other dog) he'll spring up and run towards them in a curving line to play. If dogs are closer to each other and sense that the other dog is a little uncomfortable, they'll also sometimes drop down and lie still for as long as it takes the other dog to start showing more positive/less tense body language.

8. Moving slowly. Apparently you should never run at your dog (and you should generally try to avoid moving towards them in a straight line, with outstretched grabby hands). Dogs will often begin moving very, very slowly as they approach a new dog or person, which is a way of communicating that they're not going to attack.

I also learned that it can actually be scary for your dog to be kept on a too-tight leash when they are encountering an unfamiliar dog or person. This is because they don't have enough room to perform the appropriate calming signals, so they can't communicate to the new dog that they are nonthreatening or adequately read/receive calming signals from the other dog. You also shouldn't drag your dog into meeting another dog, or pull them forward if they are reluctant to move past the other dog on the sidewalk. Not only is this physically painful and unpleasant for the dog, it also forces them to perform a lot of behaviors that stress them out (and might read as threatening to the other dog), like moving quickly forward in a straight line, without being able to turn their head or body to the side.

This book was recommended in Jane Killion's When Pigs Fly: Training Success with Impossible Dogs, which I finished last night and cannot praise highly enough!!

[María Greene F · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mí me gustan mucho los animales, pero le tengo miedo a los perrines desde que uno me mordió cuando era chica. No es un miedo corrosivo, y puedo ir sola por la calle sin despertar la animadversión de nuevos perrines, gracias a que alguna vez leí que era mi propia agitación la que podía asustarlos, y a que desde entonces cuido mucho mi postura física, y lo que expreso con ella.

Este librito fue crema de cicatrización sobre aquella herida vieja (aunque todavía te juzgo, Bilbo, yo tenía solamente diez años). En su bondad me permitió mirar con nuevas luces al perro que entonces solo conocí tras la máscara del ataque, en mi traumatizada infancia... me permitió darme cuenta que, quizá, estaba tan confundido que yo, y que mi correr lo tomó como una provocación (gasp). Esto porque el librito explica de una manera sencilla, matemática, casi obvia, cómo son todos los perros y por qué actuán como lo hacen, y lo mejor es que se hace de una manera en que chorrea amor:

Sí, tenemos futuro, perritos que adoptaré cuando tenga jardín.

Creo que es una lectura recomendable para todos. Para evitar malentendidos desde un principio. Y para apreciar a los canes, como se merecen todos los animales que existen bajo el sol.

Es súper cortito, agregaré. Súper. Pero cumple con lo que promete.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

second review, June 2024: An interesting little book! Mostly it's like, yawn, and turn to the side. That's how you calm a dog, and that's how they try to calm you if they don't like what's going on.

I actually pulled this book out because Myrtle snaps her little jaws at us sometimes and I was wondering what that meant. I think she mostly does it when we're not facing her so I guess she just wants to get our attention? She also barks at us when her dinner is late which I find hilarious.

first review, June 2014: This was interesting. It made me feel badly about how we train Indiana, a little bit. I think that she is actually worse at interacting with other dogs than when we first got her, and I think that that is our fault: now that we know she has the capacity to get all hot & bothered, we tense up when another dog comes around, and proactively try to discipline her before she actually does something wrong. I'm trying to untrain myself and deal with the situation in other ways, because of reading this book.

This book is really simplistic in a lot of ways, and not all that practical for day-to-day life (as opposed to controlled interactions.) But I still think it will be really helpful.

Also I totally want to look like the author when I grow up. Crazy long gray hair, Scandinavian sweaters. Talking to dogs. You know.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Turid Rugaas brings a whole new perspective to dog rehabilitation. This is a must-read for EVERY dog owner. I purchased this book along with the DVD. The DVD sure helps Turid solidify her points. I have an "ambassador" dog much like Turid's that helps me rehab the rescue dogs I foster. Much of what he does she talks about in this book, and here I was thinking I was crazy (well, that's what people tell me, anyway.) If you do rescue work, you are doing a disservice to the dogs you foster (and your own personal dogs) if you do not fully understand Turid's points. Read it over and over until you get it straight because the dogs you rescue are so worth it! This isn't really a "traininig" book, but Turid's observations/beliefs on how a dog thinks can help you calm a dog in training and making the session much more successful, and in turn brings the relationship with your dog to a true partnership. Love it! (Did not give it a full 5 stars because of quality for the price. This book and the DVD are pretty pricey, but worth it!)

[Yani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview of signals dogs use to communicate with the world around them. Especially to de-escalate situations and make the other party feel at ease. The book goes on to explain how you should interpret them, but also how to use them to talk to your dog.

[KatieMc · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned quite a bit about various dog behaviors me, such as lip licking and head turning. Very helpful. The author says you can communicate back to the dog doing the same thing, like yawing or head turning. But LOL when she says that she hasn't figured out to wag her tail yet.

[Gayathri · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful and practical book that gives a sneak peek into the world of canine communication. I experienced it almost as a lab manual. I would read Turid's explanations and then observe the dogs on walks. Such a fun way to keep going back to the book and learning more.
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of her books and being a better dog parent.

[Sarah ♥ dog crazy ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book and a must for every dog owner or in general people who have to deal with dogs.

Turid Rugaas describes the calming signals and gives several examples from her experience as a dog trainer.

[Kelsey DePorte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the most important book for understanding dogs. I feel like my view of dog behaviour is forever changed. It really is the closest thing you can get to talking with animals. Highly recommend to anyone that has a dog!

[Stephen Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little booklet training manual is a one-trick pony about calming signals for dogs, but it covers that topic very well. It goes through each calming signal and then has pictures to show dogs using them. Most often it is about one dog calming another dog to reduce stress of meeting, to reduce their own stress, or to reduce your stress that is being transferred to the dog.

I think the signals discussed in the book are critical to being a ‘dog-whisperer.’ All of us around dogs much have seen most of the behaviors but may not have identified each one individually. Most people probably do not know that they work when we do similar behavior and how it can calm a dog. Here is the list of signals:
Head turning – can be swift movement or held to one side for a longer period
Softening the eyes – lowering the lids so as not to be staring in a more threatening way
Turning away – turning the side or back to someone is very calming
Licking the nose – can also be a very quick movement of the tongue
Freezing – your dog may freeze, stopping, standing, sitting, or lying still like when a larger dog comes up too close
Walking slowly, using slow movements – when movements become slower, maybe hardly moving at all, can have a very calming affect
Play Bow – can be an invitation to play, but if he stands still in a bow the possibility of it being a calming signal is high
Sitting down – your dog may sit when another dog is making him feel uncertain
Down – while laying down belly up is a submissive posture, just laying down is a calming to the dog and other dogs
Yawning – dogs yawn in different situations to calm themselves and is one of the first ones puppies use
Curving – walking in a curve or at a little distance from another dog with most dogs not usually going directly
Splitting up – physically putting one’s body between dogs or people is a calming signal

Some of them I had heard before. I was told best when greeting a dog to kneel down and angle your body away from a dog and let them come to you. I knew about yawning around a dog to help calm the dog, and the book even remarks it is the signal most people find fun to use. I like to think of yawning as saying, 'I am so non-threatening and confident that I don't have to bother with you or you bother me so much so that I am bored and relaxed.'

Most people know not to directly stare at a dog, but may not think to send calming signals to a dog for different situations by; turning their head, turning their body at an angle, sitting down, having guests sit down, or maybe even lying down on a couch.

Most people have also probably heard that a good way to introduce their dog to another dog is while walking, but the suggestion to walk with several people in between the dogs isn’t something I previously had thought of adding.

So good book for the topic is covers. We just need to be observant and experiment with the different signals and see what helps calm our dog or other dogs and use it to help. Love to hear any comments and tips you can share.

[Grada (BoekenTrol) · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're getting a puppy in a few weeks and we're preparing ourselves for raising it in a good way.

When I lived at home I was around 3 different dogs (breed, gender and temperament) and I'm curious to find out what our puppy will grow to be.

My family kept the dogs with lots of love, care and attention, but there were no 'scientific' reasons to do or not do things.
Now with our own dog I want to learn more about how dogs communicate themselves and how interaction between (strange) dogs is regulated.

For me this book is perfect for that purpose. It explains the signals dogs use, what they mean and what their effect is.
Because there's not really a training portion, I'm challenged to watch closely and get to know my puppy, as well as watch other dogs in their behavior, both towards my dog as well as in a larger pack. That way the learning is more hands on than 'knowledge from a book's, which I prefer.

I'll be returning to this book from time to time. It'll have a prominent place on one of my shelves.

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sin ninguna duda este es un gran libro para todos los amantes de los animales, y especialmente de los perros.

Comprendiendo las señales de calma, ancestras, no permite no sólo identificar cómo se siente cualquier perro si no, además, resolver conflictos y mejorar el día a día del hombre y el animal, haciendo desaparecer el estrés en situaciones que les estresan y no se pueden evitar (ruido de trenes, de tráfico, otros perros, fuegos artificiales, etc.)

He empezado a usar ya este lenguaje con mis propios perros y me he quedado maravilladla cuando he visto a nuestra pastora alemana, que siempre nos saluda pegando saltos hasta los hombros y cuya conducta no hemos podido corregir en 5 años, entender perfectamente mi situación y pararse en seco y dar un rodeo para llegar a mi, sentándose en mi flanco y mandándome señales de calma para aliviar mi nerviosismo.

Un clásico que no puede faltar en ninguna biblioteca de amante de los perros :)

[Eva 'Nomad' · Rating 5 out of 5]

Това е най-известната книга на Турид Ругос, наистина основополагащ труд. Покрива т.нар. "calming signals" - знаците, чрез които кучетата показват едно на друго, че не представляват заплаха, или че се чувстват неудобно в някаква ситуация. Много собственици подценяват до каква степен кучето търси и гледа в нас за езика на тялото и понякога при страхливи и агресивни кучета един поглед може да е разликата между успешна терапия и нападение. Препоръчвам я много на всички, които се интересуват от кучешко поведение. Единственото, което ми хрумва като недостатък, е че някои сигнали са доста общи жестове (сядане например) и начинаещ може да се изкуши във всяка дреболия да вижда такъв сигнал, но с опит и наблюдение се отсяват.

[Fany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Génial. Le meilleur livre que j'ai lu pour comprendre les signaux d'apaisement, comment les chiens les utilisent et comment les utiliser en tant qu'humain pour interagir avec ton chien. C'est vrai que maintenant je suis addicte à détecter les signaux qui font tous les chiens... Probablement je vais le lire plus d'une fois ce livre. Je le recommande à tous les maîtres afin de savoir aussi comment interagir avec les chiens des autres.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Все понятно и доступно, настольная книга каждого собачника или просто человека, который хочет с собаками общаться.

Поняла, что неверно общалась со щенком в некоторых ситуациях, буду стараться исправлять это и помогать ему адаптироваться к жизни с нами и к миру снаружи.

[Ганна Кузьо · Rating 5 out of 5]

Чудова книжечка про ази поведінки собак, зокрема про сигнали примирення у собак. Як їх навчитись бачити, розуміти та застосовувати для комунікації із собакою. Дуже шкода, що нема цієї книги українською. Треба!)

[William Conti · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Se tu parli con gli animali, loro parleranno con te e vi conoscerete reciprocamente.
Se tu non parli con loro non li conoscerai e ciò che non conosci ti farà paura.
Ciò che si teme, si distrugge."

[Liza · Rating 5 out of 5]

мне было скучновато, но только потому что я знаю базу про сигналы примирения. ОБЯЗАТЕЛЬНО надо читать всем, кто ничего не знает про позитивную кинологию/собак. или просто хочет лучше общаться с животными, без насилия и говна

[pearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Why do we people so easily turn to violence?"

[Maeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been yawning so much at Tally. It might be working

[beesp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Con la mia nuova relazione illuminata con la mia Afrodite, non priva di errori e fraintendimenti, ho appreso soprattutto una cosa: che cercare di fare le cose diversamente da com'è consueto, abitudine, tradizione, è la battaglia più dura e difficile che ciascuno di noi possa affrontare, anche se lo si vuole fare individualmente e privatamente, perché arriverà qualcuno che penserà di dover intromettersi nel tuo progetto, nella tua relazione, nel tuo obiettivo e spiegarti come fare meglio, secondo il suo modello. Scandalizzato, qualcuno ti chiederà a un tavolo del bar perché pensi che sia meglio non urlare o non tirare schiaffi ai tuoi cani - e da questo non sono esclusi neanche i bambini - e quando tu ti tratterrai dallo schiaffeggiare loro per la loro presunzione, la loro arroganza, e la loro ignoranza cattiva, avrei ricevuto una grande lezione di umiltà e civiltà, anche se difficilmente con la tua sola parola li avrai convinti che no, non è il caso di urlare contro e picchiare quegli individui che non sanno fare meglio o diversamente le cose.
Me lo immagino come sarà stato per Turid Rugaas, di cui scrivevo già nella mia recensione a "E l'uomo incontrò il cane" di Konrad Lorenz, quando avrà dovuto spiegare ai primi suoi colleghi increduli che no, il cane non sbadiglia soltanto perché è annoiato o stanco, e quando avrà dovuto affrontare tutti i suoi clienti che, inizialmente, strattonavano al guinzaglio, sgridavano e forzavano i loro cani in determinate situazioni di disagio, fastidio, fatica.
Purtroppo il fatto è che la nostra società non è affatto sensibile o pensata per ciò che è "diverso". Un tempo, i nostri antenati hanno saputo addomesticare e avvicinare gli antenati dei nostri cani e gatti, e, sostiene Rugaas, ed io con lei concordo, lo hanno fatto con la benevolenza di genitori che se ne dovessero prendere cura. Ma noi abbiamo scelto una strada, abbiamo scelto di non costituirci civilità in quanto comunione di individui che soccorrono gli altri. No, siamo civiltà e società per ciò che produciamo e abbiamo.
Un po' triste, a pensarci. Io sono nostalgica della benevolenza, penso anche i nostri cani e gatti.

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich bin positiv überrascht von dem Buch.

Es ist überhaupt nicht trocken geschrieben, sondern nimmt vielmehr seine Leser*innen an die Hand und führt sie anschaulich in die Welt der Beschwichtigungsssignale der Hunde ein.

Das Buch ist dabei leicht verständlich geschrieben und reichlich bebildert. Beispiele runden alles ab.

Für mich als Hunde-Interessierte war das Buch eine kleine Offenbarung. Ich werde zukünftig deutlich mehr auf kleine Anzeichen achten.

Ich denke, jede*r Hunde-Anfänger*in sollte dieses Buch gelesen haben, aber auch langjährige Hundehalter*innen, die sich noch nicht mit dem Thema beschäftigt haben, werden sicherlich einige interessante Passagen für sich finden.

Das Buch ist ein Hardcover und liegt sehr gut in der Hand. Die Bilder sind nicht von übermäßig guter Qualität, was mich aber nicht gestört hat, weil es kein Bildband ist und die wesentlichen Dinge gut erkennbar sind.

Ich war überrascht, wie schnell ich das Buch durchgelesen hatte. Trotzdem hat sich mir schon viel eingeprägt. Ich werde aber sicher immer mal wieder zu dem Buch greifen, um etwas nachzulesen.

[Liisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"There is no, absolutely NO excuse for scaring a dog. Dogs are survivors. They defend themselves when they feel threatened. ... By telling your dog you are friendly, it does not need to feel insecure in your presence. It can change the whole relationship with your dog."

Leave it to a Norwegian to advocate a peaceful, respectful and empathetic approach to training and living with dogs, by learning to understand, read, and use their language. We expect dogs to adapt to our way of living and communicating, and they do astoundingly well -- but many "bad" dog behaviours come from cross-species misunderstandings. Turid Rugaas suggests we think of our role in training as a parental one rather than that of a leader or disciplinarian or 'alpha'. This slim volume is plentifully illustrated with photos of dogs exhibiting calming behaviours and postures in order to lower stress, deflect aggression, and signal peaceful intentions. Particularly useful for those of us with nervous or fearful dogs!

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for anyone who loves and/or lives with a dog. Norwegian trainer Turid Rugaas' simple but clear explanation of the many "calming signals" that dogs offer us (and other dogs) will transform your relationship with your dog. Deeply reinforcing and helpful. I plan to return to this tiny book many times, just as a reminder to keep gentleness, observation, and respect at the heart of my relationship with my dog.

[Laura Huelin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Básico pero exhaustivo, profundo pero sin ser redundante, personal y con un montón de ejemplos. Es un libro imprescindible para cualquiera que trate con perros o al que le gusten los perros. En tan pocas páginas va a cambiar (siempre a mejor) la relación que tienes con ellos y cómo los entiendes.

[Anja · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 stars
I do believe in calming signals, but a lot of the described behaviours can be calming signals in certain situations and something different in others. Turid makes it sound like nearly all dog behaviours are calming signals.

[Books Lucy King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skvělé, zajímavé, informativní čtení o psí komunikaci a jak ji může sám člověk využít k lepšímu porozumění mezi ním a pejskem. Něco málo už jsem znala, ale autorka mi přiměla to uchopit z jiného úhlu pohledu a využít to lépe. A samozřejmě jsem si doplnila hromadu dalších informací. Čtení je to vhodné jak pro lidi, kteří mají problémového psa, tak pro ty, kteří mají toho nejposlušnějšího :) Mně jakožto majiteli psa velmi nervózního, hromádka nervů prostě, bez sebevědomí, s traumaty, si myslím, že cvičení této komunikace nám dost pomůže. Už dnes jsem něco malinko zkoušela a určitá odezva tam byla :) Jsem nadšená a chci toto zkoumat dál.