Canine Body Language

[MolassesLass]

Say you had someone who's never owned or lived with a dog who wanted to learn how to read dogs (behaviour between each other and with humans). How do you think it would be best for them to go about it?

Also, do you agree with the descriptions of the diagrams on this page?

[Poodle wrangler]

I have a book called, "Dog training in 10 minutes" by Carol Lea Benjamin and it's a good book for beginners. Don't worry, she's not suggesting you get a trained dog after only 10 minutes, but goes through some routines and basic things for the canine good citizen in 10 minute chunks. Easy to read and easy to understand. No harsh methods used, though she doesn't use food. Leadership well explained.

I found it hard to relate to the diagrams on the link. My perspective is as a pet owner (had dogs most of life) but not at a trainer's level.

[laffi]

I recommend this book:

ON TALKING TERMS WITH DOGS: CALMING SIGNALS

http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTB527

[Tibbiemax71]

The pics look pretty spot on to me, from what I have witnessed in the dogs I see at the pound that I visit regularly.

[BJean]

Say you had someone who's never owned or lived with a dog who wanted to learn how to read dogs (behaviour between each other and with humans). How do you think it would be best for them to go about it?

The person could read up on the theory, but in my opinion, learning how to read dogs behaviour without being familiar wth / living with or owning a dog, is akin to 'learning' how to ride a horse, without actually doing it.

ie: could get a text and read away, but unless you have experience in picking up cues, and responding in turn, all you have in your head is pictures of diagrams or paragraphs desribing theory, but no actual working understanding.

That said, as part of the process in beginning to learn about 'reading' dogs, I would recommend some basic 101 reading material

ie: http://www.dogwise.com/Item_Inside.cfm?ID=...&curImage=3

"DOG LANGUAGE: AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CANINE BEHAVIOR" by Roger Avantes

Most of what I have learned about my dogs and their behaviour is through experience - in particular getting through a difficullt or challenging situation. IMO theory doesn't 'sink in' until you have some practical experience of your own to draw upon. Certainly reading resources provide an essential backdrop to begin to form a perspective from, but real life feedback and interaction with the focus of your subject matter is essential

Edited September 29, 2007 by lilli

[KittyKat]

lilli... the amount of times people have told me they could ride a horse and when I've put them on... they really meant they could "sit" on a horse without freaking out!

Dog language is something I'm learning as I go along as it tends to differ from animal to animal