For part 2 in my “recommendation series”, I chose On Talking Terms With Dogs. I first heard about this book when I was in animal massage school. We watched a DVD of Turid Rugaas working with dogs and it was quite an eye opener. I promptly bought the book and read it in one sitting. I can tell you I was thrilled the first time I tried the “yawning technique” and it immediately worked. I’ve used that tactic many times over the years, and it never fails.

On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals
by Turid Rugaas

Norwegian dog trainer Turid Rugaas has worked with dogs and studied their body language and behavior for most of her life.

In this book, she shares what she has learned and teaches us how we can communicate with dogs on their terms. She observed that wolves and dogs use what she calls calming or cutoff signals to stop aggressive behavior before it starts. Dogs use these techniques both to calm themselves down in a stressful situation, as well as when communicating with other dogs.

Notice how dogs yawn when they are uncomfortable with the situation. You can apply that behavior as well to help your dog calm down; start yawning repeatedly and you’ll see your dog eventually settling down. This tiny book is packed with advice and ways that you can use different calming signals in your own communication with canids.

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And even if you are not interested in animal massage at all, the books I have selected are wonderful resources for any pet owner or anyone who wants to improve their communication with and understand animals better.

So far, there are 4 categories: Books, Magazines, Products, and Dr. Bach Flower Essences. I will be adding to this on a regular basis, and I will also be posting reviews of the products listed. Here is the first one:

The Other End of the Leash
by Patricia McConnell

This is a wonderful book filled with invaluable advice for anyone hoping to understand their own (or their client’s) dog(s) better. Reading this book makes you very aware of your own actions, how you behave around dogs, and how the smallest gesture you make can make a big difference to a dog.

We are after all different species, and what’s acceptable to you might not be to your dog. Hugging is a great example: we hug our dogs because we love them so very much and they’re so cute, but to a dog, a hug is a very aggressive action. And even though most pets take this human behavior in stride, their first instinct is to growl, or even bite the offender.

Applied Animal Behaviorist Patricia McConnell is a very entertaining and humorous writer who teaches “The Biology and Philosophy of Human/Animal Relationships” at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and gives seminars and speeches all over the world.

The book has lots of examples, stories and case studies; some will make you smile, some will make you cry, but all of them will teach you to interact with dogs in a whole new (and better) way. There are many “aha”, “of course” and “why didn’t I think of that” moments when reading this book. A very enjoyable “must read” for anyone with a serious interest in dogs.

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