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. [...]]]>

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.