Customer Reviews

How to Speak Dog

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

By far, this is the best book I've read to date that's provided a complete understanding of my dog and her behavior. I couldn't believe how many dog "body postures" I've been misinterpreting. I tried using a few of the "signals" explained in the book on my dog that another dog would use to communicate - and my dog actually seemed to understand. She definitely reacted the way I thought she would! Every dog owner should read this book. I also believe this book should be required reading for anyone who works in a shelter setting or in any capacity where they're dealing with strange dogs. A big thanks to Stanley Coran for improving and enhancing my relationship with my Rottie-mix, Molly!

This is the greeatest book I have ever read about dog language. The way Stanley Coren have build up the book is perfect, for both beginners, and people who already know, how to speak dog.

It is put up in a way so that you read about different bodyparts communications in different chapters. Face talk, body talk, eye talk, ear talk and so on. Each signal from the dog, whether it is a tail wag or a growl is being translated to Human language, so that you better can understand the meaning, ( "If you dont back off, I will fight you" ) even when you have finish the book, you will rememeber the meaning.
The book also gives you a big laugh, when Stanley Coren tells about his own experiments with dogs.

The book is also wery easy to read for "not american " people.
I know because I am from Denmark.

Read this book and learn "how to speak dog".........

This book had so much information, not just on dogs alone, but dogs and cats as well as how their behavior related to human, primate, and wolf behavior. Absolutely fascinating!

As a dog trainer and owner of 4 dogs (all of whom are geniuses I might add!), I found this book to be fascinating and to validate a lot of what I see in my daily dealings with dogs and people. Very readable and yet packed with important information. I recommend this to everyone who loves dogs!

Having bought this book when it first came out, and having bought many others since then with similar content but slightly different approaches, I came back to HOW TO SPEAK DOG when I was choosing a book to give to a young teen who had just adopted a German Shepherd from a Rescue Organization. Why? Quite simply, this books has wonderful drawings that give direct visual clues to the student of Dog-Speak which is essentially a marriage of vocalization and body langauge. In many cases, it is the placement of the Dog's ears, his posture and more that helps to communicate his needs and the simple yet charming illustrations give concrete examples of what your doggie should look like when he is saying "I wanna play" or "I'm scared and might bite."

Added to this enormous wealth of visual information is Coren's charming storytelling abilities. In each chapter, he draws on his own experiences with his dogs with obvious affection. This tenderness lends credibility to his explanations and also underscores the importance of understandig your dog's needs and motivations when assessing the meaning of the communcation in question. Coren also brings considerable experience in human affairs to the mix...being a practising Psychiatrist. He masterfully explains not just the rudimentary basics of learning to communicate with Fido and goes further to explore virtually ALL of the possible means by which Dogs communicate with us. Especially touching is his description towards the end of the book of the personal significance the sound of his own dogs' breathing in the quiet night has to him.

Mixed in with the discussions of the various woofs, howls and ear postions are some very charming anecdotes. Coren begins the book with a very amusing Russian "myth" about how Dog came to live with Adam and Eve after they were expelled from the Garden of Eden. I have retold that story to others and always gotten a laugh. In relating this story, Coren illustrates just how timeless and precious is the relationship between mankind and Dogs. This book is an excellent Doggie Dictionary for both beginning Dog Caregivers and experienced Dog lovers everywhere. You may find it necessary to keep extra copies on hand, since you may find yourself, as I have, constantly recommending this book and being further compelled to give your own copy away!

I've been reading everything I can get my hands on lately in order to better my relationship with my dog Annie. We both have a lot of work to do (me definitely more than her). We've been through obedience training (beginner's and advanced classes), and are now working on the problem areas and reinforcing what we've learned. There are a lot of books out there with really great information. This one resonated the most. I've recommended it to several dog owners and lovers I know. Although my problems with Annie might not be the same as yours and your dog(s), you will still benefit from Stanley Coren's insight and experience handling these wonderful creatures. I've read some of his other books, and this is my favorite. His solutions are humane, intelligent and they work. There are books out there that are still encouraging choke collars and "jerk corrections" - they are SO out of date. There is no need for ANY kind of rough or aggressive handling with a dog. Annie has responded incredibly well to the lessons I learned through "How to Speak Dog," I am a much more confident owner and trainer, and we are both happier. The other day I was walking Annie and a woman pulled over, got out of her car and asked if I was a dog trainer. Imagine that!!

Coren's catchy title leaves potential readers with the impression that they will learn how to to 'speak' to their dogs. However, this volume is mostly a rather academic study of what dogs are communicating to others (through their body language, vocalizations, etc.), as well as a presentation of general theories of language development and related research. While the reader may learn what the dog is trying to say to other dogs, animals, or humans, there is only a very small amount of attention devoted to how humans can use any of this information to communicate better with their dogs. ("The Horse Whisperer" gave much more information about how humans can use knowledge of a horse's methods of communication to make the communcation a two-way process.) Coren clearly understands dogs and what they are trying to tell us. However, the book does not really tell readers how to 'speak dog'; a better title would have been "What Your Dog is Trying to Tell You."

I have loved and grown up with dogs all my life. I came to understand much of what they try to say, but this book shed light upon the many shadows of misunderstanding we all have about dogs. Coren does an excellent job of helping dog lovers see what it's like from a dog's perspective and giving them a compassionate voice to us all. This book will give you an understanding that will make training, playing, interacting with your dog much easier and much more fun for you and doggie.

Another book I randomly plucked from the shelves of the local bookstore, I was expecting yet another shallow how-to book. But I was delightfully surprised to find exactly what I desired... a book which is truly about canine communication! Coren is in no way "wishy-washy" about the subject, nor does he dilute the doggy language in this book full of insight and thought provoking stories. Within its pages is an entire guide to understanding canine body language, verbal signals, and dog behavior. I would recommend this book to anyone who truly wants to understand their dog's communication!

But please note...
It is written in more of a "textbook" format, not "how-to." I personally prefer this type of book, and Coren's interjections of humorous stories and quotes make for interesting reading. I like this book because it is more of an understanding book and not a "quick fix."

This book is a must have for anyone who is really
interested in better communication with your dog.
I love it. I have a hard time putting it down.
Better than most dog books out there- a must have for your library!