When a pet owner or a foster reaches out to me for assistance with their pup, I have a list of educational materials that I typically recommend. Many of the most common behavior issues are a result of not fully understanding the genetic needs of the breed for the dog in question and the differences in communication between the human/canine species.
This is the start of my list of recommended educational materials easy for everyone to access even if you never have me help you with a dog.
This is the start of my list of recommended educational materials easy for everyone to access even if you never have me help you with a dog.
Miscellaneous VideosThe videos listed below have helpful information to help you better understand what you dog is trying to communicate as well as ones that are just interesting and explain a training process.
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How Do Dogs See with Their Nose's? https://youtu.be/p7fXa2Occ_U
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Body Language
We all know that humans communicate using speech and dogs don't. But dogs do communicate. They use their bodies to communicate happiness, excitement, uncertainty, fear, anxiety, curiosity and so much more. Sometimes the body language cues are very subtle, while others are obvious. We often misinterpret the cues they give us though, much like someone just starting out learning a new language. How many times have you heard stories of someone asking where to find a restaurant only to find out later that they were unintentionally asking where the restroom was? It's no different with dogs.
When beginning formal training with our canine companions, it is important that we learn how to spot when they might be nervous, tired or are having fun and want to keep going. Training will have an element of stress to it, but no more than what naturally comes with learning something new!
Dogs are great at communicating what they are feeling, what other dogs and even humans are feeling. The challenge is that we don’t always pick up on the subtle body language cues they are giving us, or the combination of cues is difficult to interpret. Just like us, some dogs just don’t know what they want or what they don’t want. Below are links to some videos that help explain dog body language. Please view all three videos before your first session as we will be watching during the training process for any signs that your dog may need to take a break, do something different.
Our job as pet parents or fosters is to be very clear with how we communicate with the dogs in our care and work to learn what they are communicating to us. There are links below to videos you can watch that give various examples of dog body language, and you will receive handouts with additional information to help translate some of the more common cues. I will call out the body language cues during classes and encourage you to as well to help with looking for those cues, recognizing them, and bringing value to what our dogs and others are trying to communicate with us about how they are feeling in response to the world around them.
When beginning formal training with our canine companions, it is important that we learn how to spot when they might be nervous, tired or are having fun and want to keep going. Training will have an element of stress to it, but no more than what naturally comes with learning something new!
Dogs are great at communicating what they are feeling, what other dogs and even humans are feeling. The challenge is that we don’t always pick up on the subtle body language cues they are giving us, or the combination of cues is difficult to interpret. Just like us, some dogs just don’t know what they want or what they don’t want. Below are links to some videos that help explain dog body language. Please view all three videos before your first session as we will be watching during the training process for any signs that your dog may need to take a break, do something different.
Our job as pet parents or fosters is to be very clear with how we communicate with the dogs in our care and work to learn what they are communicating to us. There are links below to videos you can watch that give various examples of dog body language, and you will receive handouts with additional information to help translate some of the more common cues. I will call out the body language cues during classes and encourage you to as well to help with looking for those cues, recognizing them, and bringing value to what our dogs and others are trying to communicate with us about how they are feeling in response to the world around them.
- Identifying Dog Body Lanuage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBjNo_qADqg
- The Zoom Room Guide to Dog Body Languag: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00_9JPltXHI
- The Zoom Room Guide to Dog Play Gestures: https://youtu.be/TY8NpMm2OVA
- Dog Communication: Dog Body Language https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i33WRZaRwaA
DVD's & Books
Below is a list of books that I recommend for all of my clients to read. These books are not required reading, though they will help you better understand and communicate with your dog.
The books on this list can be rented for $6. Upon return of the book, you will get $5 back. The DVD's are not yet available for rent.
The books on this list can be rented for $6. Upon return of the book, you will get $5 back. The DVD's are not yet available for rent.
The Language of Dogs by Sarah Kalnaj
Dogs don’t talk with words. Instead, they use body language to communicate to others of their own species. Because this is their natural communication method, they are highly skilled at reading humans as well. A large portion of issues seen in dogs is very closely connected to how humans handle and even approach dogs, so knowing what to do or what not to do will help ease some of the stresses your dog may experience when around humans and other dogs.
This two DVD set shows various types of dog body language along with explanations of what you are seeing and what the dog is trying to communicate. This DVD set does not tell you how to solve problems. Buy on Amazon
Dogs don’t talk with words. Instead, they use body language to communicate to others of their own species. Because this is their natural communication method, they are highly skilled at reading humans as well. A large portion of issues seen in dogs is very closely connected to how humans handle and even approach dogs, so knowing what to do or what not to do will help ease some of the stresses your dog may experience when around humans and other dogs.
This two DVD set shows various types of dog body language along with explanations of what you are seeing and what the dog is trying to communicate. This DVD set does not tell you how to solve problems. Buy on Amazon
Meet Your Dog by Kim Brophey
Even longtime dog owners will learn something new from this book. Kim does a fantastic job of introducing you to dogs as a species, what scientists have learned about how dogs learn, grow and what makes them special. She also walks you through brief descriptions of the various breed categories, what makes them great for some people, not great others and what they were designed to do.
Did you know the German Shepherd was bred to herd livestock? Did you know Yorkies were bred to hunt and kill rats? There are so many other fascinating things you will learn from this book about the canine you care for. Buy on Amazon
Even longtime dog owners will learn something new from this book. Kim does a fantastic job of introducing you to dogs as a species, what scientists have learned about how dogs learn, grow and what makes them special. She also walks you through brief descriptions of the various breed categories, what makes them great for some people, not great others and what they were designed to do.
Did you know the German Shepherd was bred to herd livestock? Did you know Yorkies were bred to hunt and kill rats? There are so many other fascinating things you will learn from this book about the canine you care for. Buy on Amazon
On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas
Turid Rugaas does a fantastic job of making such an informative book a easy read. It is packed full of pictures and descriptions of body language dogs use to calm themselves and/or those around them. It is important that us canine caretakers know what these signals are to help make our charges feel more comfortable in any situation. Buy on Amazon
Turid Rugaas does a fantastic job of making such an informative book a easy read. It is packed full of pictures and descriptions of body language dogs use to calm themselves and/or those around them. It is important that us canine caretakers know what these signals are to help make our charges feel more comfortable in any situation. Buy on Amazon
The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs by Patricia McConnell
Humans and dogs are two very different species. One likes the closeness of others, the other likes to hold, hug and embrace the other. Somehow, these two species collide, and it can create a wonderful partnership or a train wreck. Patricia looks at why we behave the way we do around dogs, why we love them, why the relationship works or why it doesn’t and what we can do to strengthen the bond between human and canine. Buy on Amazon
Humans and dogs are two very different species. One likes the closeness of others, the other likes to hold, hug and embrace the other. Somehow, these two species collide, and it can create a wonderful partnership or a train wreck. Patricia looks at why we behave the way we do around dogs, why we love them, why the relationship works or why it doesn’t and what we can do to strengthen the bond between human and canine. Buy on Amazon
Want to know how you can get started? Go check out the Dog Training Services page
Do you have more questions? Contact me here!
Learn more about me, tips, favorite dog related gear by checking out my Blog: Canines & Coffee
Do you have more questions? Contact me here!
Learn more about me, tips, favorite dog related gear by checking out my Blog: Canines & Coffee