Customer Reviews

Barking: The Sound of a Language (Dogwise Training Manual)

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3 star:		(1)
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Turid Rugaas's books are short and are written in a simple, conversational way. But Barking, like her other books, deserves many readings. She discusses five commonly identified natural kinds of barking and adds a sixth---learned barking. Her calm, kind approach to dogs and their people offers solutions to dog owners who are troubled by barking, and adds to all dog owners' understanding of their dogs. She emphasizes that dogs are expressing emotions through barking,shows how management can help reduce barking that is creating a problem for human beings, focuses on reducing stress in dogs' lives, and reminds readers that recognizing and respecting animals' emotions is necessary for us to be human.

I also read a great many dog books, and this is one of the best. Rugaas' descriptions are deceptively simple, and might appear to be nothing new. However, they portray barking as a language we simply don't speak, rather than as a problem to be solved.

Rugaas does provide solutions as well as descriptions and common causes for each type of barking.

This book is well worth the read, and for those of us who are dog trainers by profession or avocation, worth several reads over time. At the price, well worth it, and far better than many books at triple the price.

With every book she releases, my admiration for Turid Rugaas grows. Turid is a role model for others in the dog world to follow - her compassion for dogs and reminder to try to understand their perspective, rather than always imposing our needs, is so important. (For example, imposing our need for quiet by using shock collars rather than understanding that the dog is upset/frustrated/lonely.)

In "Barking," Rugaas focuses on an age-old topic. Yet, she does so in such a straight-forward, enlightened and enlighting way that even people who have read a myriad of behavior books can benefit. Her emphasis is on the mental state of the dog, and on how to view and address the underlying source of the barking. Sure, others have taken this approach, but Rugaas's presentation is so simple and plain spoken that I recommend her book above all others on the subject - and to *anyone* who wants insight into this form of canine communication, not just to those who have a barking "problem."

I am a dog owner with a strong interest in dog training and animal behavior and have read many excellent books on those subjects - but I find Turid Rugaas to have a very unique voice. The author believes that dogs are dogs and in our arrogance as humans we have lost sight of that fact; we humans try to train away every natural instinct a dog has and have no tolerance for 'failure' or 'disobediance'. In this book, instead of attacking barking as a training problem to be solved she reminds us that barking is a natural form of communication for dogs and provides tips for how we can listen to what they are trying to tell us. There are, of course, suggestions and methods provided for how to curb excessive or problem barking (and how to determine what problem/excessive barking really is), but essentially her message is, "less shouting, more tolerance and listen!". Another great thing about her books is that they are simple, clear and concise. The average dog owner can read through them quickly and start using the techniques right away.

As with other of Turid Rugaas's books, this might seem like too a short book to be of much value. Once you carefully read the book, and start watching your dog, you will begin to appreciate Ms. Rugaas's deep wisdom and understand of all things canine.

After having no success with bark collars, penny cans, and spray bottles - all the standard trainer suggestions - I started using these suggestions. I admit my dog has not stopped barking entirely, I don't want him to, but he is barking much less. Plus I understand now why he is barking and how to change perceptions and break the cycle.

This book gave me an attitude change from 'how to deal with this beloved nuisance of a pet' to 'I am lucky enough live with a creature I can learn to understand'. This book gives a view of the world through the dogs needs and perceptions. It allows the human owner a way into that world. You realise that the dog is always trying to reach into 'our' world and we sometimes forget from how far the dog has to reach. Made me a better dog owner.

Sometimes we don't see barking as an actual form of canine communication. Well..annoying as it can be at times, it is. I love all of Turgid's books. They're presented in a very factual way and she also shows alternate ways of dealing with this problem behavior. Listen to your dogs..they're barking for a reason!

I found this book to be a handy guide when helping people deal with the different types of barking that dogs employ. It is written in an easy to understand way, with a section for each typ of barking. Not the be-all-end-all of instruction books, but handy to keep on hand along with other not so specific.

The author's style may take a couple of reads to see through to what she's saying (imho). This isn't a bossy... how-to type book like many others. What it is though is very helpful in understanding your dog better and showing you how to work with the pooch to find a good path. Like 'Calming Signals', I've come away getting a good view and on how I can adjust my dog's behaviours to being a calmer / better dog.

I haven't finished this yet but anything that helps me understand my dog's world better is helpful. Most dog owners know that different barks mean different things but it helps to be reminded.