Customer Reviews

How to Speak Dog: Mastering the Art of Dog-Human Communication

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I frequently review dog books and interview authors--so, I was fortunate enough to be able to review an advance proof of this book last month, as well as interview Dr. Coren. If you have even the slightest interest in dog behavior (including aggression), training, or simply want to better understand your pet and its interactions with humans, dogs, and other species, this book is a *must* read. In the book, Dr. Coren relates to readers an enormous amount of information on the communication skills of dogs, and manages to do this in a very entertaining and humorous manner.

Reading this book was like receiving a canine translator - now I can not only understand but also communicate more effectively with my own dog as well as other dogs. It has enabled me to interpret how dogs are reacting to their environment, anticipate their actions, and take appropriate steps to stave off aggression. This book overcomes the shortcomings and dispels the myths of many rote "praise-and-correction" training books regarding what dogs are capable of understanding and how best to make them understand and do what you want. I highly recommend this to any dog owner looking for a better way of communicating with their dog than snapping a collar.

As a lover of dogs for over 50 years, I own dozens of books about canine care and behavior, but Stanley Coren's 'How to Speak Dog' is definitely my favorite. I originally found this informative dog communication book in my local library after adopting a lovable but fearful mixed breed from my local humane society five years ago. Since then, I have bought at least six copies of this same book online, just to have on hand to give to friends and family who decide to bring a dog into their life or who don't understand the behavior of a dog already living with them. I especially like the book's detailed descriptions of a dog's specific body language (ears, eyes, mouth, tail) and what each means--as well as its guide to the messages a dog is sending when he barks or whines in a particular way. Not unlike a driver's training manual which must be read by those who wish to become licensed drivers, 'How to Speak Dog" should be required reading for every person who decides to share his or her life with a dog.

While I can't pretend to have gotten inside the mind of Stanley Coren, I am willing to speculate that he wrote this book as a way of taking a very specific scientific controversy out of the realm of academia and bringing it to the people. The controversy: do dogs have a true language or do they not?

Having recently rewatched Miracle on 34th Street, I recall Kris Kringle's attorney's comment on the controversy over belief in Santa Clause. "Some firmly believe in him, others just as strongly deny his existence." In keeping with the spirit of the season when we're a little more likely than usual to believe that animals speak, it's a great time to buy this book as a present for a serious dog lover on your list.

It seems obvious to me that Coren takes the controversy seriously; taking it to the people is not a cop out. Rather his singular achievement is to bring a body of evidence, if you will, to pet owners who normally would not be part of this academic jury. While reading How To Speak Dog, again and again I'd find myself exclaiming "Wow, that's Oliver's call to be let in, or so that's what Emmie is saying to Hannah."

After completing my first read, I kept the book on the end table having dog eared (sorry, couldn't resist) the section entitled "Doggish Phrase Book". This Doggish-English dictionary is a must-have for your next visit to the park where Doggish is the language of the land. Stanley, "May I call you Stanley?", has organized the phrasebook by sounds, and by ear, eye, facial, tail, and other body signals. Then for each phrase he provides the human meaning, corresponding emotions and conditions of the dog when the phrase is uttered. Basically, "This is what the dog is saying when you see and hear this behavior."

Often, for weeks after I finished the book, whenever I'd hear a bark, a whine, a howl, or see a crooked tail I'd pop open the phrase book and compare Coren's interpretation to my own.

I've often found myself recommending this book to friends, psychologists and other dog lovers. As a sociologist myself I've always been interested in cross cultural communication. Over time, little by little I came to realize I'd become even more interested in cross-species communication between people and dogs. Progress has been slow. I guess it's hard to study cultural differences when you don't understand the language. But I digress.

So, back to the basic question. "Oh, yes", Stanley concludes, dogs have a language. There are four generally accepted key requirements for language and dogs show all four, one to a lesser extent than the other three:

* Meaningfulness - canine sounds and signals are not random, but convey a specific meaning
* Displacement -- the ability to target things not currently in sight "Go get the ball in the kitchen."
* Display rules of combination -- some combinations are not meaningful when used together. Dogs don't lay down to get a tummy rub and seriously growl at the same time
* Productivity - the ability to put words together in novel ways.

Stanley acknowledges that productivity is weak (though it does exist) in Doggish. But the same is true in human toddlers and few would argue that toddlers have no language, just that they understand far more than they can express in words.

So, while at this time of year, I'm especially willing to believe in Santa, I find that all year long I'm willing to believe dogs have a language. Thanks, Stanley. I won't be surprised if my peers in the jury decide to vote the same, "Yes, Virginia, dogs do have language.

I thought this was an excellent book. It gives the reader clear understanding of how a dog thinks and behaves. It shows how we can misunderstand out canine friends, and how we really should be understanding what they are telling us. The book is very well structured and thought out, giving background knowlege on speach, evolution and communication. I believe that this book is definately a must for any dog-lovers, or dog-owners. I have in fact already loaned this book to 3 of my friends who all loved it!

I had my doubts about this book. I am a professional dog trainer, and a animal behaviorist. I would not recommened this book for your average reader. However it covers the basics of canine behavior very well and I would recommend it to anyone who trains dogs, or works with groups of dogs and wants a deeper understanding of their social interactions.
Reads a bit on the scientific side, so if your reading for entertainment you will probably be bored. If your reading to learn and increase your knowledge, you will probably enjoy.

No one knows dogs like the author. I have read all his dog books and he continues to teach me new things about my favorite animals. I decided to get a pair of dogs rather than only one after reading "Intelligence of Dogs" - it is a decision I have never regretted. This new book helps me to understand how they talk to each other and how I can talk to them! I fianlly learned why a dog won't respond to a finger point. If you are fascinated by dogs, this is the book for you.

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, a professor of psychology, has once again written a fascinating book about dogs that is clearly written and accessible to a mass audience. Any dog lover will find practical advice and anecdotal information to help in understanding the communicative practices of canine friends. The detailed chapters on facial expressions, ears, eyes, tails, and body positioning will be most interesting to the truly fascinated, but chapter 20, "Talking Doggish and Doggerel," contains useful information for anyone who interacts with dogs, even casually. Coren manages to convey a love of dogs while avoiding romanticizing them. The book is a worthy successor to *The Intelligence of Dogs.* Bravo!