Customer Reviews

The Language of Dogs

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Sarah Kalnajs has done a great job of breaking down body language in dogs in a way that anyone, at any skill level, can understand. Recognize signs of stress and fear which are the precursors to aggressive behaviors. Learn how to tell if a dog really is friendly, or if that wagging tail means something else entirely!

As a professional trainer and behavior consultant, this DVD is required viewing for our trainers and assistants, and recommended for my clients with problem dogs so that they have the ability to recognize problems before they escalate.

I guarantee that after watching The Language of Dogs, you will never look at dogs the same way again, but you will understand them a whole lot better.

If you're expecting a flashy heavily edited National Geographic/Dog Whisperer "Dogs at Play" product... move on... If, on the other hand, you'd like to sit in on a lecture by a presenter who has her stuff together... is capable of organizing it, presenting ideas - - and has even sorted through seeming hours worth of video assessments to demonstrate her points - - get this. I really mean it: Sarah Kalnaj has does her homework, and is an organized and personable down-to-earth lecturer. - - or to put it otherwise, if I was back in college, I wouldn't mind sitting in on one of her classes... this is a content packed well paced presentation.

As for the topics covered, Ms. Kalnajs breaks down basic dog body language and presents video footage demonstrating the behaviors along with lot's of advice on assessment and accompanying anecdotal information. (Her method of assessment involves 4 people... primary handler, secondary handler, trained videographer and note taker, incidentally - - this method obviously contributed a great deal in her ability to present the topic.)

I especially appreciate her use of many different breeds and situations... I also like her ability to "digress" in an appropriate yet focused manner... and ability to point out the obvious and less than obvious, though my life will never be the same now that words like "penis crowning" and "uro-genital check" have been entered into my vocabulary by an Ann Coulter look-a-like...

All in all, I can't think of any resource like this on the market... This and AM I SAFE definitely belong in any dog handler / enthusiasts library - - hope more will be coming.

I have recently begun training to become a dog trainer, and with 16 years experience as a certified veterinary technician, thought I didn't need to learn much about the body language of dogs. This dvd has proven that thought wrong.

The dvd is well organized in that it discusses each body signal individually, and also groups them together according to what the dog is trying to say (back off or I will bite you; I'm friendly-come pet me/play with me, etc). It also discusses how some body language which is widely accepted as friendly and inviting (such as tail wagging), can have multiple meanings. I also believe that Sarah Kalnajs' love of dogs and her joy in working with them comes through as she discusses the various behaviors, and that makes the seminar interesting and entertaining.

I highly recommend this dvd to anyone who works with dogs in any capacity, anyone who just wants to learn to better communicate with dogs, and also to anyone who merely has in interest in dog behavior. I agree with sacdogtraining in that Ms. Kalnajs presents the information in a way that anyone, at any skill level, will understand.

This is a wonderful DVD on dog body language.

As others have noted, this DVD is from a seminar given by Sarah Kalnajs. In it, she classifies different types of body language and gives very specific examples. She shows video clips, usually of several different dogs so that you can see how the body language looks on different types of dogs. Her comments are enlightening and informative!

I really appreciate that the DVD tracks are categorized by each behavior, making it easy to find the segment on yawning or lip licking or whatever. It's also very easy to watch in small increments. This has made it very easy for me to deepen my knowledge without having to set aside a huge block of time.

This is a DVD that will have a permanent place in my dog training library, and one that will be regularly referred to, not just as an occasional reference.

I had ordered this DVD in the hopes of learning how to read my dog better. I was remarkably impressed with the value of this! I believe I watched it completely through 2x in a row just taking it all in. I've had it for several months now and I still go back to review it and refresh myself. I learned so much about the subtle (and sometimes not so subtle!) nuances of how dogs communicate, both with each other and with us.

Whether you're a professional or a "regular" old dog owner, I can assure you this will be money well spent.

I have had the opportunity to utilize clips from "The Language of Dogs" in a presentation offered to local law enforcement agencies. The clips have added a critical element to my training by allowing officers to see various warning signs in dogs. This has given officers a confidence in "reading" dogs that they did not possess before. I have received very positive feedback from all agencies trained and have heard of instances where the training has ensured human safety and preserved the life of dogs. I want to thank Sarah Kalnajs for her excellent video and her willingness to share it with an often-neglected area of law enforcement training.

Having been a dog trainer for 30 years and been a home for a dozen or more rescues I was amazed and what I didn't know. (even with the extensive dog library I have).

If you love dogs and want the best for them then you should own this. I personally will be viewing it endless times and sharing it with my students.

It is the best I have ever seen and worth every penny! In fact I just ordered AM I SAFE.

Difficult to follow and moves too fast. Not sure how to rate this. She often cuts herself off from telling a story or explaining a behavior becasue the slides move so fast. Its frustrating to watch at times. Its obvious she has a wealth of experience however its difficult to access it through this video. Perhaps she needed more time to prepare. I will say that I did learn a lot and it is helpful to see actual behavior on film, however I'm not sure I would buy this again...

This is one of the best videos I have seen on evaluating dog behavior. It is not about training although there are a few tidbits there. The video helps you understand the language of the dog. Some very funny parts and one that will make you aware of being aware and how quickly things can go from relaxed to a serious life threatening situation.
Anyone in dog rescue especially should watch this video over and over. Even if you take you dog to the dog park it is a must.

I've read and viewed everything I could get my hands on related to canine body language. The ACT video which runs a little less than an hour is quite good. A lot can be derived from the SAFER training videos. This two disc set (and the followup set, "Am I Safe") is absolutely exceptional!
I work with shelter and rescue dogs and additionally spend three or more hours a day in an off leash dog park and this should be mandatory viewing for all dog park volunteers, members and shelter staff. Also foster parents of rescue shelter dogs should see.