Dog Language: An Encyclopedia of Canine Behavior (Paperback)

~ (Author), Alice Rasmussen (Illustrator), Sarah Whitehead (Translator, Editor)
Key Phrases: pacifying behaviour, allelomimetic behaviour, nursery behaviour, Dog Language-Roger Abrantes, Oxford University Press, Siberian Husky (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Dog Language tells us why dogs do what they do and how we can express ourselves so that our dogs can understand us better. It is a systematic book, ordered alphabetically with 293 entries and 94 beautiful drawings illustrating over 150 different dog expressions.

First published in Scandinavia in 1986 as Hundesprog’, this book became a great success and has since then helped many thousands of dog owners, instructors, behavior students, and veterinarians to understand dogs. Now available in English, the present edition of Dog Language is an updated, highly revised and enlarged version of the original Hundesprog’.

Following the traditions of the school of ethology founded by Konrad Lorenz, Dog Language is based on many hours of research, observation, and study. Dog Language is a no-nonsense book, written in a modern, uncomplicated style—a book for all readers with interest in dogs, wolves and other canids.

‘Dog Language is a book that will benefit anyone interested in what makes our dogs tick. It is a must for the professional dog handler or behaviorist, as well as any pet owner. Dog Language is well organized and written in a clear, easily understood manner. The beautiful illustrations help to explain what our canine companions are trying to communicate to us and each other. This is a rare opportunity to tap into the talent and expertise of a well known canine ethologist.’ Sandy Myers (President of Narnia Pet Behavior, member of the APDT and NADOI)

‘If we are to understand the domestic dog’s natural behavior, we must appreciate his social heritage and the adaptive significance of his many complex behavior patterns. Roger Abrantes’ book Dog Language provides this knowledge, and presents it in an easy to use and understand format. This encyclopedia of canine behavior is absolutely a must for all serious students of canine behavior and training!’ Linda P. Case (Lecturer in Companion Animal Science, University of Illinois, Dept. of Animal Science)

About the Author

Roger Abrantes, ethologist, cand. Art. DHC, DF, MAPBC, is the author to 15 books published in Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, and English. He is currently the scientific director of the Institute of Ethology at the Hong Agriculture School, Denmark.

RA has participated in many TV and radio programs all over the world. He has been adviser for the Danish Police Force, Technologic Institute, the Icelandic Kennel Club and guest lecturer at the Danish Veterinary University. He is in high demand as a speaker at international symposiums in Europe and America. He often guest lectures at several universities, including the University of Illinois in the USA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: Dogwise Publishing; 3rd Rep edition (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966048407
• ISBN-13: 978-0966048407
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #48,363 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #16 in	Books > Reference > Encyclopedias > Veterinary
  #52 in	Books > Home & Garden > Animal Care & Pets > Dogs > Breeds
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ... A good reference source ..., November 16, 2004

By	Yeoh Siok Kee (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Please place emphasis on the word "Encyclopaedia" as it appears in the title ...

Apart for the first 30 odd pages of introduction, where the author explains aggression & fear as perceived by dogs ... the rest of the book is arranged in alphabetical manner ...

The book covers a wide range of dog behaviours ranging from Abnormal Behaviour, Body Control, Classical Conditioning to Visual Communication and Xenophobia ... making the book a good reference source.

For example, under the title "Dominance & Submission" ... the author explains the role that dominance plays within a dog hierarchy, and how the "dominance - submission" relationship between dogs, is more of a learned behaviour based on experience, rather than just based on the physical appearance/size of the dogs.

The drawback with the format is that it makes for rather disjointed reading and is not quite a book to read from cover to cover ... and requires the reader to jump from topic to topic ...

Content-wise, the book provides reasonable information, very sufficient for the new or first time dog owner. The more experienced dog owner will probably want to look at books by Patricia McConnell, Clarence Pfaffenberger and/or Stanley Coren.

That said ... it remains a useful book to have in the library ...

4stars ...

64 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Quick Reference on Behavior, June 7, 2003

By	citywulf (Atlanta, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews

This book is incorrectly titled -- which is probably what disappointed the negative reviewer. Far more than a look at dog language, this book covers in bite-size portions all aspects of physiology and ethology (body language and behavior). I have read many (many) works that focus on specific aspects of what this one book covers, but this is the one I will reference most often for the simple, straightforward, and easily organized information.

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellant reference book!, August 4, 2001

By A Customer

This is an outstanding reference book for both pet owners and dog professionals. Behavior definitions are alphabetically arranged and cross referenced for easy use. It is intellegently written, concise, and easy to understand. There are many beautiful B&W illustrations throughout the book which further define behavior and body language. This book remains one of my personal favorites on basic behavior (my original copy is well used) and one I highly recommend. No good dog library is complete without it!