The “Language of Dogs” DVD is a very useful video that is suitable for owners who want to study and understand their dog’s body language. Although Joyful Doggy is more of a website that teaches the basics and fundamentals of clicker training, I believe that understanding what your dog is trying to tell you is one of the most important communication tools you can have with him. This, in turn, helps your dog do the things you want and the things you want to stop. That’s why I’m putting this DVD in the recommended viewing category.
This video stars Sarah Kalnajs, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and Certified Companion Dog Trainer who has worked with dogs professionally for 10 years, and takes us through the many different signs a dog can display as a way to of communication not only with other dogs, but also with humans.
He classified the signals into different categories. Here are some of the examples:
1. Signs of stress
2. Calming/appeasement signals
3. Signs of increasing distance
4. Signs of decreasing distance
Let me dig a little deeper into the four categories above to give you an idea of what it means.
1. Signs of stress
This should be easy to understand. Sarah goes into detail about what are the signs that make up a stressed dog. Each body sign is followed by videos of dogs she has worked on.
Examples of signs: yawning, lip licking, freezing.
2. Calming/appeasement signals
This type of signal means that a dog can display a body signal that tells dogs and humans “I don’t want to hurt you.”
Examples of signals: looking away, blinking, sitting or lying down.
3. Signs of increasing distance
This is the kind of sign that tells you to “back off”! If you can identify the signs early, you will save yourself from what may happen.
Examples of signs: showing teeth, ears alert/forward, tense body and face.
4. Signs of decreasing distance
When a dog shows any of these signs, it means submission and it is safe to approach the dog to pet or play with him.
Examples of signs: playing bows, soft eyes, relaxed posture.
Please note that the examples given are only considered a small part compared to the long list of signs provided and explained by Sarah herself.
Videos of the dogs he has worked with are also shared on this DVD.
Overall, I think this DVD is really worth getting. I like the amount of information that went into this and it made me understand dog language even better after watching it.