The Language of Dogs by Sarah Kalnajs

The DVD “The Language of Dogs” 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 is why I am putting this DVD under recommended views.

This video stars Sarah Kalnajs, a certified dog behavior consultant and certified dog trainer who has been working with dogs professionally for 10 years, and shows us the different signs that a dog can show as a form of communication not only with other dogs, but also humans.

She categorized the signals into different categories. Here are some of the examples:

1. Signs of stress

2. Signs of calm / appeasement

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 mark is followed by videos of dogs he has worked on.

Examples of signs: yawning, lip licking, frostbite.

2. Signs of calm / appeasement

This type of signal means that a dog can display a body signal that tells dogs and humans “I don’t want you to be hurt.”

Examples of signs: look away, blink, sit or lie down.

3. Signs of increasing distance

This is the kind of signal 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 this signal, it signifies submission and it is safe to approach the dog for petting or playing with him.

Sample signs: bowing, soft eyes, relaxed posture.

Note that the examples given are only considered a small part compared to the long list of signals provided and explained by Sarah herself.

Videos of the dogs you have 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 the dog’s language even better after watching it.