"How To Speak Dog" by Stanley Coren, Ph.D.

I read it, but it was quite a while ago. It was really interesting! Much of it was stuff I already "knew," but hadn't connected (like the cat/dog signals being backwards; I knew that I dog's tail being up usually means it's being dominant, and that a cat's tail being up usually means it's being friendly, but I hadn't thought of the two things in the same context before.) I enjoyed the book because so much of it made sense. I mean, it's all very logical stuff that built on things I already knew, but sort of expanded them. Took them a step farther, if that makes sense?

I have this book and another one of his, and I really appreciate you typing this.  I haven't gotten around to reading them yet, and this may have been that extra push I need.  Although, I believe I've read the first chapter in this or the other one I own (can't remember its title) and found it interesting already.

I read this book a little while ago (a year ago?). I thought it was very interesting, lots of information but not too dry to read. He may not be spot on 100% of the time but I appreciate that he goes into more detail than almost any other writer on dog behavior.

I have this book too.  I found it very interesting as well as informative.  I think he's great.  I love Sunday mornings cause his show "Good Dog" is on.  Its not enough that he is knowledgable, but he just seems like a great old Grandpa type guy.  He's soo gentle with all the dogs.  And lots of his shows work with older dogs, which is nice cause its always trickier IMO to deal with a dog already set in its ways, rather than a puppy.

ETA: The thing I like most about his writing style is that he puts things in terms that make it easier for me to explain it to people that don't understand dogs.

I got the book last year and LOVED it. Very informative, which a lot of in-depth info to back up his points, so you go away actually feeling like you understood what you just read, lol

It is my personal favorite dog book re: behavior of all time.
 
The one diagram (drawn sketches of dog's faces) showing eye, mouth and ear position and how to 'read' what they say is probably the best tool you can give someone to help them learn to 'read' a dog.

This book was definitely a good book.  I've seen, for my reactive dog, Kota, that dogs with cropped ears or black dogs, he generally does not get along with very well.  I believe it's because he can't read them and since he's suspicious of all strange dogs to begin with, this makes it even worse for him.

I love Stanley!!
 
How Dogs Think is also excellent!  I have both and I love them - but they are more scientific data and stats than a lot of other books (I.e. Bones Would Rain From the Sky, etc.)
 
I like how it clearly explains all the behaviours and the reasoning behind those behaviours.

ORIGINAL: ColorCodingDots

I read it, but it was quite a while ago. It was really interesting! Much of it was stuff I already "knew," but hadn't connected (like the cat/dog signals being backwards; I knew that I dog's tail being up usually means it's being dominant, and that a cat's tail being up usually means it's being friendly, but I hadn't thought of the two things in the same context before.) I enjoyed the book because so much of it made sense. I mean, it's all very logical stuff that built on things I already knew, but sort of expanded them. Took them a step farther, if that makes sense?

 
Wow that is something i didnt know but very interesting

I loved his TV show, which stupid aliance atlantis hadnt cancelled it.

I have three of his books - How to Speak Dog, The Intelligence of Dogs, and How Dogs Think. They are all quite interesting books, and yes, very scientifically based. But I've learned something productive from all of them, they get a thumbs up from me!
 
Kim MacMillan

Coren has a new book, as of Dec 2006 called "Why does my dog act that way?" He gets into a lot of stuff being discussed on this board. Here is a little review/preview so you can get an idea.


We've shared our lives with dogs for thousands of years, but they still act in ways that baffle us. Do you ever look at Ginger's body language and wonder what she's about to do? Do you wish you could predict how King will act when brought into a new situation or meeting a new person? Do you compare your sweet, mild-mannered dog with your neighbor's aggressive, unruly canine and wonder where your neighbor went wrong? In short, do you ever wonder why dogs act that way?
This new book by the undisputed expert on dog behavior, intelligence, and training, Stanley Coren, answers all these questions and more. For many years, most people -- even scientists -- mistakenly believed that dogs were simply domesticated wolves, with natures, minds, and behaviors significantly diminished from those of their wild cousins. But recent discoveries have demonstrated that dogs are actually much more complex than wolves, coyotes, foxes, and other wild canines; their ability to adapt to a man-made world is far more flexible, and their personalities are far more diverse. Using the fascinating findings from scientific experiments by dog breeders and the domestication of foxes and wolves, Coren re-creates the story of how dogs evolved over time into the myriad forms and breeds we love today. With specific information on which breeds were bred to become more dominant, affectionate, cooperative, or even dangerous, this practical, surprising book can help you to select a new companion or simply to understand your old friend better.

I have this book too. It was the first dog behavior book I read, and I loved it. How do "The Intelligence of Dogs" and "How Dogs Think" rate? What do they tackle specifically? (Also, I heard one of them had a bit of cat-bashing?)