Resources on Canine Body Language & Communication
By Don Hanson, PCBC-A, BFRAP
< Updated 2026-08-02 >
< The link to this page at FFP – https://www.forcefreepets.com/resources-on-canine-body-language-communication/ >
< The link to this page at GAKS – https://www.greenacreskennel.com/2026/08/03/resources-on-canine-body-language-communication/ >
Most of us bring a dog into our lives to be a companion and family member. Both types of relationships require trust; however, to establish trust, we must first be able to communicate with our dog. That means we need to learn our dog’s language. Much of a dog’s communication is done silently with their entire body, unlike humans, who primarily communicate with their mouths and ears. Below are my favorite books and online resources to help you communicate with your dog.
Recommended Resources
Articles on Don’s Blog
( https://forcefreepets.com/blog/ & https://www.greenacreskennel.com/blog/ )
Book Review – A Kids’ Comprehensive Guide to Speaking Dog! by Niki Tudge – https://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2018/01/10/book-review-a-kids-comprehensive-guide-to-speaking-dog-by-niki-tudge/
Book Review – On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas – https://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2018/01/10/book-review-on-talking-terms-with-dogs-calming-signals-by-turid-rugaas/
Book Review – The Other End of the Leash, by Patricia McConnell, PhD – https://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2002/12/29/book-review-the-other-end-of-the-leash-by-patricia-mcconnell-phd/
Book Review – Beyond Belly Rubs: The Compassionate Pet Guardian by Niki Tudge and Louise Stapleton-Frappell – https://www.forcefreepets.com/bookreview-beyondbellyrub-mar26/
Book Review – Bark!: The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog by Zazie Todd – https://www.forcefreepets.com/book-review-bark-zazie-todd/
How Your Dog Can Tell How You Feel & How It Affects Their Behavior – https://www.forcefreepets.com/how-your-dog-can-tell-how-you-feel/
Keeping Both You and Your Dog Free of Stress – https://www.forcefreepets.com/youdogstressfree/
Managing An Aggressive, Fearful, or Reactive Dog – https://www.forcefreepets.com/managing-an-aggressive-fearful-or-reactive-dog/
Mental Health – Does Your Dog Enjoy Public Events, or Would They Rather Stay Home? – https://www.forcefreepets.com/mental-health-does-your-dog-enjoy-public-events-or-would-they-rather-stay-home/
Mental Health – Respecting Personal Space & How to Interact with a Dog – https://www.forcefreepets.com/mental-health-respecting-personal-space-how-to-interact-with-a-dog/
Pets, Emotions, & Anthropomorphism – https://www.forcefreepets.com/pets-emotions-anthropomorphism/
Shared Video – How Would YOU Like It? – https://www.forcefreepets.com/shared-video-howwouldyoulikeit/
Why Your Pet Wants You to Read Beyond Belly Rubs – https://www.forcefreepets.com/readbeyondbellyrubs/
Woof Meow Pet Tip for April 20 2026 at Star 977 with Don Hanson – Beyond Bell Rubs No2 – https://www.forcefreepets.com/wfmwtip-2026-04-20/
Books
- A Kids’ Comprehensive Guide to Speaking Dog: A fun, interactive, educational resource to help the whole family understand canine
communication, Niki J. Tudge, Joanne Tudge (October 4, 2017), ISBN-10: 0999262092, ISBN-13: 978-0999262092 - Doggie Language – A Dog Lovers Guide to Understanding Your Best Friend, Lili Chin, Summersdale; Illustrated edition (October 6, 2020), ISBN-10: 787837017, ISBN-10: 1787837017
- How to Greet a Dog and What to Avoid, Sophia Yin, DVM, CattleDog Publishing (September 25, 2011)
- On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals, Turid Rugaas, Direct Book Service; 2nd edition (December 14, 2005), ISBN-10: 1929242360, ISBN-13: 978-1929242368
- The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs, Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D., Ballantine Books; Reprint edition (January 1, 2003), ISBN-10: 034544678X, ISBN-13: 978-1863253208
- Beyond Belly Rubs: The Compassionate Pet Guardian, Niki Tudge and Louise Stapleton-Frappell, DogNostics Education, 2026, ISBN-13: 979-8295640353
- Bark!: The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog, Zazie Todd, Greystone Books, 2024, ISBN (Paperback): 978-1778403323
Online Resources
Articles
A Dog’s Communication System – Pets and Their People, March 30, 2022 – https://petsandtheirpeople.education/canine-social-behavior-your-dogs-communication-system/
Do Dogs Learn More Quickly from Verbal or Visual Signals? – Psychology Today, October 16, 2018 – No longer available online
Dogs really can smell your fear, and then they get scared too – NewScientist, October 19, 2017https://www.newscientist.com/article/2150956-dogs-really-can-smell-your-fear-and-then-they-get-scared-too/
Smile! Your dog’s brain will light up in response, Science, March 2018 – https://www.science.org/content/article/smile-your-dog-s-brain-will-light-response
The Data Says “Don’t Hug the Dog!” Psychology Today, April 13, 2016 – No longer available online
What Do You Know About Canine Communication? – Pets and Their People, March 16, 2022 – https://petsandtheirpeople.education/what-do-you-know-about-canine-communication/
Posters & Graphics
Bekindrescue.com
· Where to pet your dog graphic – https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0536/1126/6208/files/309021184_512530147373205_4825248449283197775_n.png
Dr. Sophia Yin – https://cattledogpublishing.com/poster-download/
· Body Language of Fear in Dogs
· How Kids SHOULD Interact with Dogs
· How Kids SHOULD NOT Interact with Dogs
· How to Greet a Dog (and What to Avoid)
Mighty Dog Graphics
· The 3-second meet and greet graphic from Mighty Dog Graphics – https://www.facebook.com/mightydoggraphics/photos/pb.100064488174466.-2207520000./1431858283608350/?type=3
The Sophisticated Dog
· Ways Dogs Show You That They Want Space graphic – https://www.facebook.com/TheSophisticatedDog/photos/pb.100057722677378.-2207520000./10158679102787409/?type=3
How Would You Like It? – San Diego Humane Society – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G775ppK3VEM
Websites
iSpeakDog.org – http://www.ispeakdog.org/
Silent Conversations – https://www.silentconversations.com/
