Let me begin by stating the obvious: Dogs do not speak English. Or French, or German, or Spanish, for that matter. They talk dog. The secret of successful training is to learn how to communicate with your dog in a way that he understands. He can't learn your language. It's up to you to learn to speak his.

Dogs are terrific communicators. Have you ever stopped to think how many different words we have for the noises dogs make -- words such as growl, snarl, whine, whimper, bark, and howl? All these various sounds and vocalizations mean different things in dog language, while the meanings may also change in subtle ways, depending on context and circumstance.

Then there's body language. Dogs communicate with sound, but they also speak volumes through their gestures and stances. A lift of an eyebrow, a yawn, a wrinkled brow are just some of the ways they signal their feelings and intentions to others, both canine and human.

Learning to talk dog is the key to understanding your pet so that you can better meet his needs. With a little practice, you'll be speaking like a native!
 

-- from It's Me or the Dog by Victoria Stilwell
 


These trainers use positive methods and can teach you how to "talk dog."
 

LAS VEGAS / HENDERSON:
Sigi Cohen, CDTK
Dogs Rock Canine Training
(702) 378-8505
sigicohen@aol.com


MODESTO:
Lisa Moore, KPA CTP
Top Notch Kennels
(209) 523-3138
www.topnotchdogs.com


STOCKTON:
Kelly Finn, KPA CTP
(707) 704-6710
scubakelly@rocketmail.com


SACRAMENTO:
Lisa Mullinax, CPDT-KSA, CAP1
4Paws University, Inc.
www.4pawsu.com
info@4pawsu.com


SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA:
Alice Tong, KPA CTP, LCSW
Choose Positive Dog Training
(415) 533-4411
www.ChoosePositiveTraining.com

 
MENLO PARK:
Margaret Daul, MA, KPA CTP, CPDT-KSA, CTC
Family Dog Training
(650) 823-6291


LOS ANGELES:
Sarah Owings, KPA CTP 
Bridges Dog Training
(818) 415-0436
www.bridgesdogtraining.com


WEST LOS ANGELES -- BEL AIR, BEVERLY HILLS, BRENTWOOD, MALIBU, PACIFIC PALISADES, SANTA MONICA, and WESTWOOD:
Irith Bloom, CPDT-KSA, CDBC, KPA CTP, VSPDT, CBATI
The Sophisticated Dog, LLC
(310) 207-0436
www.TheSophisticatedDog.com


SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COASTAL -- LA JOLLA to BEVERLY HILLS:
Linda Michaels, CPDT, MA Psychology
Licensed by Victoria Stilwell
Wholistic Dog Training
(858) 259-WOOF (9663)
www.WholisticDogTraining.com


SAN DIEGO -- OCEAN BEACH, EL CAJON, IMPERIAL BEACH, and LA MESA:
Jamie Bozzi, BA, CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, CBCC-KA
SmrtDog
(619) 246-5634 
www.smrtdog.com
jamie@smrtdog.com