AnimalSigning: Emotional Lives of Dogs Class

The APDT Conference in Oakland, Ca was great, with many interesting speakers. As I sat at the author table (DogWise) I chatted with Charlene (the DogWise organizer) and other authors. Sitting next to me were the authors of Through a Dog’s Ear, Joshua Leeds and Lisa Spector. We exchanged works, and mutual support. Joshua expressed a phrase I hear often, that AnimalSigning is ‘revolutionary!’ He and Lisa are doing some fascinating work with the effect of sound/hearing (of music) in dogs.
Several participants chatted with me about signing, bought my book, and got a book signature. Some asked about doing workshops in their area (in other states).

The photographer from Marcus Photographs, hired by DogWise, took some pictures (which I will post on my new website coming in November).

After the conference, I drove around in my old neighborhoods in Berkeley and Rockridge stopping off at the MarketPlace near bart for some fabulous coffee and bakery goods. Not much has changed since the 90′s there.

Sunday, was at my booksigning at Clayton BookShop in Clayton, California. The shop was interesting and very friendly. With seats planned for about 12, my assistant Debbie counted almost 30 people (kids, male, female adults) standing room only. Chal was very subdued throughout, until she smelled the chicken I brought for her to demonstrate some food and toy signs. She livened up and signed away: Water, Liver, Food, Chicken, Chicken, Toy, Frisby!

People had many questions about signing, their dog communications, some wanted a workshop in the area, a DVD, and online groups. Yes! Coming Soon.

Will be back to the beautiful area in November for a short workshop at PetFoodExpress in Clayon, Ca. down the street.

On the way home, Debbie and I stopped off at the San Ramon Whole Foods, where we had spectacular diverse meal from the salad and hot food bar. Love Whole Foods!

The AnimalSigner!

Sept. I was the author of the month for Dogs Can Sign, Too. It was very interesting exchanging with many new readers, hearing about their dogs and communication. I’ll be starting the Yahoo AnimalSign Group in Nov and from my current (this one) a discussion group for signers to stay in touch and exchange stories, for me to comment on. Look also for the online seminars for personal advice on you and your signing.

Horses and dogs have been learning to sign in increasing numbers, and when they learn to communicate better, they run with it!

These last few months have been very busy for the center.

*CSUMB in Ca. has hosted classes in AnimalSigning for Canine Wellness, and will be having me teach Canine Biology and Behavior, and The Emotional and Communicative Lives of Dogs in the Fall, 2009.

*Signing Socials in Carmel, Ca. have started where signers come to share stories about their pets communications, and I help them move past challenges.

For dogs: Random House will be releasing the new book with 25 signs for dogs. The book is Dogs Can Sign, Too!

For horses: Storey Press will release EquineSign (with 40 signs for horses) in the fall of 2010.

Development and Research:

In the last years, I have been refining alternative forms of communication to expand signing to fit all dog preferences. Most dogs love to sign (esp. the first 10 signs), since they gesture naturally, but others want additional choices too. I’ve developed alternative special methods (specialized signs, pointing/targeting to communicate, which I teach adapting to each individual dog. This is so fulfilling for us all. Turns out as with humans (who use many methods of communication) dogs should have choices too (signing, choosing, pointing, vocalizing, etc.).

Having worked with deaf, blind, and fearful dogs it is clear that as they learn to K9Sign they are more open to trusting and interacting faster than with some other methods. Their motivation to trust increases. Watching the transformation from fear to desire to communicate is heartwarming.

I’d be very interested in your remarkable stories of communication from dog to you.

Events: For those who can’t come to workshops, I now do tele-seminars on Signing. Hope you can get the information you need to expand communication.

Signing Off, for now.

Sean

As more dogs and horses sign, stories emerge. A new Yahoo AnimalSigning group will open : K9Signing and EquineSigning…look or it this December!

I offer classes in AnimalSigning at CSUMB Extension. In my most recent class at CSU Monterey Bay the signing dogs are finding their voice with paw moves. A poodle mix learned signs very quickly, first food, then toy; another very obedient retriever learns to sign while playing, rather than during givign of obedience behaviors, a puppy boxer thinks moving his eyes back and forth and learns very fast to sign for food. Each dog has their own way and path.

First, the horse, then the dog, now cats too can learn to expand communication with signing.

I’ll be giving a seminar at www.simpledogtrainingsecrets.com on the use of signing in cats. Last week I gave one on dogs, and that one may be downloaded from their site.

Many researchers are focusing on animal intelligence and language. At this site you can link to the interesting articles on the topic on animals and relevant human studies.

Dogs can understand receptive language of over 200 words.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/06/040611072744.htm

Dogs can learn to associate specific gestures with specific meanings.
www.animalsign.org

Dogs can detect various chemical previously not explored….
http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2006/1205-mercury_detection_its_a_8220ruff_job8221.htm

Dogs can classify objects..
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080613145535.htm

Birds can recognize themselves…. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080613145535.htm

Horses can learn to associate specific gestures with specific meanings.
www.animalsign.org

Horses think through problems.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/02/050201101836.htm

Horse learning with positive reinforcement..(you may need to log in to horse mag)
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=11436

***Human research relevant to facilitating animal language development***

Language develops in bursts…(human)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080206154123.htm

Language development stages (human)

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/09/040915113243.htm

Language from whole to part (human)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/04/040428062634.htm

Language lateralization (human)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/04/040428062634.htm

Language learning stages and lateralization (human)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/09/040915113243.htm

Features of language (human)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080323210220.htm

Talking to babies helps langauge development (human)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/03/050329143741.htm

Signing Language in Humans
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/02/050201101836.htm

Babies can Sign
www.babysigns.com

Sean Senechal will be giving 2 seminars at www.raisingcanine.com

both in March: 5th and the 19th. The 5th is basic information about AnimalSigning followed by the 19th where I will coach listeners on lessons to teach their animals.

Look for exact times posting.

Sean

Our book AnimalSign To You. Imagine! Signing Is Not Just for Primates Anymore is now noted on the www.Koko.org website. Dr. Patterson endorsed the book and we are happy to be listed on their site. Click the link then go down to Rikki Power the Gorilla dog….see our book listed.

http://www.koko.org/world/kokopix_archive.php