This reading ability refers to gathering information without having to speak or write. Dogs read facial expression, body posture and gestures. One of my favorite experiences is to attend canine obedience trials. Dogs have to pass certain tests with a good deal of precision. They begin with sit, stay, heel and come commands. Once they have mastered these behaviors on and off leash, they get their first degree called “Companion Dog” (CD). The next level is called “Companion Dog Excellent” (CDX) and finally “Utility Dog” (UD). Watching dogs work on their UD degree is very impressive. The dog responds to only the owner's hand signals from yards away. They retrieve one of several objects and bring it to the owner via a signaled route over one of several hurdles. Lastly, the dog walks around the motionless owner, sits perfectly straight and drops the object. While competing, each dog is supposed to be attentive and purposeful, but the hand signals are not the only things being read. Dogs are also reading the delight in the spectator's eyes and the tension in those of their owners. Some dogs respond with a bit of their own tension; others seem to get zany. I'll never forget a Basset Hound in his first UD trial. Hounds in general do not excel in obedience work (like Aussie Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Poodles). Unbelievably, this Basset had made it to the big time, and it was his day to shine. Dozens of people gathered around to encourage him. I could tell the owner was a bit anxious, especially when she noticed that the dog had stopped watching her and begun to “smile” at his fans. Away he went down the course toward the hurdle that was about two inches high. He paused for a moment, and then slowly stepped over it. Loving the applause, he decided to walk back over it several more times, as his owner turned a frightening shade of purple. He waddled to the end, picked of the object and started back. Still focusing on his new fan club, he decided to toss and catch the object. The owner tried desperately to discourage this shenanigan, but the story the Bassett was reading in the smiles, laughter and applause was far too much fun. He walked right up the owner, laid down and rolled on his back. I feared the owner might faint, but she joined in the laughter and gave him a big hug. I don't know if he ever got his UD, but he sure deserved one.

Dogs read their owners constantly, watching every thing they do. They immediately recognize anger, fright, excitement, contentment, happiness, and acceptance. They can read internal states like pain or illness. They read other animals, especially dogs. The position of the tail and ears can be read at a distance. The classical hunting pose with one front foot in the air is a means of silently communicating to other pack members. Speed-reading occurs when an upset owner reports a guilty expression on their dog's face. Guilt is strictly a human emotion. Dogs can read anger and excitement incredibly quickly, and the fear and submission response (crouch, lowered head, drooping tail, diverted eyes) is definitely in a dog's repertoire. We call one of my staff members “the Chihuahua Whisperer” because she can convey a sense of well being and friendship to even the most terrified little dog. Of course, people and dogs use other means of communication such as sound and touch, but owners should be aware that their dog never stops reading them. You are your dog's favorite novel.