This page is dedicated to the works of Jóna Rúna Kvaran. The Dog’s Need for Communication Photo: Nína Rúna Kvaran An Important Fact It’s not likely that everyone agrees to the statement that dogs have a great and noticeable physical need to express themselves in more ways then through mere barking and cuddling. It’s an important fact that Kola, Sunna and Sara, the dogs in my home, know many ways of expression if they think that communicating with their owners will serve a purpose. But their success in getting their ideas and interests across, varies. Powerful and Direct Sunna is the dog with the best “speech” talents. She is a yellow Labrador Retriever and almost a pure-bred. Sunna is a very happy animal with an especially mild and positive temperament. It will never be said that she possesses great intellect or shrewdness of any kind. She is mainly very simple in all aspects but she powerfully and directly communicates in a noticeable and funny manner. She literally speaks her own dog-language that consists of clear and loud sounds, that strangely enough are neither annoying nor incomprehensible. Both her face and body literally convulse with life and energy when she tries to bring attention to her own views. The Dramatic Shades of Feelings This peculiar physical expression is so clear-cut and understandable that there can be no doubt that Sunna has established her own special communication pattern that implies to her owners what she means. She somehow hums and moans in a dramatic and howlish manner. These sounds are accompanied with a theatrical tilting of the head, festive swings of the tail and a sincere look of the eyes, that expresses and underlines part of what she saying. There is no problem in understanding her; usually she expresses in this way her interest in the outdoors, food or additional affection. She also responds to certain simple questions like if she’s beautiful, kind, hungry or wants to go outside. She has No Competitors She expresses the different shades of her emotions in this special physical and loud way without failure to raise attention to her interests. Sunna likes it when she is talked to and different issues are dealt with both for fun and seriously. The dog is very entertaining in this aspect and most people, who get to know her, want to communicate with her in this special way. Her speech is of course not related to the speech of humans in any way but it is very unusual and clear and gets her point across. Sunna has no competitors in these matters at home. Neither one of the other dogs are even close to her in “speaking skills” although they are talkative in their own way. Extreme and Excessive Kola, the crossbreed, expresses herself in a very different way. She is a very sharp and shrewd dog that knows how to get results if she determined to pursue affection, travel or food. She uses an immensely efficient, emotional way of communicating that is whiny, extreme and excessive. Her need for communication is great and quite hysterical when she for example greets her owners when they have been away. These immense feelings are accompanied with whining sounds and extreme movements that have her thrusting in all directions. The moving usually stops in a grand final of circling that does not stop until everyone knows of her demands of physical affection. Privileged Kola has also others means of expression that is more subtle. When she chooses to promote herself and wants to go out with her owners, she gently tilts her head and looks at her owner again and again with a hopeful glint in her eyes, certain that the other dogs will not notice her gestures since she does not expect them to enjoy the same privileges she does. Master of Conviction The dog is so smart that if she means to express herself and get results she won’t stop until the job is done. She takes a clear stand and does not yield although the odds don’t seem to be on her side at first glance. Kola is masterful in convincing her owners and she certainly knows how to get things done her way with humble, likeable but yet shrewd and direct convincing powers. It’s a pleasure to witness how she manages to enjoy certain privileges because of her natural intelligence and strong insight. She literally guides people to understanding her needs and interests. Sensitive but Pushy Sara, Sunna’s mother, has the least “speech” talents. She is on the other hand, a genius in theatrics and quite the mime artist. She commonly barks and growls but she doesn’t seem to have the art of “dog speech” as finely crafted as her daughter. She is smart and clever but very bossy and protective. If she wants something for herself, she gets the point across with artistic but strange behaviour. She literally plays out certain movements that are interesting and efficient if she wants attention or some snacks. She is determined and pushy but at the same time humble and sensitive although her temperament is powerful and bossy. Plays with Peoples’ Feelings In communication, Sara’s “speaking” abilities are virtually none, after all, she is a very traditional dog and not as “human” as the other two. Through playacting and theatrics she is able to imply a number of things although at first, we had some trouble understanding her wishes for more attention and conditions of her dream. But now we find her communication system to be clear and direct. It doesn’t really lie in complex movements or rich vocal expression like Kola and Sunna. Sara plays with her owners’ feelings of guilt. When her own cravings and wants overwhelm her, she can accomplish a lot through her painful and dramatic glances. Closely linked to TheirPeople Sunna has, without debate, the best vocal skills but Kola has the most efficient communication skills. She keeps a low profile and easily manipulates those around her if she wants to and then it doesn’t matter is she’s dealing with her canine friends or the humans she shares space with. Certainly these three four-legged creatures have surprised their people. It would be wrong not to claim that the home of these dogs is filled with lively and professional communication. They are without a doubt closely linked to their people. Men and Mutes In truth it is very important to encourage the dogs’ communication skills because the more aware they are of their abilities to express their needs, the better for both the dogs and their owners. Although animals are commonly considered to be creatures without language, these dogs are definitely not mute or without opinions or will. In their limited way they manage to promote their viewpoints and the results are more often than not, in their favour. Therefore they are lively and content and they make themselves heard with excellent results. Personal Communication Skills It’s very important that dog owners make an effort to recognize what kind of communication their dogs use the express their interest in making their needs and interests be heard. You have to learn to know your dogs just like your children. Dogs have different personal communication skills. It’s a known fact that dogs are truly loyal to their owners and if they have something to say you better listen and notice the channels they find to vent their interesting and necessary expressions. They are emotional and people-loving besides being fast learners of everything that makes the communication with their owners better. Dogs can really surprise you.        We are sorry to inform you that Kola passed away on the 13th of Agust 1999. She is greatly missed by us all. Please send her goods thoughts where-ever she is now. Written by: Jóna Rúna Kvaran;      Translated by: Nína Rúna Kvaran; Email ...