  The properties of the pygmy (PDR) and giant dipole resonance (GDR)in the
stable $^{40}Ca$,$^{44}Ca$ and $^{48}Ca$ isotopes have been calculated within
the \emph{Extended Theory of Finite Fermi Systems}(ETFFS). This approach is
based on the random phase approximation (RPA) and includes the single particle
continuum as well as the coupling to low-lying collectives states which are
considered in a consistent microscopic way. For $^{44}Ca$ we also include
pairing correlations. We obtain good agreement with the experimental data for
the gross properties of both resonances. It is demonstrated that the recently
measured A-dependence of the strength of the PDR below 10 MeV is well
understood in our model:due to the phonon coupling some of the strength in
$^{48}Ca$ is simply shifted beyond 10 MeV. The predicted fragmentation of the
PDR can be investigated in $(e,e')$ and $(\gamma ,\gamma')$ experiments.
Whereas the isovector dipole strength of the PDR is small in all Ca isotopes,
we find in this region surprisingly strong isoscalar dipole states, in
agreement with an $(\alpha,\alpha'\gamma)$ experiment. We conclude that for the
detailed understanding of the structure of excited nuclei e.g. the PDR and GDR
an approach like the present one is absolutely necessary.
