Customer Reviews

Don't Shoot the Dog! The New Art of Teaching and Training, Revised Edition

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is my favorite training book (and isn't just about dog training- it's about operant conditioning for the average Joe). It humorously and thoroughly explains how to influence and shape behavior using well-timed reinforcement. This book will be especially helpful to people trying to train animals to do unusual behaviors (such as disabled people who are self-training their own assistance dog). When you're done reading this, you'll understand how to break literally any behavior down into small manageable pieces that you can train for. But don't assume it's just for animal trainers. I know an excellent manager who read this book when he was first promoted to management. It's a quick-read, it's fun, and the info is very valuable. Certainly a "must read".

Every pet owner should read this book. Also any parents that have a child with autism.It teaches and explains how our pets view our actions and how they react to us. You can't believe the things you may be unaware you are teaching your pet. Some may be causing poor behavior. This book completely explains the correct way to train and get good behavior from your pet. It also explains how to eliminate bad behavior. I own a parrot and have put into practice many of the suggestions mentioned in the book. The suggestions WORK! I bought both the book and the audio CD because you need to read or listen to the author several times to fully grasp her work. So having both has been useful.The book goes into great detail so be prepared to concentrate, learn and open your mind to concepts that are scientifically based. No unsupported claims made in this book! GET THIS BOOK!

When I first read this book, I was so fascinated that I read it again and again. It's not a step by step manual for dog training but it's a behavioral modification manual. I also purchased "Clicker Training for your Horse" by Alexandra Kurland which deals with the same thing only this is much more of a step by step training book. I loved both books and it definitely gives one a much more positive outlook on life. And it makes for MUCH happier, mentally healthier pets. I also will read Anything by the Monks of New Skete...for dog training.But this is just a way...you can use any method of training with it.

I am sure that many will find this book very good and very useful. I was looking for more of a practical guide rather than an investigation of the psychological underpinnings of conditioned training. If you are looking for a practical guide to training, look elsewhere.

This book was recommended by my dog obedience teacher. In addition to helping me to understand the philosophy and methods behind positive reinforcement (Clicker) dog training, I was able to learn a lot about myself and the world around me. This book should be required reading for teachers, coaches, managers, and of course pet owners.

This is a FANTASTIC book about using positive reinforcement to increase incidences of behavior we like (both in animals and humans) and decrease incidences of behavior we don't like. The author makes an utterly convincing set of arguments for discounting punishment as an effective training technique. I think the vast majority of us would have found our school years far more engaging, enriching, and humane had all of our teachers assimilated the lessons of this book.

If you are looking for a basic dog training book, then you will be disappointed. Most dog training books focus on specific methods, whereas this book focuses on principles of behavior modification. That said, you will learn tons about application of behavior modification principles from this book, and they work on any species, humans included. It's a great read, full of valuable information.

A book doesn't stay in print for over 20 years without meeting a need, and this book does that: It provides an introduction to the basic principles of behavior change in highly readable language. That makes it useful for anyone interested in training or teaching -- pet owners and professional animal trainers, of course, but also parents, teachers, corporate trainers and managers, spouses, and just about everybody else.

The title (which comes from a list of ways you can get "rid of" unwanted behavior) is unfortunate, in my opinion, because it suggests that the book is limited to dog training when in fact it is much broader than that. Indeed, some people have criticized the book because it is NOT a dog training manual. The subtitle comes much closer to describing the nature of the book.

Many people think that you need one set of procedures to train dogs, another to train cats, another for horses, another for people, and so on, so they look for a species-specific how-to. It's true that some critters learn faster than others and people get a lot more from watching models and from hearing instructions than do dogs and cats. It's also true that a book aimed at teaching or training a particular species will provide useful concrete examples. But the principles of behavior, and most of the procedures for changing behavior (which is what teaching and training are all about) are essentially the same no matter the species. This is why Pryor likes to say that no one should be allowed to have a baby until they have demonstrated that they can train a chicken.

Like a lot of people, Pryor tends to confuse negative reinforcement and punishment, as one reviewer pointed out. But to dismiss the book because of such an error is itself a far greater error. If my own book on classroom teaching proves to be as influential and durable as Pryor's book, I will be very pleased indeed.

Although I think I'm reviewing the previous edition, I can't imagine enough has changed that this review will be obsolete!

Kare Pryor presents the science of behavior in an easy-to-read, layman's format. No more huge textbooks, the general public now has a shorter, fun-to-read (full of amusing anecdotes!) book that will give them accurate information. Although gently promoting positive reinforcement training methods, Karen gives the science behind her reasoning. Great book for anyone who wants to change behavior, from pet dogs to spouses to children.

I found this book to be very useful before we got our dog. I use the concepts all the time in my training of our shepherd/husky. The concepts are spot on.

Karen is an insightful person and anyone can benefit from her vast wealth on experience. I am glad for my sake she stopped to put it on paper.