Customer Reviews

Excel-Erated Learning: Explaining in Plain English How Dogs Learn and How Best to Teach Them

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Very well written with good, specific examples. Presents a very well-rounded historical perspective about animal behavior in both scientific and practical examples. I have already read it a couple of times to allow all of the info to sink in. There is a LOT here!! It has very useful information whether you are a professional trainer or just fascinated by animal behavior. Buy this book and be nice to your dog.

Dr. Reid's book is the next step to take after you think you understand what operant conditioning is all about. You'll find that you didn't know it all! She explains complex concepts in an accessible manner, with many excellent examples. It's a book to keep handy for those times when you just can't remember what negative punishment is!

This is a terrific book for students wishing to fully understand learning theory. My only reservation in recommending this book to clients comes in its inclusion of practical applications (and endorsement?) of punishment. The dog training world has evolved beyond punishment-based methods. I hope to see a new edition of this book soon -- without the aversive bent.

I got a lot of helpfull information from this book. Not always easy to understand and retain if you don't give it your full concentration, and it would be easy to become obsessed with training details, also I hate to think of the author using electric collars, NOT pc these days. Well worth buying just the same

Simply excellent. It explained in clear terms how and why many techniques work and where they might go wrong. As someone who competes in obedience regularly I would highly recommend giving this book a read.

I've read about 20 books now as I am training to be a trainer. This book is difficult at best. It's definitely scientific in it's language which at times is hard to follow but the author also creates many abbreviations for terms that make reading it without having to look back virtually impossible. The second thing I find extremely inappropriate is the author's advocacy of leash jerks, shock collars and ear pinches. There is plenty of new research out there that offers ways to train your dog without doing irreparable damage to your relationship or exercising animal abuse as a sound way to exhibit control. Patricia McConnell, Stanley Coren and Turid Rugaas offer but better advice and write in a way that us mere mortals can understand.

General dog owners:
If you are looking for a manual that explains how to train your dog to do obedience tasks in a step-by-step style, this isn't it. Pam actually writes in her forward that while she hopes the book is accessible to everyone, it is primarily written for those who teach dogs. It is about how dogs learn and the why behind it, covering all the different training techniques and how learning occurs through those techniques. For the average reader, it can get a little heavy going with the jargon and theory at times, but I think Pam uses good illustrative examples at the right moments to help you through. Don't be too put off, you will definitely take a lot away from this book.

Dog trainers:
This book was good reinforcement of the concepts I have learnt in my dog training & behaviour course (the book was recommended by the facilitator). If you already have the qualifications, it's probably too basic for you. If you are starting out or lack the "science behind it all", it will be a good one to read and refer back to.

This book is great if you want to know in detail how dogs learn. It gets a bit confusing for the regular pet owner at times, but it explains in great detail on the best ways to train a dog.

This book bogs one down in the words and explanations. After three chapters I wish she would get to the point.

Great book. Really a good read. I am going to be using it in a chapter breakdown for my service dog training school. Teaches learning theory in an understandable way. Though I recommend taking notes and absorbing the book, no fast reading on this one.