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Don't Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training

by Karen Pryor (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 26 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0553253887
ISBN-10: 0553253883
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Don't Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training
Don't Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Bantam (September 1, 1985)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0553253883
  • ISBN-13: 978-0553253887
  • Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #431,489 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsEvery animal owner needs to read this book
By A Customer on December 5, 1996
Format: Paperback
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".
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5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent Book
By A Customer on July 20, 1999
Format: Paperback
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.
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4.0 out of 5 starsA good primer for training any animal -- 2 or 4 legged.
By A Customer on May 1, 1998
Format: Paperback
Karen Pryor writes a very concise, interesting, and humorous book. In it she gives you the basics on shaping behavior. It's a great primer, but don't look to it if you have specific questions. It doesn't tell you how, specifically, to get your dog to stop barking furiously when he's on the leash. It is great, however, for sit, fetch, and other tricks. I wish she would write another, more detailed, more specific book. I really like her school of thought.
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5.0 out of 5 starsA Must Have
By A Customer on July 6, 1999
Format: Paperback
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.
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5.0 out of 5 starsA MUST for anyone interested in NLP or persuasion
By KEVIN M. OCONNOR on March 5, 2000
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
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.
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5.0 out of 5 starsgreat advice for everyone
By michaelkruger on June 21, 2000
Format: Paperback
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.
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5.0 out of 5 starsHelped me practice violin more effectively
By A Customer on August 23, 1998
Format: Paperback
If you are a practicing musician, the poor "dog" you sometimes feel like shooting is yourself when your practicing isn't going well. This book has changed my entire approach to learning difficult music--I am both a happier person and a better violinist for having read it! Plus the book is delightful to read.
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2.0 out of 5 starsNot what I expected at all.
By AS Atwood on November 15, 2000
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsThe gold standard of operant conditioning.

Simply the best introduction to operant conditioning.

Published 10 months ago by Wreader
5.0 out of 5 starsBest book in training that I've seen in a long ...

Best book in training that I've seen in a long time. So impressed. Touches behavioural training from dolphins to coworkers to yourself and everything in between

Published 16 months ago by JAMIE ANDERSEN
5.0 out of 5 starsRequired reading for LIFE

Paradigm-shifting and still really fun to read! It breaks down the principles and has great examples of each, so it gets the point across effectively.

Published on January 25, 2014 by Geneva
5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent

Unexpectedly excellent guide to behavior change. Has helped me understand and improve my relationships with people as well as animals. Has also helped me break my own bad habits. Read more

Published on December 16, 2013 by irishgypsy
3.0 out of 5 starsbasic

This is basic dog training. All you need is some common sense. Good for beginners.

Published on December 31, 2007 by L.P.
5.0 out of 5 starsRead it twice

Great book! I found it entertaining and informative. Great for giving you ideas for all kinds of training situations based on the rules of conditioning and reinforcement. Read more

Published on April 1, 2006 by Shirley Evans
5.0 out of 5 starsThis is where you need to start .

Karen Pryor not only knows how to train animals, she gets you started on the road to sanity if you have pets or even children. She is awsome and she'll make you laugh too.

Published on January 3, 2002 by Tiger Buchman
5.0 out of 5 starsA huge step forward in understanding animal behaviour

I have recently purchased the book in South Africa ( have been collecting for the past 25 years) I loved what I could read however after p64 I FOUND AGAIN P33 TO P64... Read more

Published on September 24, 1999
1.0 out of 5 starsDopey, Misleading Book Relying on Discredited Theories

Although behaviorism has largely fallen out of favor because of the very limited picture it presents of the psyche, nonetheless people like Pryor persist with the idea that operant... Read more

Published on July 7, 1999

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