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Don't Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training Paperback – November 1, 2006

by Karen Pryor (Author)

169 customer reviews

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"Whatever the task, whether keeping a four-year-old quiet in public, housebreaking a puppy, coaching a team, or memorizing a poem, it will go fast, and better, and be more fun, if you know how to use reinforcement."--Karen Pryor.

Now Karen Pryor clearly explains the underlying principles of behavioral training and through numerous fascinating examples reveals how this art can be applied to virtually any common situation. And best of all, she tells how to do it without yelling threats, force, punishment, guilt trips--or shooting the dog. 8 methods for putting an end to all kinds of undesirable behavior. The 10 laws of "shaping" behavior--for results without strain or pain through "affection training." How to combat your own addictions to alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, overheating or whatever, how to deal with such difficult problems as a moody spouse, an impossible teen, or an aged parent. Plus. . .House training the dog, improving your tennis game, keeping the cat off the table, and much more!

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

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Product Details

Paperback: 202 pages
Publisher: Ringpress Books; 3rd edition (November 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1860542387
ISBN-13: 978-1860542381
Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (169 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,994 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #9 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Psychology & Counseling > Psychotherapy, TA & NLP

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Customer Reviews

169

4.6 out of 5 stars

5 star		76%
4 star		12%
3 star		7%
2 star		3%
1 star		2%

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Top Customer Reviews

Art Based on Science

ByPaul Chanceon February 11, 2009

Format: Paperback

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.

66 comments 45 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Great information, applicable to all species!

Byrra104on October 14, 2010

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

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.

0Comment 24 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

The whys of positive reinforcement

ByKatieon August 25, 2011

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book goes into the underlying principles and techniques of behavior modification through positive reinforcement. The science is in, and has been for a while, that using positive reinforcement is the most effective way to teach anything with a spinal column the behavior you prefer it to do. Anyone interested in why and how positive reinforcement is such an effective behavior modification tool will like this book. I rate this book four stars instead of five because the author is first a scientist, not a writer, but her prose is readable enough and she explains the concepts succinctly. Despite the title, she didn't write this to teach people how to clicker-train their dogs, but if you are doing that, it will help you do it better.

0Comment 16 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Don't shoot the dog

ByLouise Basson Author of Winter Dogs; Living with Huskies as pet dogson July 27, 2010

Format: Paperback

Don't Shoot The Dog makes you think that this book is based on dogs...but in fact it is based on human relationships and Dolphin training as well. It's the best book I have ever read on positive reinforcement training. Maybe not the easiest read but so educational. As a dog trainer I apply this to my own training and even human relationships.

There is no force used in this method of training and can be used on almost anything and anyone. From kids to birds.
This is a must read for anyone serious about training their dogs and having better relationships with the people around them. To understand training this is the book to read.

0Comment 13 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

MUST READ for anyone leading anything--

ByMoveOnon October 10, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Not sure why this is so counterintuitive for people but I witness it everyday in how my 30+ managers interact with the staff members who report to them. We are starting a book club and this is first up and mandatory reading for all supervisors! Adding it to the orientation protocol for all new managers going forward as well! Expect to see job satisfaction scores skyrocket-- for staff members at all levels!

0Comment 3 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

A training book for animals and humans for your everyday life.

ByJes Joneson October 19, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

A previous coworker recommended this book, among many others, when I was coming into my interest in canine behavior and training and it's definitely a worthwhile read, or reference book, for those interested in training anything, or anyone.

Karen Pryor created an easy to read book breaking down positive reinforcement training, as well as other types of training and how they can be applied not only to animals, but to the people around us, within our work and school environment and pretty much in our day to day life. She explains how positive reinforcement provides better results over alternative methods of training by making plenty of comparisons to punishment based training methods as well as negative reinforcement training methods. I loved the incorporation of her personal stories, and training sessions, in order to emphasis certain drawbacks to punishment, and specific benefits to positive reinforcement training.

There was plenty of material in this book that overlapped with the novice clicker training course that I had taken a month ago which it allowed me to breeze through some parts but enough new material to keep me engaged and actively reading till the end.

Overall, a worthwhile read for those interested in pursuing training of any kind (or are looking for healthier ways to improve the relationships in their lives).

0Comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Great book for anyone involved in teaching/training - which is everyone!

ByA. Walkeron May 11, 2007

Format: Paperback

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.

0Comment 12 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

Pro dogs

Great education!

Published 16 days ago by rouika

Okay, But Nothing New

I was hoping for specific training techniques, the how-to of clicker training, for example. Instead, I got general information as she praised her own abilities.

Published 23 days ago by Steven Y.

Psychotherapist recommended

It is a quick easy read. I am using it to train my dog, my work colleagues and my kids because I tend to be a push over and typically get little compliance from others as a...Read more

Published 26 days ago by MN white male middle-aged resident #2769

How to change behavior

Are you a human who sometimes wishes you could adjust the behavior of other humans? Or animals? Or yourself? You need this book.

Published 1 month ago by Eva-Lise Carlstrom

great book

very helpful in training your dog good to have on hand to read

Published 1 month ago by Darrin Walters

but brilliant. I am complimented all the time on how ...

Buy this book! If you have a pet, this book will change your life. I used it for my rabbit and my pig. Simple, but brilliant.Read more

Published 1 month ago by GogolSouls

now this is a GREAT book. i read it from cover to cover ...

now this is a GREAT book. i read it from cover to cover and took notes- and I don't even have a pet! i used it on my kids. they love being trained like a dog.Read more

Published 2 months ago by Amazon Customer

works on dogs and people - (just don't tell the people)

Interesting take on Behavioral Psychology. Immediately applicable on both humans and animals. Got the lazy dog sitting, lying down, staying put and coming after only a few clicks.Read more

Published 2 months ago by Marc Sachnoff

Loved it! Tara Myers

Very helpful in building a behavioral foundation. Loved it!

Tara Myers, MS, LPCC
Orange County, CA

Published 2 months ago by Tara Myers

Five Stars

Great

Published 2 months ago by Joanne Fountain

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Don't Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training Paperback – November 1, 2006

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