Customer Reviews (5)

One of a kind
My daughter loves this book.Variety of authors and experiences.Best book available for animal training.

Must, must, MUST buy this book!
This book is the Bible for anyone who wants to go into marine mammal training.It provides info on training techniques and vocabulary, types of behaviors trained, steps in training, articles written by several trainers around the country on puzzling subjects, and much more.I can't begin to describe how helpful this book has been to me.It is written in a very upfront and understandable fashion.It's easy to read and you find yourself reading it over and over again.I carry this book with me wherever I go.A definte must-have!Hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

The Trainer's Trainer
If you think you know anything about animal (dog) training, you might be surprised at how much you still have to learn after reading this book.If you are serious about training, this book is a "must read".If you think the book is too long, then you cannot possibly be a serious trainer.Ken- thanks for sharing your knowledge.You have given us the greatest gift of all.

A Valuable Resource for the Novice or Advanced Trainer
If you have an interest in animal training then you will find this book a valuable addition to your personal or professional library.

This book is a compilation of columns and previous articles by professional trainers AND clear explanations concerning basic and advanced training concepts.

Ken has taught animal training to students and trainers and has been very active in the marine animal training community for a number of years. As a result, his effort in compiling this book will give you insights into both wild and domestic animal training, operant conditioning, application of training priniciples, and clarification of terms.

As someone who has been in the wild and domestic animal training field for over 22 years I can honestly say you would be doing yourself a favor to add this one to your library.

Animal Training: Successful Aniaml Management Through Positi
I found this book very informative.This book broke training methods and techniques down to a beginners level, but went indepth enough for the expert trainer.Having the combination of papers and forum talks from IMATA conferences and information about training marine mammals made this a very good all around reference book.I recommend this book to experienced trainers, novice trainers, students doing research and people who just want to know about marine mammal training. ... Read more

Product Description
A celebrated pioneer in the field of no-punishment animal training,

Karen Pryor is responsible for developing clicker training—an all-positive, safe, effective way to modify and shape animal behavior—and she has changed the lives of millions of animals. Practical, engrossing, and full of fascinating stories about Pryor’s interactions with animals of all sorts, Reaching the Animal Mind presents the sum total of her life’s work. She explains the science behind clicker training, how and why it works, and offers step-by-step instructions on how you can clicker-train any animal in your life.

For bonus video clips, slide shows, articles, downloadable exercises, and links expanding on the contents of the book, go to www.reachingtheanimalmind.com. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (65)

Not Just for Animals!
I feel the need to stress, up front, that while this book would appear to be a book about training animals, it has fundamental applications for anyone wishing to change or shape behaviour.

You may have heard of Karen Pryor because of her now famous book, Don't Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training. It was purchased by many dog lovers who then discovered it wasn't necessarily about training dogs!

Reaching The Animal Mind
Karen Pryor's book is based on BF Skinner's research with operant conditioning. The clicker is basically a metal tongue in a plastic housing that makes a click sound when pressed and is used to `mark' quite specifically the desired behaviour. There is hard scientific evidence to back up her work. Pryor, however, avoids the usual boring academic style of writing in favour of a lighthearted approach that makes it fun and humorous to read.

Pryor began training dolphins at Sea Life Park in Hawaii in 1961. Remember that very little was known about dolphins in 1961. Her main qualification for getting the job was that she was married to the Director of the park.

The other trainers were having only limited success with training the wild caught dolphins. This book follows Pryor's journey as she trains creatures as diverse as wolves, dolphins, horses, elephants, fish and dogs. She even trained a hermit crab to ring a bell.

Have an open mind
This book should be read with an open mind and the many step-by-step examples make it easy to understand why clicker training can be used to train ANY animal (including the human animal). There are many short videos on her web site showing how clickers are used with animals and people to achieve amazingly quick and often stunning results.

When used with humans, clicker training is renamed TAG training (Teaching with Acoustical Guidance). Although it's exactly the same, some objected to the term `clicker training' being used with people because it's become associated with animal training.

Improve sports performance
Golfers, gymnasts and other sports people have all improved their performance with TAG training and children are able to TAG each other as peers. Autistic or disabled children have been taught ways to improve their behaviour. A group of fishermen were also trained to improve their performance despite language barriers. There's a description of how a group of young girls were taught to do a Fosbury Flop over a high jump in just 15 minutes of TAG training. You can watch the excellent video that goes with it on the Reaching the Animal Mind web site.

The impact on the brain
Karen proves that you can train any animal to do anything that it's physically and mentally capable of doing. The thing that I've found the most fun is exploring just how far those mental and physical capabilities extend.

One of the most fascinating things about this book is that the `click' sound the clicker makes has a direct impact on the amygdala, the reptilian part of the brain. It registers the click as `new information' and all brains are wired to search out new information.

Absolutely fascinating reading and recommended for those who have an interest in how people and animals learn and how behaviour can be shaped using only positive reinforcement.

MUST READ!!!!!
Pryor is excellent in this new book! Written as if she is having a most intriguing conversation with you. If you have any interest in animals or just a student of psychology and learning (human or animal) you must not miss out on reading this book. It is not so much about the mechanics of clicker training as it is about Pryor's experiences early in the development. This book will have you smiling as you read, laughing and begging for more! Thank you Karen for sharing your experience with us! Absolutely outstanding!

Great Book
I think this book tops don't shoot the dog. The internet site with corresponding videos made it even more valueable

Fascinating Look Into Shaping Animal Behavior
First off, this is not a how-to book on clicker training your dog, so if that's what you're looking for try one of the author's other books.

This is more of an explanation about how and why clicker training works, and a history of the author's experiences with training different animals with the method. She even gets into using it on people with things like gymnastics. It's a fascinating glimpse into shaping behavior and communicating with animals. It gets pretty academic in places - I like reading that kind of book but your mileage may vary. Some of it gets repetitive, and at times it feels like the author is trying to pound her point across with examples. But overall, I quite enjoyed it.

Started out interestingthen lost momentum
The book started out interesting.Lots of experience with animals primarily dolphins but eventually the book took a turn and seemed to be the beginnings of a doctoral thesis.Too much about theory and not enough information I could use. It is worth reading but not as good as I expected. ... Read more

Product Description
Featuring the most current positive training methods for housetraining, crate training, socialization, and basic obedience, Puppy Training and Care carries you from your new puppy's first night home to the first vet visit and addresses common puppy problems. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (21)

Don't be put off by the high falutin' language!
I first read this book when it was initially published, and have reread it many times.It's one of my favorite books.Like many reviewers, I was initially put off by the complex language of this book, but I was also entranced by how Hearne applied complex philosophical ideas to the practical situation of dog training.For the reviewers who find her methods cruel - she spoke of this reaction with the sections on "humaniacs"! I have also found it instructive to compare this book to the TV show "Dog Whisperer."I think Cesar Milan demonstrates the same approach to dog training as Hearne, but without the high falutin' verbiage.

overwordy and impractical
I received this book (a different edition) several years ago as a gift when I was in high school. I didn't understand it then, and now re-reading it as a graduate student, I still don't understand it. This book isn't useful as a training guide, since it's thoroughly wrapped up in long-winded linguistic and philosophical discussions. The author is very fond of showing off her writing skills by writing extremely long, complex, and difficult to understand essays. For example, take a look at the first sentence of the first chapter:

"The impulse behind this book is specifically philosophical, which is a way of saying that the circumstances of my life have been such that it mattered enormously to me to find an accurate way of talking about our relationships with domestic animals."

To translate that into normal language: "The events that have occurred in my life taught me the importance of finding an accurate way of talking about our relationships with domestic animals." Less poetic, certainly, but much more understandable.

Other fallacies (in my opinion):
--"humanizing" animals by assigning human emotions and human reasoning to animals, but until animals miraculously become human language-users, it is impossible to say that their reasoning is the same as ours.
--the discussion on animal "stories" isn't very clear, at times it seems like she forgets that animals have not read these "stories" and does not remember that the human perceptions of "stories" influences human behavior, which then influences animal behavior
--poor citation of sources (I say this as a science graduate student, but I was continually questioning what sources she was pulling her information from.)

The only good thing that I got out of this book was a very clever poem by John Hollander called "Kitty and Bug". You could probably find an electronic version of it somewhere online, if you look hard enough.

For a much more straightforward and useful discussion of animal psychology and training, check out "Cesar's Way" by Cesar Millan, or any number of other good training manuals

Would recomend to stay away from this book
This book seams to come from a person, who doesn't understand animals at all. No creature on earth responds to cruelty or psycho like behavior.

A lot of humans take animals's patience for granted and treat them this way. On the other hand, if you simply observe their behaviour and try to communicate with respect you can get them to understand you and you can understand them as well. Animals are so intelligent, smart and loving creatures, who are here to teach us - humans to have patience and respect.

The author seams to be missing this point, feeling above the animals and supposedly allowing herself to use simply sadistic practices to get her point accross. Her Ego and ignporance speaks through the book,filled with "intelligent" phrases and wordy metaphors. It's perfect example of when a lot of education might not be a good thing.

This book is full of examples of human ignorance and disrespect for animals, which are not below or above of anyone, they are simply who they are and deserve to be loved like any other creature on earth.

cruel and useless
I have read dozens of books on animal behavior, communication, training and the like, and usually take away a useful lesson or two from even the less impressive ones.Not this time, this book mainly seems to serve the purpose of boosting the author's ego and her determination to display her own intelligence, education and supposed insights are longwinded and off-putting.
However, the above would still not have moved me to leave a negative review if at times all this psycho-babble seems nothing more than a thin veil covering excuses for cruel training methods.Not a book for animal lovers!

Needs more common sense, less philosophy
Anyone who lives with animals knows they have emotions - no need to make a big philosophical thing about it.Just plain common sense would do it.I read part way through the book but stopped because it was so convoluted, so I didn't come to some of the parts others have described as cruel. ... Read more

Product Description
Have you always wanted to do private training, but didn't know how to go about it? This guide is like having a friend explain it all. You'll start with exercises to assess your current skills, learn about sales and scheduling, and view sample phone scripts. Then it's on to the ins and outs of taking a history: questionnaires are broken down into lifestyle, training and behavior issues, and include explanations of what your clients' answers might mean. You'll get pointers on designing lesson plans and protocols, tips on promoting client follow-through, and an entire chapter devoted to commonly asked questions. There's even a bonus section with ready-to-use forms, contracts and handouts!

- Pros and cons of selling single sessions vs. packages
- What to do if an owner cannot perform an exercise correctly
- Which exercises should never be done back to back
- Which questions are crucial to ask in aggression cases
- How to work with two dogs in a home
- Special considerations for working with elderly clients
- Whether to offer discounted rates to shelters or rescues
- How to handle a recommendation for euthanasia
- Where to get further training on behavior issues
...and much more! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Best Bark for Your Buck
Nicole is the most generous writer! She doesn't need to give us all of her secrets, but she openly and honestly shares all her experience as one of the foremost trainers in the dog world. She speaks to the reader as a friend and colleague, using humor and clear, concise language. She doesn't miss a detail yet makes you never want to put the book down. Her logical, sensible approach to people training lets you trust everything she tells you. In a business where you feel much on your own, Nicole gives you invaluable guidance. She is one in a billion.

A MUST-HAVE for any trainer's library
This book, along with 'So you want to be a dog trainer' are must-haves for any trainer's library.Incredibly useful, even for experienced trainers.If you need help devising an overall plan, you need this book.Contracts, questionnaires, hand-out ideas, etc.... Excellent, and time saving!!!

A Dog Trainer's Guide to Private Training
Great book for all trainers. Another handy tool to have in the trainer's tool box.

Thanks Mike

Fantastic book for dog trainers
I purchased this book when I'd already been in business as a professional dog trainer for almost 3 years; I found so much helpful information, especially regarding contracts, lesson packages, and history forms and why I needed them. There were many other miscellaneous tidbits that transformed how I run my business as a whole. This book should be on every dog trainer's book shelf.

A must read before knocking on a client's door!
So many books are geared towards training methods and theory.This one is written for trainers planning on venturing into the realm of private training.It's well written and full of useful information, much of which one might not consider prior to establishing a business and taking on that first client.Especially helpful were Nicole Wilde's chapters on phone skills and scripts.These chapters would benefit anyone who conducts dog-related interviews on the phone regardless of whether you do private training or not.Shelter staff, volunteers and anyone involved in dog rescue can improve their interview skills with this book.Also included are business resources, sample contracts and sample history questionaires.A great return on the investment spent reading this one.Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description
Learn secrets used by professional trainers. ABC of Animal Training is a comprehensive, entertaining and easy-to-understand DVD and Study Guide for training animals using positive reinforcement techniques. This 3 hour video series teaches you how to train any species of animal using the techniques of professional trainers around the world. Our professional trainers reveal the science behind positive reinforcement training and show you how to use the techniques you'll learn. This video series and study guide provide the knowledge and tools you'll need to be a successful trainer. Best of all, it's fun to watch and easy to understand.Package includes:1.Two Disc DVD Guide: Each of the sevenchapters covers an essential element of Operant Conditioning, better known as positive reinforcement training.2.Bonus Video: Training Time with Mike Wood.Host Mike Wood will show you how what you learn fits into the real world.3.The 150 page Illustrated Study Guide: compliments the video series so you can easily review. information at your own pace.4.Reinforcement pouch included.5.Training clicker included. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

excellent!!!!!!!!!!
ABC Animal Training, Unlock the Power of Positive Reinforcement (DVD & Study Guide)

excellent!!!!
i have been working with marine mammals and other terretrias spescies for more then 10 years.
and this book helped me alot, it made me understand perfectely operant conditioning and how it works.
shelley did an excellent job she put everything very easy to understand, now im in charge of teching new trainers and i use the abc and all the trainers love it because they understand it.}it helped alot tht she made an excellent book where she shows tons of examples that made you understand perfectely everytrhing.
i recommend the abc of animal training for anyone who is in the field or want to get involved in it.
odette ... Read more

Product Description
Shaping top performance positively!In this breakthroughbook, Morgan Spector shows you how and why to use clicker training,the technology of operant conditioning and positive reinforcement, totrain you dog. Whether you're startingoff with a new puppy or headedfor the Obedience ring, these step-by-step instructions will work foryou.

You'll learn how you can use positive reinforcers, instead of forceand punishment, to build reliable performance at every level oftraining.

If you just want a hassle-free, truly enjoyable companion dog, thisbook will show you how, even if you've never trained before. And ifyou have visions of going all the way to top scores and Obediencechampionships - with a happy, eager, positively trained canine partner- go for it!

Here's your travel guide for a wonderful journey. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (32)

Don't Use a Clicker, Unless You Are God Forbid Mute!!!
Unless you are mute, this book is all about bribing your dog left and right with treats. If you want something logical, practical and even natural, stay away from this book and this philosophy. Why can't we mark a command or even a trick with our voice? Am I the only one missing something here?

Great Book
This is an excellent book on not only Obedience Training but the true Art of Clicker Training. An experienced or novice person will gain much from this book.

Clicker Training
One of the very first books I ever read on the subject. This book became sort of a primer for me.

Clicker Training for Obedience by Morgan Spector
The book arrived when the "student" was ready.This will be the bible for my dog re-training.This will sharper and refine my footwork and my approach.I will really look at a different ways to train than jerk and praise of which I have rejected "most" of the time.

Clicker Training for Obedience
This book is fantastic for anyone who is wanting to do obedience trialling with their dog. In the few weeks that I have used the methods described in the book, my dog has improved 10 fold !!!. Starts with the very basic's, the use of a target stick, step by step through all the exercises that are used in obedience trials.
For the young puppy to the older "trained" dog and everything in between.With 100% positive reinforcements used, this is the only way to train your dog. ... Read more

Product Description
A renowned dog trainer gives you the positive training tools you need to share a lifetime of fun, companionship, and respect with your dog. Plus, you'll get: information on the importance of observing, understanding, and reacting appropriately to your dog's body language; instructions on how to phase out the use of a clicker and treats to introduce more advanced training concepts; a diary to track progress; suggestions for treats your dog will respond to; and a glossary of training terms. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (72)

Very Useful for Learning about "Positive Training"
I found this this book to be a very good resource for applying "positive training" to my Labrador Retreiver.This technique can teach the dog how to perform with excitement to please rather than fear of the trainer.

Awesome Content!
Amazing content! We haven't actually gotten our dog yet but the stuff the author says in here really makes sense. I have seen way too many people take a perfectly good dog and either make them mean, very shy and timid, or hard headed (myself included). But that is why we got this book. Not only does it give the how to on training but it gives insight into how dogs think and why doing what the author tells you to do works. Its not like other books that say "do it this way" and you don't know why. It is giving the whole picture. Speaking of pictures, don't buy the book for the pictures because they are black and white and not very good. I did not knock off any stars for pictures because the content is that amazing. The book offers a training program for the first 6 weeks after you bring the puppy home that you can rearrange according to how well your dog is doing.It also gives troubleshooting and the first things you should do when you get him home. It is a must read, Must do kind of book! Cannot wait to try it out on our dog!

BASIC CLICKER TRAINING TECHNIQUES
I am planning to adopt a puppy soon. Having never had a dog I know I'm going to need help with training. I'm planning to take my puppy to training classes but feel I should prepare myself prior to getting the puppy. This book does this. It's well written by a professional dog trainer. It is a reward system utilizing a "clicker." It covers everything, including dreaded potty training. I'm going to use it for planning and as a reference. As the author says it's easier to train the dog right the first time rather than trying to delete an unwanted behavior.

Basically Let's Just Give All Dogs Treats Just For Being Alive!!!
Any moron can bribe a dog with treats constantly and call it dog training. Your dog should listen because you said so. He needs to respond because of your love, technique and proper knowledge, not hot dogs, cheese, beggin strips or salami.Where is your common sense you guys?

Also, it's best to use treats for obedience competitions or if you are dealing with an extremely fearful dog. Is that really you?!?! Is your dog that afraid of you that the minute he sees you, he pees himself or is nowhere to be found? I seriously doubt it.

Again, you can bribe your dog yourself. You don't need to read this book or even work with some cookie trainer. Here's how I will make you think twice. Would you call this method practical, smart or even natural?

Reality Check: Give your dog treats, but at the very "end" of your training sessions and once in a while. If your dog sees or even smells the treats in your hands, sorry, you are relying on treats instead of your bond, love and your leadership. If you honestly think that dogs love to please, you wouldn't need to use a milk bone every single time.

Face it. It doesn't take much skill or talent to give a dog treats for everything. We didn't teach our kids this way. Did you learn your ABC's with Twinkies and Kit Kats? I hope not.

Conclusion: This positive reinforcement got me negative outcome. A fat dog with explosive diarrhea that licks his mouth and looks in my hand every time I ask him to sit. Kudos to the author.

gentle guidance
with two very rambunctious border collie puppies any advice was good advice. or so i thought until i read pat millers' positive dog training book.she doesn't preach but gently guides newcomer puppy owners.her book is full of encouragement and practical training tips to help ease the daily frustrations and defeats faced when dealing with two highly intelligent and at times challenging puppies. I highly recommend this book for not only reassuring new dog owners but also in helping to reinforce that behavioural change can occur without cruelty but with lots of love and kindness.
well done pat! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

THE definitive book on animal training!
Pete Davey has written, in my mind, the best animal training book there is.Davey, a professional animal trainer, shows how the common person can train ANY animal using the same techniques he uses when training dolphins.Even if all you want is to have your dog sit when asked you'll gain the knowledge how to effectively execute the behavior.You'll learn what terms like: bridge, positive reinforcement, stimulus, operant conditioning and many others mean.Bravo, Mr. Davey!

Author teaches how to stop being held hostage by your pet
Whales with Fur

As a dog lover, I am proud of what my beagle hound Shadow can do. He can do regular dog things like roll over, say hello, and stay. It was not easy teaching him these skills, and I have failed in a number of other efforts.

For instance, if I throw a tennis ball, he will pursue it, but he will not yield it up, preferring instead to slurp it, chew it, and toss it in the air for himself. As a hound, he is a prisoner of his nose. So efforts to convince him to refrain from smelling our guests, with emphasis on certain sensitive areas of their bodies, have been equally unsuccessful. As a result, when visitors come, he must be leashed. Although he sits agreeably by me during visits, it is a little embarrassing that I can not let him loose. He sometimes barks when gullible people are eating, because he enjoys people food. He will steal it if we turn our backs on him.

Had I been able to read Whales with Fur prior to teaching Shadow some manners, I would have had an easier time of it. This book is written by an expert on animals, but it is written in an easy-to-understand manner. For instance, on the matter of fetching, I immediately saw the error of my ways.

Like many other owners, I always threw the ball and when my dog ran towards me, I would offer him a bit of doggie biscuit. Of course, as soon as Shadow saw the biscuit, he dropped the ball, ran to gobble the treat, almost choking himself with enthusiasm, and then ran back to pick up the ball and take off for parts unknown.

Author Pete Davey sheds a great deal of light on this matter by explaining that instead of teaching the dog to run after the ball, an owner must first teach the dog to release the ball in a backward training approach. Davey uses terms like "bridge" for the stimulus that communicates to the dog what you want him to do so that he will get the "reinforcer" or reward. Davey explains that you actually begin the training with the goal. He writes, "Think of training the behavior backwards. The last thing in the sequence of events you want Laddie to do is hand you the Frisbee. Right? So put the Frisbee in Laddie's mouth. Then, at the same time your hand is holding the Frisbee and Laddie holds the Frisbee in his mouth, bridge (whistle) and reinforce (hot dog piece)."(pg. 49)

That advice makes so much sense to me now, but until I read this book, it never occurred to me. Whales with Fur is full of such advice. It is more than a book, it's a complete system for teaching an animal good behavior. The foreword is by Jack Hanna, Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, and also host of TV's "Animal Adventures." Author Pete Davey, Director of Training for Marineland of Florida, has been involved in advanced animal training and care for 16 years. He's worked with whales, dolphins, sea lions, seals, tigers, birds, and many other species.

If you want your horse to jump higher, or your dog to quit falling apart as soon as he sees the vet, this book's for you. Davey covers cats that scratch, dogs that dig, and teaching animals how to perceive that "good" means the behavior is what you want them to do.

Davey's writing style is peppered with humor, and that's a nice touch that makes solid information more user-friendly. Consider this passage about taking your pooch to the vet: "Most people will claim Skipper KNOWS when he is going to the vet. In reality it is far more likely that he knows the car ride is going to end in something negative. It is very unlikely that Skipper's brain comes up with, "Wow, that lady is getting her purse, putting the children in the car, and now is coming towards me...my goodness, we must be embarking to the veterinary office, where I might be stuck upon the rump with a sharp needle. I know...I'll run away!"(pg. 127)

The photographs and illustrations in the book enhance the reader's experience. There's one photo of a large marine animal with a human foot protruding from the animal's mouth. Apparently, the trainer hadn't read Whales with Fur.

In our home, we'll be trying Davey's techniques on our beagle hound. Maybe one day, we?ll be able to leave a turkey sandwich unguarded. I'll definitely be buying some copies for my family and friends, with several unruly pets in mind. Hopefully, loved ones will learn to get the dog or cat to do what the humans want instead of being held hostage by their pets.
... Read more

Product Description
Clicker training is an increasingly popular topic in theequestrian community. This innovative, fun, and effectivetraining method uses no-force, positive techniques that areextremely appealing to both horse and rider.

Getting to Yes is the most complete book available on this subject, and it offers the best value within its price category. This expertly written book contains detailed guidelines for goal setting and lesson plans that show you how to use clicker training to teach your horse basic manners as well as improving advanced riding and dressage skills. It also combines principles from clicker training with traditional horsemanship and classical dressage to improve handling and performance. Step-by-step clicker training basics are presented in easy-to-follow lessons with numerous instructional photographs that will benefit both the novice and more advanced rider in enhancing practical skills, timing, ground manners, and riding. Training and handling problems are broken down into hands-on, trainable exercises to correct behavior and riding issues with lasting results.

For an in-depth look at this exciting and modern horse training method, Getting to Yes is an indispensable tool to help guide you to improved horsemanship through better and more effective communication with your equine companion. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

nice to see more clicker books, but some parts aren't quite right
Let me start off by saying I've been clicker training horses for years. I am by no means an expert.I collect all the clicker books I can, especially when the topic is horses.

PROS
I love seeing a new title on horse clicker training!There is so much you can do with horses using a little positive reinforcement.It's probably the most under appreciated method in the equine world.

Photos are nice and the book is full-color.At 300 pages there is a lot of content.

It does try to cover basics, some common groundwork issues, and under saddle.

CONS
The thing I like about clicker training is that it's based on logical, repeatable science. So, logic-lover than I am, I was a little bothered by a few unclear parts of the book that bordered on being incorrect or confusing.

A few examples:

--A target is NOT a lure. A lure is the reinforce, eg. a carrot in the hand. A target is an object you've associated with a behavior alread, eg. some object that you've trained to have a value/association triggering the 'touch' behavior. There is a whole lot more done with lures in dog training, so if you want to understand lures vs targeting check out some of the dog clickertraining sites.

-- It's confusing to say an "aid is a guide" in the aids section. In the glossary: "aids can be differentiated from cues in that when one speaks of cues, one expects a correlation between one cue and one well defined response." I don't know what she means by that, but it doesn't make any sense.An aid is a horse-logical cue.For example by pulling a horse's head to the left (left rein aid), it's natural for the horse to turn his neck and then whole body left. A cue can be *anything* horse logical or not.You could yell "spaghetti" and he'd turn his head to the left -- that would be a cue.(Hope that makes better sense?) I suggest people google "cues versus aids" online and you'll find lots of great articles explaining this important difference.

- Author says a half-pass cannot be cued which is incorrect. Watch some of the unmounted horse freestyle videos for examples of complex actions that are put on cue.Go to YouTube & search for freestyles.

- in Ch 8 leading is explained as the horse targeting the human.That is incorrect : the "target" behavior is defined by 'animal touches object'. But when you lead you *don't* want him bumping into you all the time.A better leading exercise is another author's "Why Would You Leave Me" exercise (Alexandra Kurland).You could start leading by holding a target and asking him to touch it while he walks alongside, but that's not how author explains the exercise.

- In Ch 10 about lounging: she suggests using a lead rope.Take a 10 or 15' lead rope, subtract a few feet out to hold onto, and now your circle is about 16-25 feet in diameter.That's really too small to effectively work in all gaits. In some sections she is running alongside of the horse on a smaller circle. Perhaps ground driving would be a better way to do this exercise?

I don't agree with insisting people use pressure to teach leading (backing up, etc). You can if you want to, but the whole BEAUTY of clicker training is you don't need to!Horses are smarter than we give them credit for; they can cue off our body langauge.It's so liberating to free myself from having to lift or tug the lead rope.I can walk along with my horse on 100% *slack* rope.He moves forward when I move, not because I applied pressure to a rope. When I step back, he steps back.If lead rope vanishes, he still follows and backs up.Clicker training is far more powerful than people give it credit for.

I'm also concerned that there isn't enough in the way of safety/horse handling. For example there isn't any explanation of what to do if a horse kicks.How do you know if it's an aggressive kick, an accidental kick with flies in the way, or a misunderstanding when someone cued for foot lifting in a clumsy way?When a horse gets frustrated, people may not realize the horse may get a little excited. Some horses may already have bad habits from before, and in a fit of frustration he may pin his ears or in a few rare cases threaten to rear.When delivering the food reward, how does one avoid being nipped by a horse who has never been taught manners? If this book is geared towards novices who haven't mastered horse language/feel yet, how will they know when to work behind protective contact (eg a stall door)? Please -- safety first!

Sorry to be nit-picky.It's just that there are so few books about this topic. A curious person may only pick up one book, and if they are given confusing information they may not give clicker training a second chance.

For all horse owners
Are you sceptic of clicker training? Curious? Or already hooked? Regardless of who you are, chances are good you'll enjoy this book. Even if you're not convinced that clicker training is right for you, you'll probably get lots of new ideas on how to train your horse.

There are many books on riding, but good books about groundwork are less plentiful. Getting to Yes is such a book. Sharon Foley explains the scientific background for clicker training, describes how to get started, and goes on to give detailed advice on how to prepare a horse for riding. She has a flair for explaining things in a clear way which makes her instructions easy to follow, even for us who haven't had much experience in horse training.

The author's aim is a fine dressage horse, but her method is applicable for all horses. I for one prefer trail riding, but even ambling through the woods I sure would like my horse to be light, soft, and responsive. After reading Getting to Yes, I feel - for the first time ever - that I actually might be able to develop these qualities in my horse. Not because this one book instantly turned me into a good trainer, far from it, but because the text is so inspiring and helps me understand what steps to take, in what order.

Zen Horsemanship
Getting to Yes is brilliant! Absolutely, brilliant...think about the title...imagine being able to say "yes" to the horse. To be able to really communicate with another creature. This book shows you how you can create a communication system that will allow you to speak horse. And, at the same time teach your horse to speak your unique version of human. Each one of use moves and is slightly different. Consider the possibility for confusion for an animal finely tuned to read subtle differences in posture and even breathing. In Getting to Yes, Sharon Foley has successfully brought together the old masters, recent training based on thinking and acting like a horse and the idea of recognizing and answering the questions from the horse with a "yes". Everyone decides for themselves whether or not to use a clicker or simply to recognize the horse for his unique desire to try. The steps and the illustrations are here for you to see and to follow, simply and easily! ANYONE can do this! This book is especially for the person who may be familiar with clicker training other species. Horses are just not dogs. They are your true mirror;you have the opportunity to share, to participate in and to experience a potentially world-changing shift in thought. This is book truly a gift. ... Read more

Product Description
Your reward is a well-behaved dog!

Young and old, large and small, pedigreed and mixed-breed, dogs respond to clicker training. Preferred by many professionals, clicker training is a positive, precise, and effective method of reinforcing good behavior. Noted dog trainer Miriam Fields-Babineau explains clicker training techniques step by step so that all dog owners can use the approach. Whether you want to train your dog to obey basic commands, perform tricks, compete in performance sports, or do service work, clicker training gets results and enhances your relationship with your dog. Focusing on actual techniques rather than theory and science, this book explains how to:
* Use the three-step pattern: lure, click, reward
* Use an appropriate tone of voice and the right verbal cues
* Incorporate visual cues, with suggestions for signals for specific actions
* Distraction-proof your dog, teaching him to focus on you (and the clicker) even when there's lots of commotion


With real-life examples from the author's experiences plus photos that illustrate proper form, this book will get you and your dog enthusiastic about training.It's truly rewarding! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Comprehensive and easy to understand!
As a long time dog lover that has a pack of 5 dogs living under my roof I found this book to be very comprehensive and to the point.Ms. Babineau addresses not only basic training for newbies and more advanced training for those that are ready, but also addresses issues that often creep up later on such as barking and digging.Her instructions are concise and easy to understand and apply...and very effective.Like children, not all dogs learn the same way and she has suggestions for some gentle tools that can prove to be quite helpful in training an easily distractible dog.This is one of thebooks that I most often recommend to new puppy owners.

Still suggests using 'corrections' - not totally positive!
If you're trying to have a positive relationship with your dog then clicker training is the way to go. That said this book still teaches you how to 'punish' your dog using the head halter.

The quote "Few dogs can learn with purely positive reinforcement." Justifies the use of a 'humane training device' and further corrections for incorrect behavior.

If Ms. Fields-Babineau took the time to teach her dog she wouldn't need to use corrections. People want instant success and by using corrections people may get them, but at what price?

Head halters should never be used to give a correction to a dog and this is what is advocated in this book. Head halters also have been shown to shut many dogs down. It totally depresses the dog and while it may behave while using this device you have to retrain the behavior once you stop using it. Instead of training the behavior that you want with the head halter and then redoing it with just a flat collar and leash, teach the behavior once and set your criteria based upon the individual dog.

What's with using a "growly low" voice? "Growling No"? If you want a positive relation with your dog and you want your dog interacting with you instead of afraid of you, why would you use this?

If you want to learn clicker training get a book by Pat Miller, Pamela Dennison, or Melissa Alexander and have a truly positive relationship with your dog without using corrections and growly voices. ... Read more

Product Description
Have you ever wondered how a sheep dog, police horse, leopard or octopus is trained? Drawing on interviews with leading animal trainers, Carrots and Sticks offers 50 case studies that explore the step-by-step training of a wide variety of companion, working and exotic animals; reviews the preparation of animals prior to training and common pitfalls encountered. The book brings behavioural science to life, explaining animal training techniques in the language of learning theory. Opening sections on instinct, rewards, punishers and intelligence are richly infused with examples from current training practice and establish the principles that are explored in the unique case studies. Its accessible style will help reassess your preconceptions and simplify your approach to all animal-training challenges. This exciting text will prove invaluable to anyone with an interest, amateur or professional, in the general basics of training, as well as students of psychology, veterinary medicine, agriculture and animal science. ... Read more