
Shaping top performance positively! In this breakthrough book, Morgan Spector shows you how and why to use clicker training, the technology of operant conditioning and positive reinforcement, to train you dog. Whether you're startingoff with a new puppy or headed for the Obedience ring, these step-by-step instructions will work for you.
You'll learn how you can use positive reinforcers, instead of force and punishment, to build reliable performance at every level of training.
If you just want a hassle-free, truly enjoyable companion dog, this book will show you how, even if you've never trained before. And if you have visions of going all the way to top scores and Obedience championships - with a happy, eager, positively trained canine partner - go for it!
Here's your travel guide for a wonderful journey.
Customer Review: European view
From european point of view the drawback of the book is that it describes the tasks of american rules for obedience trial. As we in europe have different set of tasks in our obedience trial the book did not fill the need for specific instructions on those tasks. I was also looking for more structured and simplified clear instructions in the book things are more of discussed through. Still the book was worth the money paid for it. It has lots of grounds for why to do this way. The basics of the book is fluencies on what the obedience tasks are based on and those same fluencies are still usefull with european rules too.
Customer Review: Best Book for those serious about Positive training
This book is for those serious about
: - obedience - agility - other sports, including herding - service dogs - or just an eager, happily-working and well-behaved pet. I'd suggest that people first have at least a basic understanding of operant conditioning (clicker training) but I say that only because Mr Spector provides a great deal of detail, explanation, trouble-shooting, and theory for each of the exercises, and his focus is on the serious trainer. Those are all advantageous aspects of this book, particularly for those of us who want the details and thought processes behind the actions. Working with totally positive principles, he guides us through the most basic of exercises right on through to utility exercises. Now, for someone not interested in competitive obedience you'd think this book is not the one for you -- not so! Many of the exercises and behaviours he details are transferrable to the agility ring (and elsewhere) and I've discovered some are also transferrable to herding. The style of writing is simple, straight-forward (not what you'd expect from a lawyer) and very easy to follow. He sometimes provides examples that relate to humans to help understand some of the principles - another plus. Filled with clear photographs, it is possible for any dog guardian to follow and understand his explanations. I also found that the logic he uses behind training certain exercises at certain stages, unlike many other trainers, made so much sense. One example: he recommends training a dog to heel off-leash before doing it on-leash. His explanation for why and how has worked flawlessly with my own dogs! I'll never go back to my old way again. He does this throughout his book. The index makes it easy to look up specific exercises, problems, or other related information. Even if your dog will never enter an obedience competition, and you simply want a reliable, happily-working, obedient dog -- this book will get you that and more.
More...