Comments on: Why Karen Pryor was a game-changer, and not just for dog-trainers

By: Gina Spadafori

Gina Spadafori — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:09:27 +0000

Gina, the idea of someone alpha rolling *you* is enough to make my mother roll over in her grave. Comment by Phyllis DeGioia — November 9, 2009 This is what he is risking. He just doesn't realize it. :)

By: Phyllis DeGioia

Phyllis DeGioia — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:10:54 +0000

Gina, the idea of someone alpha rolling *you* is enough to make my mother roll over in her grave.

By: Amy

Amy — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:39:19 +0000

Yes, my obedience instructor clicks ME all the time. It is WONDERFUL!! I am a very poor clicker trainer, myself, and end up with a “muddy” clicker so I don’t use it much. But, SHE does and she clicks ME and it is awesome. Me and my dogs do SO well! At first I don’t think she even knew she did it. Then I made a point to ask her to do it when she wasn’t doing it. I think it is such a habit now I see/hear her clicking other students.

I feel so good when I hear that click, and I always know when it is for me or another student. :D

By: retrieverman

retrieverman — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:36:31 +0000

Enlightened management practices for all species owe Karen Pryor a debt.

By: Eucritta

Eucritta — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:22:31 +0000

When we got our Bertie, we signed up for a basic obedience course that was clicker-trained. So it’s all I know, and that not very well; but what I realized was, that all the best profs I had back in uni *had* used it. Not a clicker, mind - though that would certainly have been funny! - but every one of them would give an emphatic ‘Yes!’ whenever one of us got something right.

Just like my Bertie - who prefers the word to the click - we all responded to it, too.

By: EmilyS

EmilyS — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:59:38 +0000

Karen Pryor is the guest author at DogRead
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/DogRead/

discussing her new book

By: Mary Mary

Mary Mary — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:24:45 +0000

I may have to add this book to my list. I just started reading Temple Grandin’s “Animals in Translation” last night. I’m hoping it gives me insight into rabbit behavior.

Two years ago, I trained a very young foster rabbit to perform stunts on voice command. He would run across the room and jump a hurdle then return to me, beg up on his hind legs, run through a tunnel, etc.

He was adopted but, alas, returned to the shelter last month. I couldn’t wait to see if he remembered his training. Well, he was so stressed the first four weeks he would barely look at me, and “performing” was out of the question. Last week, however, he was in a good mood and even wanted to smash noses with me.

I think his high-strung nature is part of the reason he was so easy to train. I think he’s just high-stimulation, all around.

I could tell people over and over that rabbits are intelligent, but when I show them the video of this little grey bunny (!?) responding (!) to voice commands, they go crazy. Finally they believe me.

Anyway, I hope I’m writing one on these behavior books someday. On rabbits.

By: Terry Albert

Terry Albert — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:09:41 +0000

I also loved this book! Her chapter on teaching shelter dogs to be quiet amazed me. I think TAGteaching Would positively affect your results in classes!

By: Gina Spadafori

Gina Spadafori — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:31:35 +0000

I think about the human aspect of this all the time, since I work for a man — in the “day job,” please note — whose attitude is basically, “Because I’m boss and you’re lucky to have paying work.” and “Find ways to motivate YOU? Why is that MY problem? Just do what you’re told. Or else face the consequences.”

It’s a shame, because the corporate culture of the place is overall progressive, but it’s all “my way or the highway” with this one. I feel alpha-rolled every day. And you can all imagine what that does for my interest in being a contributing part of the operation, and how it unleashes my creativity.

Bah.