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Get Connected with Your Dog: Emphasizing the Relationship While Training Your Dog
An absolute encyclopedia of information about establishing, rebuilding or improving your relationship with your dog with guru Brenda Aloff as your guide. You'll learn how to use that relationship to accomplish goals in competition or just teach good manners.
- GenresDogs
395 pages, Perfect Paperback
First published February 20, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 1, 2008
This is an interesting positive training book because it technically uses negative reinforcement (the proper action makes a bad thing stop)- something you rarely see in the positive training world . The 'bad thing' in this case is (should be) rather benign and is what the author calls "pressure"- a gentle but constant touch OR the occupation of the dogs space.
This book also does a great job of talking about and explaining dog behavior to the non-behaviorist and gives readers a new framework of operant vs classical behaviors by explaning 'hindbrain' and 'frontbrain' behaviors.
I thought this book was a great book- but I didn't rate it 5 stars for a few reasons:
1.) EVEN with the GREAT DVD that comes with the book- this is NOT a program that a novice dog trainer can do. The book IS simple to read and understand- and the DVD is an invaluable source for demonstrating the exercises- BUT I personally feel that people who use this program should have a decent foundation of knowledge, specifically about canine body language as it will be VERY EASY for a novice trainer to not 'catch' a dog in time to release 'pressure' at the right moment to make this an effective training took.
2.) The authors theory that clicker trained dogs may not be capable of the rigors of strict obedience because they are encouraged to 'be creative' and think independently (basically saying that clicker training isn't the end-all be all). I'm not sure I agree with this, but I don't necessarily disagree at this point. I think clicker training can be successful or not so successful based on the trainers ability.I need to gather more data from my experiences to make this determination.
This book also does a great job of talking about and explaining dog behavior to the non-behaviorist and gives readers a new framework of operant vs classical behaviors by explaning 'hindbrain' and 'frontbrain' behaviors.
I thought this book was a great book- but I didn't rate it 5 stars for a few reasons:
1.) EVEN with the GREAT DVD that comes with the book- this is NOT a program that a novice dog trainer can do. The book IS simple to read and understand- and the DVD is an invaluable source for demonstrating the exercises- BUT I personally feel that people who use this program should have a decent foundation of knowledge, specifically about canine body language as it will be VERY EASY for a novice trainer to not 'catch' a dog in time to release 'pressure' at the right moment to make this an effective training took.
2.) The authors theory that clicker trained dogs may not be capable of the rigors of strict obedience because they are encouraged to 'be creative' and think independently (basically saying that clicker training isn't the end-all be all). I'm not sure I agree with this, but I don't necessarily disagree at this point. I think clicker training can be successful or not so successful based on the trainers ability.I need to gather more data from my experiences to make this determination.
May 15, 2009
Brenda Aloff's books are incredible as is her training philosophy. She is sensitive, yet strong in understanding the needs of canines. Her work is solid and practical. As always Brenda - job well done.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews