Oh Behave!: Dogs from Pavlov to Premack to Pinker

by Jean Donaldson

Jean Donaldson is widely recognized as one of the most influential leaders in the fields of canine behavior and dog training. Known for her rigorous scientific thinking, Jean turns her attention in her latest book to questions and issues that touch on a wide variety of topics of interest to dog professionals and enthusiasts. Readers will be challenged to think, to learn how to separate fact from myth, and evaluate the variety training methods currently being espoused in the popular media. Oh Behave! contains a series of 55 articles, grouped into six Behavior, Training, Behavior Problems, Fear and Anxiety, Aggression, and Genetics and Evolution.

Learn about
separating fact from fiction.
The nature vs. nurture debate.
Fixed action patterns in dog behavior.
How to use classical conditioning in dog training.
How the owner’s personality affects the dog’s behavior.
Are you a dog mom—or dad?

Jean treats every conceivable problem a dog might have…at both a practical and theoretical level. You will know what to do, and why you should do it, covering both major methods of training – operant conditioning and classical conditioning. In a book centered on the behavior of dogs, an unexpected treat are the nuggets of neurotransmitters and genes. In a few lucid strokes, Jean brings you up to date on these timely subjects. If you find yourself with a free afternoon, you might drive to the nearest college, and take a final in advanced psychology, and gain credits toward your graduation!David Premack, Ph.D., author, Professor Emeritus, University of Pennsylvania

Genres: Dogs, Nonfiction, Animals

264 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2008

Reviews

[Karen Clark Stapleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Jean Donalson anyway and share many views. This imho is one of the best doggy interaction behaviour books written. Having studied canine psychology to University level I understood much of what she was going on about even from a personal perspective as a doggy owner and rescuer. Dogs like humans cannot fit into one box they have individual personalities that present through the usual nature-nurture exposure they have been engaged with for whatever reason.

This is well worth a buy for anyone and will engage enlighten and educate!

Karen
www.versailleskennels.com
www.eurobichons.com

[Elizabeth Frum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donaldson is really the best. I love this book so much I could hug it. I might be hugging it right now. Good advice to many questions

[Asl4u · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. A little different than what i was expecting (a training theory book) - but definitely worth the read. Very interesting to see the points of research... And especially the paradigm changing possibility that there is no such thing as dominance as a motivator of dog behavior

[Lori Kobayashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is by far my favorite Donaldson book. I think Jean Donaldson is very smart and has a great understanding of dog behavior and I respect her views and find her books brimming with valuable information. I am a 'sentimental' person and while I can understand on a scientific/behavioral that dogs are selfish and don't 'do things' just to please us I can still become (very) emotional about my dog. This book has a little more 'sentiment' than her previous books (there is a chapter on why we chose the dogs we do) but also a lot of science. There is a chapter on the effect of nutrition on behavior, neutrotransmitters and possible suppliments to help with them. A must read for anyone who has read her previous books.

[Sarah Korpela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, fascinating...a must-read for anyone working with dogs or who is wanting to learn more about them.