How Dogs Learn

by Jon S Bailey, Mary R. Burch, Jon S. Bailey

Book Overview

...this book should be on every animal trainer's bookshelf for future reference. How Dogs Learn covers the content of an undergraduate course in learning and behavior, but the examples are taken from dog training it is practical and very useful without sacrificing scientific and technical accuracy. --Jack Michael, PhD, Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University How Dogs Learn explore the fascinating science of operant conditioning, where...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0876053711
• ISBN13: 9780876053713
• Release Date: May 1999
• Publisher: Howell (TP)
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 1.21 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Concise and well written

A very quick read, this book covers the science of behaviorism very accurately. While I personally didn't learn anything new here (but have read many books on the subject) this was the most concise book on the subject yet. It explains the important concepts without getting too technical but still telling you what you need to know. This book covered most of what I learned in my undergrad Learning And Behavior psych course. I reccomend this book to people not just interested in how to train, but interested in why these training methods work. I would also reccomend Pryor's Don't Shoot The Dog which covers the same concepts but relates it to humans as well.

Rereading the good stuff- this is one of the best...

Coming back into the world of dog training after a few years, I grabbed several of my previously owned books to review and redigest. I have only started to read "How Dogs Learn", and found the first chapter fascinating. It outlines, with just enough information without "too much" detail, the history of behavior and training from the scientists' and the trainers' perspective. I found it so helpful to have both histories and to be able to visually see how the two are now forming bridges to one another's vast databases of knowledge. I also note that the author is very fair in her assesment of those "training forefathers", who though we as positive trainers might disagree with, truly made great investments in the dog training industry, and who deserve to be recognized for their contributions.I recognized so many of the people involved, as well as the books, which are also mentioned (which is great- If I want to get into more detail, I know what to look for). I still have much to read, but I am very excited about reviewing the principles of operant conditioning, and seeing more illustrations of how two worlds have begun to forge a united base of knowledge, which is sure to clarify and enlighten all of us trainers in the end.Dawn D."NJHeart2Heart"

Behavioral pricipal broken down to plain english.

A very good look at the fundamentals of behavior. This book uses the work of many top behavior reseachers and makes it easily understandable. A must for every animal owner, not just dog people.

At last an authoritative book on the science of dog training

Drs. Burch and Bailey have brought together their considerable talents to produce an important book for both dog owners and professional trainers. Dog owners will find the book to be a valuable resource for understanding how dogs learn, making their training efforts more positive and rewarding--both for themselves and for their dogs. The professional trainer will find the book to be an informative introduction to basic learning concepts and techniques; they will also appreciate the authors' balanced approach to explaining operant technology. Overall, the authors have done an excellent job of introducing operant methods (such as clicker training) and explaining how they can be used to improve the dog's behavior. Finally, the book is written in a lucid and accessible style, but be forewarned, there is not much in the way of entertaining fluff here, although the book is nicely illustrated with many wonderful anecdotes and examples that both the novice and expert will appreciate. Dr. Burch is a highly respected Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, whose efforts to improve dog training and to develop humane methods for treating behavior problems are well-known within the dog world. Dr. Bailey is a Professor of Psychology at Florida State University. Among his impressive credentials, he is past editor of the Journal for Applied Behavior Analysis. If you are serious about dogs and training, you should read this book!

Professional Trainer

As a professional police dog trainer this book is the only dog training book that I have read that addresses the heart of in my field training. Late in life I decided to learn about the science behind training and now a student of behavior science. This book should be a must read for every trainer. Information here goes directly to applied behavior modification something every trainer should have at very least a working understanding of.