Customer Reviews:
 THE definitive book on animal training! December 12, 2006
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Pete Davey has written, in my mind, the best animal training book there is. Davey, a professional animal trainer, shows how the common person can train ANY animal using the same techniques he uses when training dolphins. Even if all you want is to have your dog sit when asked you'll gain the knowledge how to effectively execute the behavior. You'll learn what terms like: bridge, positive reinforcement, stimulus, operant conditioning and many others mean. Bravo, Mr. Davey!
Author teaches how to stop being held hostage by your pet July 21, 2004
25 out of 26 found this review helpful
Whales with Fur
As a dog lover, I am proud of what my beagle hound Shadow can do. He can do regular dog things like roll over, say hello, and stay. It was not easy teaching him these skills, and I have failed in a number of other efforts.
For instance, if I throw a tennis ball, he will pursue it, but he will not yield it up, preferring instead to slurp it, chew it, and toss it in the air for himself. As a hound, he is a prisoner of his nose. So efforts to convince him to refrain from smelling our guests, with emphasis on certain sensitive areas of their bodies, have been equally unsuccessful. As a result, when visitors come, he must be leashed. Although he sits agreeably by me during visits, it is a little embarrassing that I can not let him loose. He sometimes barks when gullible people are eating, because he enjoys people food. He will steal it if we turn our backs on him.
Had I been able to read Whales with Fur prior to teaching Shadow some manners, I would have had an easier time of it. This book is written by an expert on animals, but it is written in an easy-to-understand manner. For instance, on the matter of fetching, I immediately saw the error of my ways.
Like many other owners, I always threw the ball and when my dog ran towards me, I would offer him a bit of doggie biscuit. Of course, as soon as Shadow saw the biscuit, he dropped the ball, ran to gobble the treat, almost choking himself with enthusiasm, and then ran back to pick up the ball and take off for parts unknown.
Author Pete Davey sheds a great deal of light on this matter by explaining that instead of teaching the dog to run after the ball, an owner must first teach the dog to release the ball in a backward training approach. Davey uses terms like "bridge" for the stimulus that communicates to the dog what you want him to do so that he will get the "reinforcer" or reward. Davey explains that you actually begin the training with the goal. He writes, "Think of training the behavior backwards. The last thing in the sequence of events you want Laddie to do is hand you the Frisbee. Right? So put the Frisbee in Laddie's mouth. Then, at the same time your hand is holding the Frisbee and Laddie holds the Frisbee in his mouth, bridge (whistle) and reinforce (hot dog piece)."(pg. 49)
That advice makes so much sense to me now, but until I read this book, it never occurred to me. Whales with Fur is full of such advice. It is more than a book, it's a complete system for teaching an animal good behavior. The foreword is by Jack Hanna, Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, and also host of TV's "Animal Adventures." Author Pete Davey, Director of Training for Marineland of Florida, has been involved in advanced animal training and care for 16 years. He's worked with whales, dolphins, sea lions, seals, tigers, birds, and many other species.
If you want your horse to jump higher, or your dog to quit falling apart as soon as he sees the vet, this book's for you. Davey covers cats that scratch, dogs that dig, and teaching animals how to perceive that "good" means the behavior is what you want them to do.
Davey's writing style is peppered with humor, and that's a nice touch that makes solid information more user-friendly. Consider this passage about taking your pooch to the vet: "Most people will claim Skipper KNOWS when he is going to the vet. In reality it is far more likely that he knows the car ride is going to end in something negative. It is very unlikely that Skipper's brain comes up with, "Wow, that lady is getting her purse, putting the children in the car, and now is coming towards me...my goodness, we must be embarking to the veterinary office, where I might be stuck upon the rump with a sharp needle. I know...I'll run away!"(pg. 127)
The photographs and illustrations in the book enhance the reader's experience. There's one photo of a large marine animal with a human foot protruding from the animal's mouth. Apparently, the trainer hadn't read Whales with Fur.
In our home, we'll be trying Davey's techniques on our beagle hound. Maybe one day, we?ll be able to leave a turkey sandwich unguarded. I'll definitely be buying some copies for my family and friends, with several unruly pets in mind. Hopefully, loved ones will learn to get the dog or cat to do what the humans want instead of being held hostage by their pets.
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