Karen Prior was 86 years old, she was born in 1932. But this fact does not affect the popularity of her books. According to reviews, "Do not growl at the dog" has become one of the most read creations of the author. It gives practical advice that was a breakthrough in Russian and foreign cynology.
A bit about the author
The future writer was born on May 14, 1932, as mentioned above. Place of birth - New York. Her dad was a rather famous person. Philip Wiley is a popular writer in America. He is the author of many books, ranging from science fiction. About mother practically nothing is known.
Karen herself has come a long way. She was always interested in behavioral psychology. The woman thoroughly studied not only her, but also the biology of marine mammals. For many years she was engaged in training dolphins, and then switched to dogs.
Karen Prior’s book, Don't Grow at a Dog, was written in 1984. But her advice is still relevant. According to the Prior technique, a lot of dog handlers work.
What is this book about?
Of course, about training. But, unlike our Soviet books on this subject, the book "Do not growl at the dog" is based on three components. “Watch, reinforce, develop” - so they are translated into Russian.
According to the scheme proposed by the author, you can teach not only a dog. According to this technique, Karen worked with dolphins. It has been tested in humans, the Prior system also works on bipedal animals.
What is reinforcement?
If the first two words at least something is clear, then with the “reinforce” it would be necessary to understand.
Returning to the Soviet books on training, we conclude that in them the mechanical effect on the dog is an everyday moment. Beating the animal half to death, of course, is unacceptable. But punishment, when necessary, is permitted.
“Do not growl at the dog” (Karen Prior - author of the book) contains the main advice - when dealing with a pet, refuse to use physical impact. No mechanics, the dog’s wrongness is explained to her with the help of negative reinforcement.
What is hidden under the word "reinforcement"? Influencing a dog through treats, toys, and other ways that helps her achieve her desired behavior.
Reinforcement is positive and negative. The first is given when it is necessary to increase or consolidate the occurrence of the desired behavior in the future. The second, respectively, is the opposite. When the owner does not want to see this or that behavior of the pet, he gives him negative reinforcement.
What does the author suggest?
Reviews about the book Karen Pryor "Do not growl at the dog" are the best. We will talk about this below, and now let's talk about what the author wants to offer to trainers.
When the desired behavior is obtained from the dog, they are given positive reinforcement. First of all, it is joyful praise. It’s not worth overdoing it, but to show the dog that the owner is satisfied is the direct responsibility of the latter. And intonation should be joyful.
The second point is the use of goodies or toys. Praised by the voice, reinforce the fact that the animal loves.
And when the dog has not completed the required, then it is proposed to simply ignore it. That is, do not pull the braking team, do not scold, but pretend that you do not notice. This is the "know-how" of a book called "Do not growl at the dog."
The difference from the mechanics
What do we do when a dog refuses to execute a command or does not obey? Pull it off, give a braking command (no). And other specially gifted trainers do not disdain to hit the animal. If you read some books by dog ​​handlers of the police (then also the police), the question arises: how were they allowed to dogs in general? Our mechanics, sometimes used in training, simply fade with what is described in these books.
But we were distracted. Imagine a situation when the owner takes the dog out into the street. His dog is big, but he listens well. And at the entrance sits a stimulus for the dog. And this is not a harmful neighbor or a drunk person, this is an ordinary cat. And here the dog turns on instinct, he needs to immediately catch a cat.
The owner reacts according to the situation. Some sharply jerk the pet, while others, realizing that the braking team will not help now, simply "strangle" the dog.
What does Karen Pryor offer in Do Not Grow at the Dog? Switch the pet to yourself. Loudly call his nickname, and under your nose you pop your favorite toy. And when the animal is distracted from the cat, waving this toy, run away from him. The dog will rush after the owner on its own, she really wants to get a toy. And no violence against the pet, everything is done on the positive. The cat runs away and saves his life, and the dog becomes indifferent to it. What cats can be when playing with the owner is a much more interesting option.
How does this relate to people?
If we figured out the animals, then how to reproduce this technique in relation to humans is unclear. In fact, everything is very simple. According to reviews, "Do not growl at the dog" - a book, first of all, for the "training" of the owner and other people.
When you want to achieve something from a person, then praise him for the steps taken in this direction. For example, a mother teaches lessons with a child. The son is "blunting", as they say now, but mother’s nerves are losing. In the end, she begins to scream and curse.
There is no point in screaming, just explain the material to the child again. And watch out for his reaction. Did the son begin to understand something? Praise him, give positive reinforcement.
The child pretended to understand everything. But he incorrectly solved the problem, and to a completely logical question, what is the reason for this, he admitted that he did not understand anything. Do you want to scold him properly, or even kick your ears? Do not rush with both types of “reprisals”, just take offense at the offspring. And ignore him, do not answer questions. You can say once that you’ve been offended, but don’t say why it happened. Of course, not because of the problem, but because the child lied, pretending to understand its solution.
As for other people, everything is simple. Just do not enter into an argument or an unpleasant conversation, this will be ignoring. And praise and celebrate merit if you are satisfied with the result of a person’s work.
Is it easy?
According to reviews, "Do not growl at the dog" - just a great book. But is it so easy to follow the circuit described in it?
Everything is not as simple as it seems at first glance. And if you can use this system with a person, then for training a dog using this technique will require great patience. And most importantly - consistency in their actions. Dogs are afraid of inconsistency, because they do not understand how to react to it. The results of such training, in which there is no strategy and consistency, are very disappointing.
Reviews and reviews
What will readers tell us who applied the Prior scheme in practice? "Do not growl at the dog," according to reviews, a very interesting book. And the method proposed by the author really works. Critics also agree with this.
Here is what is especially noted:
The book is just great. According to readers, it is very light. You can start reading from anywhere.
The scheme works, more than one critic reports about it. Among the fans of this book are dog breeders, educators and respectable businessmen.
"Recipes" proposed by the author are very simple and accessible described. They are easy to apply in your own practice. Many critics agree with this.
Readers note that Karen Prior had to train dolphins. But you can’t punish these animals, you can convey your dissatisfaction to them only with the help of negative reinforcement. Which the woman did, describing this in detail in the book.
Despite the fact that the book is almost 35 years old, the tips from it are relevant to this day. This is evidenced by critics, as well as readers who, "Do not growl at the dog," according to reviews, helped to change their own behavior.
With the help of tips from the book, as its readers note, children can be raised. It works, really.
Conclusion
About the book Karen Pryor "Do not growl at the dog" reviews, as you can see, are very good. There is nothing wrong, people are happy with the system that they use in life.
Is it worth reading? Undoubtedly worth it. And dog lovers, and young mothers, and just people who are interested in behaviorism. The book is based on it, it is read very simply.
Just do not think that after reading the magic will immediately begin. No, the embodiment of the Karen Prior scheme requires a lot of patience. This has already been mentioned above.