Clicker Training for Obedience: Shaping Top Performance-Positively

treshell owner DogRead
...


A must have for competition training   October 9, 2001
renard8450 (Kansas City, MO)
Morgan Spector's book is all about precision. It isn't as helpful for the owner who just wants to instill basic manners, but if you are looking for a book to help really make your dog stand out in the ring, this is it. This can be a dense read - I recommend Karen Pryor's book as an introduction to OC before attempting the techniques in this book. This book is a must have for the serious dog trainer.


A Densely packed reference   September 22, 2001
Courtney L. Lewis (Kingston, PA USA)
8 out of 10 found this review helpful

In his introduction, Morgan Spector mentions that it took him approximately 6 years to write this book and you can see why. He has produced a book so densely packed with up to the minute references, detailed instructions for various obedience exercises, and managed to still lace throughout a profound love and respect of animals. Owning up to old, outdated, and cruel methods of training, Spector gives lots of credit to pioneers of clicking like Karen Pryor and has put an excellent bibliography within the book. If any criticism exists, it would be that some exercises are hard to picture (purchasing Peggy Tillman's "Clicking with Step-by-Step Pictures" would be a helpful adjunct) and also Spector has used precise scientific language which causes the reader to slow down during certain passages. A fabulous book and a must on your shelf if you plan on doing fun and intensive training.


Very detailed explanations & very useful ...   June 1, 2001
Yeoh Siok Kee (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
53 out of 53 found this review helpful

This book ought to be read together with Ms. K.Pryor's `Don't Shoot the Dog' ... Ms.Pryor's explains the theory and how 'clicker' training had its beginnings ... Mr. Spector explains how 'clicker' training is done ...

Having read most of the clicker books sold by Amazon and now into my first year of training my Beagle & Labrador ... I think this is probably the best so far ... Certainly this book contains the most detailed explanations & instructions as to how 'clicker' should be carried out. Mr. Spector even goes so far as to explain why he uses certain words and expressions in his book ...

To derive the best benefit, this book has to be read carefully (and its a substantial book) ...

The book opens with an introduction to operant and positive reinforcement training methods, and makes a comparison between these 'newer' training styles and the more traditional training methods.

Drawing from his own experience, Mr. Spector then suggests the various stages of training for the dog ... Unlike many other authors/trainers, he begins with teaching the dog to 'target' rather than the usual 'sit, stay & heel' ... innovative to say the least ... and it works. The book covers just about everything a dog & owner needs to learn, including off-leash and distance training.

The strength in this book lies in the clear and detailed explanations for each training stage and training method ... It allowed me to consider what Mr. Spector was saying, to consider his reasons & rational of his advice; and this in turn helped me understand Mr. Spector's methods more fully ... All of which makes for more effective training of my dog ...

Although this book is very much designed for taking a dog through Obedience trials, there is much here that will benefit every dog owner ... even one who only wishes his doggie would stop jumping on his guests ...

Wish there were few more illustrations or photographs though ...


Not To Be Missed   June 5, 2000
Carolyn Bray (Toronto, Canada)
22 out of 24 found this review helpful

This book is a MUST for anyone interested in dog training. It is very detailed and FULL of very useful information. I have tried the suggestions with my dog - a Cairn Terrier and she has improved incredibly. From beginning to advanced training this book has it all. Thank you so much Morgan Spector!