Books › Don't shoot the dog!
Don't shoot the dog!
the new art of teaching and training
240 pages
A pragmatic, eye-opening guide that transforms the frustration of dealing with difficult behaviors into a compassionate game of positive reinforcement.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like being handed a secret decoder ring for the behaviors of everyone around you, from pets and children to coworkers and even yourself. The pace is brisk and engaging, propelled by witty, relatable anecdotes that strip the academic jargon away from behavioral psychology. Instead of a dry textbook, you find yourself immersed in an optimistic, empowering atmosphere where frustration is replaced by curiosity. The prose is conversational and deeply pragmatic, making the science of positive reinforcement feel like an accessible, everyday tool rather than a clinical method. It delights readers who are tired of nagging or punishing and are looking for a compassionate, highly effective way to foster better habits and smoother relationships in their daily lives.
- Mood
- optimistic
- curious
- empowering
- lighthearted
- Tone
- pragmatic
- encouraging
- witty
- accessible
- authoritative
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- positive reinforcement · behavioral change · empathy through understanding · effective communication · habit formation
- The writing
- Clear, conversational, and rich with relatable anecdotes that translate behavioral science into everyday wisdom.
- The arc
- Moves from the frustration of dealing with stubborn behaviors to a sense of empowered, compassionate mastery over one's interactions.
- Who it's for
- Anyone frustrated by the behavior of their pets, children, coworkers, or themselves, seeking a compassionate and science-backed method for change.
Content notes
- mentions of animal training
- discussions of punishment
About the book
Originally published entitled: Don't shoot the dog!: how to improve yourself and others through behavioral training, New York: Simon and Schuster, 1984.
Description from Open Library.
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