The Secret History of Kindness

February 16, 2015
The average dog owner may seek formal training for an errant canine, but when Pierson (The Perfect Vehicle) struggled to train her border collie, she decided to study the more scientific aspects of animal behavior via the works of psychologist/behaviorist B.F. Skinner. Intrigued by Skinner’s approach to
positive-reinforcement training, Pierson set out to meet a host of animal behaviorists and trainers to learn how to build a relationship with her dogs based on kindness and trust rather than confusion and fear. She details her interactions with one trainer in particular, Karen Pryor, whose method involving the use of clickers fascinated the author. In almost poetic
language, Pierson’s book explores the philosophical intricacies of animal behavior, training, and human perceptions of control and empathy, leading the reader to think carefully about what truly motivates companion animals to obey human commands. Agent: Betsy Lerner, Dunow, Carlson & Lerner.

April 1, 2015

Pierson (The Place You Love Is Gone) was a new dog owner without a clue how to train her beloved border collie, Mercy, when she saw miraculous results obtained by a trainer. This piqued her curiosity about the best methods to teach dogs to become loving and obedient members of a family. In an intelligent and academic (yet witty) fashion, the author describes her interpretation of B.F. Skinner's psychology of behaviorism and the benefits of using his methods to gently and kindly train dogs instead of using force, referring to trainer Cesar Millan as an example of brutal tactics. The author cites skillful navy dolphin trainer Bob Bailey among others and shows that Skinner's methodology can have broad and extended influence on animal behavior, as demonstrated by zoo animals that have been trained to be medically examined or behave in a manner to permit staffers to safely clean their enclosures. This led to Pierson's study of Karen Pryor's "clicker" behavioral training, which is one of the most highly effective methods used by modern animal handlers. VERDICT A well-researched and thorough examination of current methods of dog training based on psychology; useful to those who want a deeper, beyond-the-basics understanding of the techniques.--Susan Riley, Mamaroneck P.L., NY

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