What Shamu Taught Me about Life, Love, and Marriage: Lessons for People from Animals and Their Trainers
by Amy Sutherland
book data
82 ratings, 3.50 average rating, 36 reviews
(more data...)
edit
published
February 28th 2008
by Blackstone Audio, Inc.
binding
Audio CD
isbn
1433212021
(isbn13: 9781433212024)
description
We can change--and train--people for the better, and every human interaction is training.
This book is based on Amy Sutherland's number-one most vie...more
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »
friend reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists.
Add this book to your favorite list »
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 162)
Read in February, 2008
I really enjoyed this book! In many ways it was a light, fun, fast read, but it also packed a punch. Life is a series of relationships with animals (human and non), and this clever book helps you understand their intersections just a little bit better.
Like this review?
yes
(2 people liked it)
add a comment
Read in February, 2008
I think the title would have been much better if the word "marriage" had been left out. If I hadn't heard an interview with the author on the Today Show I probably would have passed it by thinking it was some sort of peculiar self-help book on fixing romantic entanglements. I am very glad I gave it a look. The idea of treating homo sapiens using the same techniques that have worked the most effectively on training other animals-- patience, kindness, and adjusting the trainers expectati...more
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
Read in May, 2008
recommends it for:
anyone interested in learning
This is a great book about perspective and self. I love the way the author takes what she learned about exotic animal training and applies it to how we interact with each other. The other great thing about this book is that it applies across the board: it's not a man-bashing text on how to train your husband or anything like that. Manipulation is not her point, which I thought was great. This book really got me thinking about how I act and react and why, about how I treat others and why. I'...more
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
Read in March, 2008
Heard the author on npr, she was telling a story of when her husband looses his keys. He frantically is looking everywhere and she always joins to look for them, giving what she thinks is helpful advice/assistance, but in the end is only escalating the stress of the situation. So after absorbing techniques from the top animal training school in the US she learned to not do anything. She avoided him when he was upset and only was involved to congratulate him on finding his keys, thereby reinf...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Although the basic concepts of positive reinforcement training are not new material for most readers, whether your background is in animal training or in relationship negotiation, this quick read has some interesting tidbits and reminders. The examples taken from exotic animal trainers are engaging. And her point (taken from a top exotic trainer) about how humans tend to over-correct (their dogs or their spouses) partially because of primate dominance tendencies is a really good one. Stand back ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2008
Well written, funny and interesting. How to apply lessons from animal training to the relationships in our lives. Ignore bad behavior and reward good behavior. Think about how your actions and words reinforce how others react to you. Don't focus on changing someone else as the only thing you can control is how you react to their behavior. Definitely not a prescription for serious disfunction, but helpful in smaller situations of tension.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in June, 2008
recommended to Phoebe by:
NPRrecommends it for: Animals lovers, folks to like to organize
A light, easy-to-read account of progressive animal training techniques and their potential for universal application. I had a lot of fun reading this book and dreaming up ways to train everyone in my life, including myself. Definitely a book to pass around amongst one's friends -as the story told along the way is a good one and contains little that will offend, but much that will endear the captive animals and the author's own pets to readers.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
sometimes I can't believe the books I pick up...I think it has to do with the fact I live in a small town and if you want to read something you have to take what you can get. Having said that, despite loathing the title of this book, despite kind of already knowing this stuff without knowing about it if that makes sense, it was interesting and I enjoyed reading how she put animal training ideas to use in her own life.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
This book is an extension of an article the author wrote...well it should have stayed an article! There just isn't enough here to justify a book, but a good interview on NPR and I bought it so I'm sure she's raking in the dough. It is an interesting premise and a quick read, so might be worth it if you have a few hours and a free copy.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
The animal anecdotes in this book are great. Fortunately, the author's application of these techniques to her husband and family are less offensive than the book description indicates. It's mostly tongue-in-cheek, and her husband especially seems like a good sport. As a dog lover, I'm glad I took the time to read this.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2008
This was a fun and fast read that had me laughing out loud at times. Anyone who enjoys animals and sometimes gets frustrated with people not doing things you want them to should enjoy this book. It could have gone way more in depth, but then it wouldn't have been as much fun. I'd highly recommend this as a bookclub read.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2008
I read this for my book club. It was OK, I will try some of its pearls of wisdom. I think I am just against self help books. At least right now in my life. For me this book could have been reduced down to a check list. I guess that would have missed the point of hte book.
Very short and quick read.
Very short and quick read.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2008
recommended to Sarah by:
Doralyn Rush
I absolutely loved this book. I laughed and believe it or not, really understand my husband alot more! I have put into practice some of Amy Sutherland's suggestions and although they can be difficult at times, I find them to work. I have and will continue to recommend this book to anyone.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in March, 2008
recommends it for:
self-help book junkies
Seemed mostly to be an anecdotal memoir of the author and her time with the animal trainers. Nothing too profound or thought provoking other than the final tear-jerking pages for animal lovers, like me. A few practical take aways here and there. Very quick read.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in June, 2008
recommends it for:
husbands, wives, and parents everywhere, to make it a kinder, gentler planet
Having studied B.F. Skinner in college (and being a subject of my mother cum kindergarten-teacher's own personal experimentation with behavior!), I was very interested in her creative application of behavioral science.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2008
Very funny, very interesting, a great book for book club discussion. I liked this one so much I got it for my mom. Anyone who has an interest in animal training / behavior modification, etc would enjoy this book.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in June, 2008
The best parenting book you can read! Much more applicable than any Dr. So and So book, this book details Sutherland's observations of behavior modification on both the subject and object.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2008
Objective look at behavior, drawing on the author's exposure to progressive animal training methods. Very helpful way to re-examine your responses to the behavior of your "human animals."
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
It was an interesting concept, but the author tended to ramble a bit and didn't really delve into the application of what she learned. I lost interest about 1/3 of the way into it.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2008
I loved this book!!! What a fabulous look at behaviorism! The different methods she mentions in the book are really logical and easy to understand. Simply an enjoyable read.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
to-read
(on 68 people's shelves)
currently-reading (on 19 people's shelves)
non-fiction (on 8 people's shelves)
nonfiction (on 5 people's shelves)
2008 (on 3 people's shelves)
self-help (on 2 people's shelves)
requested (on 1 person's shelf)
have-read (on 1 person's shelf)
genre-or-nonfiction (on 1 person's shelf)
read-2008 (on 1 person's shelf)
More shelves...
currently-reading (on 19 people's shelves)
non-fiction (on 8 people's shelves)
nonfiction (on 5 people's shelves)
2008 (on 3 people's shelves)
self-help (on 2 people's shelves)
requested (on 1 person's shelf)
have-read (on 1 person's shelf)
genre-or-nonfiction (on 1 person's shelf)
read-2008 (on 1 person's shelf)
More shelves...
groups with this book
