Karen Pryor was a pioneer in the fields of animal behavior and positive reinforcement training. Her groundbreaking work revolutionized how we communicate with animals—and each other—leaving an indelible mark on science, education, and the lives of countless species around the world. Founder of Karen Pryor Clicker Training and Karen Pryor Academy, she authored influential books such as Don’t Shoot the Dog and Reaching the Animal Mind, which have transformed animal training practices worldwide. Nowhere is Karen’s legacy more evident than in the faculty and graduates of the KPA Dog Trainer Professional program, who carry forward her commitment to compassionate, science-based training.
The Training Game
The Training Game is a great dog training game for people who want to sharpen their shaping skills and have fun at the same time. It allows you
Falconry and Modern Operant Conditioning
This article is shared for historical reference and enjoyment. While it reflects the best practices at the time of publication (04/01/1997), standards and recommendations have evolved. However, this article is
The Ten Laws of Shaping
Below are The Ten Laws of Shaping, as included in Don’t Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor. Since it was first published, we have learned more about the
Fifteen Tips for Getting Started with the Clicker
Clicker training is a terrific, science-based way to communicate with your pet. You can clicker train any kind of animal, of any age. Puppies love it. Old dogs
101 Things to Do With a Polar Bear
Unlocking Animal Creativity What if you could ask an animal to invent something new? The “creative” game, an application of operant conditioning, was first developed with dolphins at
When B.F. Skinner Discovered Shaping
This paper reveals a fascinating piece of scientific detective work by Gail Peterson, Ph.D., a professor of behavior analysis at the University of Minnesota. During World War II, Skinner and
Making the Connection: Behavior Chains
This letter is shared for historical reference and enjoyment. While it reflects the best practices at the time of publication, standards and recommendations may have evolved. You can
Adding the Cue: A Unique Approach
When we first start out clicker training, we tend to get very excited about the fact that we can teach the dog a new behavior in just a few clicks. Suddenly,
“Clicking” With Cues: A Powerful Tool in Agility Handling
This article is shared for historical reference and enjoyment. While it reflects the best practices at the time of publication (03/01/2005), standards and recommendations may have evolved. This article
Fading the Click?
When do I fade the click? How do I fade the click? We hear those questions all the time. The smart-aleck answer is “Never.” Because we don’t “fade”
