What Shamu Taught Me about Life, Love, and Marriage

Lessons for People from Animals

By: Amy Sutherland

Narrated by: Hillary Huber

While observing exotic animal trainers for her acclaimed book Kicked, Bitten, and Scratched, journalist Amy Sutherland had an epiphany: What if she used these training techniques with the human animals in her own life?

The next time her husband stomped through the house in search of his mislaid car keys, she asked herself, "What would a dolphin trainer do?" The answer was: nothing. Trainers reward the behavior they want and, just as important, ignore the behavior they don't. As she put more training principles into action, she noticed that she became more optimistic and less judgmental, and that their marriage improved.

What started as a goofy experiment had such good results that Sutherland began using these training techniques with all the people in her life, with great results.

©2008 Amy Sutherland (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This engaging, often humorous, insightful book belongs in all public and academic libraries' self-help, psychology, and animal behavior collections." ( Library Journal)

Every human should read this book!

I wonderful way to learn how to better live in this world with a little more joy spread through progressive training

Quick and witty

I enjoyed this quick and witty book about animal training in comparison to humans. Amy's knowledge and experience helped to reflect upon my own life. Along with positive and negative reinforcements being very effective in communicating with animals and humans. Also helping us to habituate those meticulous pet peeves.

I would recommend reading this book. The only reason I read it was for extra credit and actually learned some food for thought.

Training loved ones

Many insightful suggestions on how you can improve your behavior as well as how you approach others relate to you in many relationships.

College students point of view

This book was well worth the listen to! I have found my self using her advice and seeing what she talks about in day to day task. So I simply loved this book!

Entertaining but...

This book was entertaining to listen to. However, I am desperately looking for specific directions on how I can train my spouse. She gave more examples of zoo animals than she did of humans! I am looking for a book that is more instructive rather than entertaining. I am not looking for stories- I’m looking for specific steps I can take to help improve myself and the way I interact with my spouse.