Product Description
Twenty-five years ago biologist Karen Pryor was living in Hawaii with three children, a dog and a pony and a dolphin in her back yard pool. The dolphin belonged to a new oceanarium, Sea Life Park, where Karen became head trainer, working with dozens of dolphins and whales, penguins and even wild sea birds. Using purely positive methods, Karen and her team opened the door to a whole new world of animal communication.

Now, Karen tells us of her dolphin adventures after Sea Life Park. She went to sea on tuna boats, diving in the nets to study wild dolphin schools. She was the first to report on Brazil's remarkable human/dolphin fishing cooperative. She introduces us to Josephine, a wise old research dolphin who could use her training encounters not only to express opinions but also to make jokes. Finally, Karen explains how this kind of training is transforming the way we can communicate with any animal, even our own cats and dogs.

This classic adventure story will delight anyone who loves animals and the sea. Lads Before the Wind is also the most readable book written on the new science of training and communicating with positive reinforcement. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

The book made me cry
I have owned this book for many many years.It is one of the most important books in my collection if not the most important one that I own.It is one of two books where I have had a chance to meet Georges Gilbert, the father who I never knew.There is another book about BF Skinner and a little about his work at Sea Life Park.My father is mentioned there, too.I have only seen my father once.When I was in the fourth grade, we were on an excursion to Sea Life Park and were watching the dolphin program in the tanks.My father happened to be on hand during the show, and the trainer introduced him as the collector.It was embarrassing for me becaue I told one of the kids next to me that Georges is my father.The boy laughed and said why doesn't your father come see you.I told him I was just joking.

I have spent a portion of my life trying to retrace my dad's steps to learn who he was.I have even gone sport fishing on the Imua long after my father had passed away, and the Imua was refitted for sport fishing.I have met many skippers and captains on many boats in Hawaii who seemed to have known my father and had told tall stories of my father and the sea.My foster father who was also a bottom fisherman called my father the great fisherman.I guess Georges Gilbert had an uncanny feel for the ocean and the animals that the ocean possessed.

Thank you Karen for writing this book

Robert Kahaokamoku Gilbert

Now I know how they train dolphin to jump...
I always wondered how in the world did they train a dolphin to jump, flip and do all those fancy moves and now I have some idea.I mean afterall, the dolphin is in the water and you are on land?With dogs, at least, you can say commands with your voice and reward it by petting it.Well, this book answers all those questions you wondered about how they trained dolphins but were to afraid to ask or afraid to look stupid by asking.It is written in a very friendly, easy to read language and I was very pleasantly surprised with the book.I would highly recommended to to anybody and who knows, you might pick up a pointer or two on how to train other animals!

For the trainer, the dolphin enthusiast, or both!
As someone who has loved dolphins her entire life (when I was little I wanted to be a dolphin trainer), this book intrigued me just because it was about dolphins and written by a dolphin trainer.I was pleasantly surprised on how much I was actually able to learn by reading it.Not only is it a great wealth of information about cetaceans (dolphins), it is also a very interesting read on training.It is full of anecdotes, making the book entertaining, and scientific data and fact, helping to lend a bit of seriousness.The unique training ideas that Karen Pryor discovered by trial and error can be, and are, used on every animal from a dolphin to a cat to a human.I highly recommend this book.

Great book-a must have!
This book provided a great insider's look to what is means to be a dolphin/marine mammal trainer.I would recommend this book to anyone who is considering this for a career path.I know I am and that this book has helped me gained a great perspective and tips on dolphin training.The stories are really touching and before you know it, you're feel like standing right next to the author feeding and playing with the dolphins.This book is a definite must-have!

Most Fun and Information Book
This book was great!!! Karen Pryor is a great writer and a wonderful scientist!!! I have never read a more inciting book! It was great, it gave me different perspectives on dolphin training and even some insight on careers!! Buy this book, you won't regret it!! ... Read more