MARTA receives two bomb threats »

Amy Sutherland's husband Scott leaves another pile of reeking clothes in the bathroom.

[ Submit your comments below. ]

Courtesy of the Georgia Aquarium (ENLARGE)

Patricia Dove with a sea lion at the Georgia Aquarium.

More photos More living news ajcpets.com

In the past, Amy might pinch her nose or feign dramatic gasps. She would ask if the EPA had approved clean up of toxic waste in their bathroom.

But this time, she goes ape. But not the way you think. She shuts the door and does not utter a word. She's trying a new strategy — casting aside advice in self-help books, therapy sessions or lessons learned during more than a decade of marriage.

She's using a technique learned from a dolphin trainer. Reward behavior you want and ignore behavior you don't. (Treats are good. Jell-O and ice cubes for dolphins; smiles, hugs and rub downs for hubby)

In Sutherland's new book, "What Shamu Taught Me About Life, Love and Marriage," the New York Times columnist makes a compelling argument for using techniques from animal trainers to help change bad habits and improve relationships.

Sutherland swears the techniques have resulted in a cleaner house and safer driving.

But some behaviors may be too entrenched to change, something she's learned from turkeys, whales and her very own dog, Dixie.

"Just as you can't stop a badger from digging, there's not stopping my husband from losing his wallet and keys," she says.

We asked Atlanta zookeepers and aquarium biologists about whether conditioning techniques learned on the job work on another species, too — their own.

Jay Pratte

Lead keeper, Zoo Atlanta

Zoo challenge: Getting blood samples from pandas.

Strategy: Give Lun Lun and Yang Yang their favorite treats of bananas and biscuits.

Results: Pandas put out their arm and let the trainers draw blood without hesitation. Works like a charm.

Challenge at home: Messy piles of paper.

Strategy used on partner Chad Parker: Pratte gives Parker his favorite — orange-tipped yellow roses after Parker cleans the house.

The results: Mixed. There's still a pile, but it's under control.

Comment: "I just have to accept he's not going to be as neat as me," says Pratte.

Laura Mayo

Assistant curator of primates, Zoo Atlanta

Zoo challenge: Getting orangutans to pee on command for urine samples.

Strategy: Give them rice cakes and let them undo the wrappers (they love that) and show lots of verbal enthusiasm.

Results: The orangutans get ready to pee the moment they see the pan.

Challenge at home: Potty training 2-year-old twin boys.

Strategy used: Give the boy Superman underwear and lots of verbal praise when they use the potty.

The results: Mission accomplished in record time.

Marj Awai

Senior biologist, Georgia Aquarium

Aquarium challenge: Get whale sharks to eat from their own feeding station.

Strategy: Reward with food.

Results: Whale sharks comply.

Challenge at work: A chronically late co-worker.

Strategy used: When the co-worker shows up on time, Awai gives praise, and sometimes donuts and candies.

Results: A more punctual co-worker.

Dennis Christen

Assistant manager of husbandry at Georgia Aquarium

Aquarium challenge: Getting blood samples from Nico, a beluga whale.

Strategy: Slowly move toward making Nico more comfortable. Use a pen cap and then eventually a needle.

Results: Nico lets trainers draw blood without flinching.

Challenge at home: Putting eye drops in kids' eyes.

Strategy used: Have child lie down and relax. Reinforce calm behavior and keep eyes open. Eventually add drops.

Results: Eye drops? No prob.

Patricia Dove

Senior biologist at Georgia Aquarium

Aquarium challenge: Discourage potentially aggressive sea lions to creep toward trainers.

Strategy: Ignore sea lions when they move toward trainers and react positively when they retreat.

Challenge at home: Having husband stop carping about the boxes that need to be unpacked. When he complains, she ignores him, applying what is known as the Least Reinforcing Stimulus.

Results: Husband, who also works at aquarium, is on to her.

He says: "The big difference between training your husband and your sea lion is the sea lion doesn't mind being trained, but the husband may find it less amusing. It works both ways and we both do it, but you try to use the training methods on your spouse without getting caught," said hubby Al Dove, manager of diagnostic laboratories at the Aquarium.