Clicker training
Discussion
Where do you start with clicker training?
Both my dogs are reasonably well-behaved now, and don't require much more than a cocked eyebrow and a slightly raised voice to let them know they're doing something they shouldn't, but I'd like to increase their repertoire of commands (one in particular simply doesn't understand much, but just looks at you like "well, just tell me what to do, idiot human, and I'll do it" and I'm like "well I would, you idiot dog, if only you understood more than 'sit' and 'come here'").
And, of course, teach them tricks and stuff. I once saw someone clicking on the telly and the dog loved it; it seemed very intuitive - dog does something right >click< >wag<. A totally unambiguous and very precise way of rewarding good behaviour.
Both my dogs are reasonably well-behaved now, and don't require much more than a cocked eyebrow and a slightly raised voice to let them know they're doing something they shouldn't, but I'd like to increase their repertoire of commands (one in particular simply doesn't understand much, but just looks at you like "well, just tell me what to do, idiot human, and I'll do it" and I'm like "well I would, you idiot dog, if only you understood more than 'sit' and 'come here'").
And, of course, teach them tricks and stuff. I once saw someone clicking on the telly and the dog loved it; it seemed very intuitive - dog does something right >click< >wag<. A totally unambiguous and very precise way of rewarding good behaviour.
The clicker is the oposite of the raised eyebrow
The theory is.....the clicker is used as "yes"
The clicker is "loaded up". Give treat....click , give treat.....click.
The dog associates the click sound as "good boy/well done"
Useful for sending dog to a place in conjunction with arm signals when he gets to the desired location, click for praise. A dog trainer friend of mine does not encourage them to most people as a lot of people end up confusing the dog. I think he was refering to me
I did use it succesfully to stop barking though, a click will stop him barking.
That may initially sound as though it is a "no" but it is the stopping I am rewarding not the barking.
Luckily my dog is not too clever so he has not figured out that by barking, then stopping could put him in line for a treat.
The theory is.....the clicker is used as "yes"
The clicker is "loaded up". Give treat....click , give treat.....click.
The dog associates the click sound as "good boy/well done"
Useful for sending dog to a place in conjunction with arm signals when he gets to the desired location, click for praise. A dog trainer friend of mine does not encourage them to most people as a lot of people end up confusing the dog. I think he was refering to me
I did use it succesfully to stop barking though, a click will stop him barking.
That may initially sound as though it is a "no" but it is the stopping I am rewarding not the barking.
Luckily my dog is not too clever so he has not figured out that by barking, then stopping could put him in line for a treat.
Used it on my hound when he was a puppy with good effect.
The secret is getting the timing of the click exactly spot on.
You also don't have to reward evey single time you click, just most of the time. The dog will try harder if he thinks he deserves a reward and you don't give him it, even though he clearly learned the click.
I still teach my 6 year old boxer new tricks every now and again. As a puppy, it took him about 10 mins to learn to sit on command, which is a relatively simple one.
As a 5 year old dog, I taught him to twirl (he does a 360 degree turn) on command. Last year I taught him to roll over on command. I can't help but note that he doesn't like lying down on wet or cold surfaces, but that's forgiveable I think.
I only need the clicker when I have to try something new. Otherwise, he's used to the commands now.
Some good advice on various websites out there if you go looking.
The secret is getting the timing of the click exactly spot on.
You also don't have to reward evey single time you click, just most of the time. The dog will try harder if he thinks he deserves a reward and you don't give him it, even though he clearly learned the click.
I still teach my 6 year old boxer new tricks every now and again. As a puppy, it took him about 10 mins to learn to sit on command, which is a relatively simple one.
As a 5 year old dog, I taught him to twirl (he does a 360 degree turn) on command. Last year I taught him to roll over on command. I can't help but note that he doesn't like lying down on wet or cold surfaces, but that's forgiveable I think.
I only need the clicker when I have to try something new. Otherwise, he's used to the commands now.
Some good advice on various websites out there if you go looking.
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