Clicker training - Paw Talk

RSbunny · #1 04-24-2004, 06:12 PM

I just bought a clicker for Biscuit but I've never clicker trained before and I'm going into this so blind so anybody out there clicker training please fill me in on all the secrets!!! I tell you this dog has changed soooo much in the last few weeks. For those of you that remember how much Biscuit complained about being outside......well these days she cries to get outside! she loves it out there! I'm yet to get her sleeping out there cause whilst I've blocked off her holes I haven't wired the whole yard yet and I don't want her getting out (I only let her out when I'm home and it would take her at least an hour to dig out anywhere else now). This morning she has complained for two hours to go outside. Of course she was locked in her 'crate' (the extremely tiny bathroom!) and I wouldn't let her out until she shutup....two hours of 'yap yap' and you start to go insane!!! Thankfully she stopped just long enough for me to praise her and then let her out! Anyway I'm getting way off track now!!! Help on clicker training please! (She does start formal training in three weeks by the way)

Deja · #2 04-24-2004, 06:27 PM

Carmen - I was taught to clicker train by an ex-policeman who was in charge of training the dogs in a large K-9 unit. I think it's a great way to train dogs. I'm so used to AKC obedience including hand signals that I have just stuck with it over the years.

Animal behaviorists and Trainers have been using clickers to train marine mammals for a long, long time. It's gaining a lot of popularity because it works so well on dogs too.

Try this website and if you can think of any specific questions let me know!

http://www.clickandtreat.com

I think I did a post on clicker training.... hrrm. I'll have to find it!

Clicker training is "Operant Conditioning" - do a search on that in regard to animal behavior. Learn as much as you can about Operant Conditioning. It will give you a great background when you begin your formal "clicker training" sessions with Biscuit.

I'll dig up my old stuff and bone up so I can help you if you have any questions. What a great subject to post about!!

RSbunny · #3 04-24-2004, 06:31 PM

Thanx heaps Linda!!! I'll definently be looking into that site more when I get home from renovating! Right now I have to go and get ready but the site looks great!!! I'll be sure to have questions once I've read it!!!lol

Chrisanne · #4 04-24-2004, 11:01 PM

I love clicker training, but truely do prefer hand signals.

I use both, but the benefits of the hand signals long term are wonderful. If you have your dog into its golden years and lord forbid he should lose his hearing he still knows what you are asking him to do.

RSbunny · #5 04-28-2004, 12:22 AM

Chrisanne I too want to teach Biscuit Hand sginals but I am going to book her in to an obedience class once she has finished her 'basic manners' class. I want to use the clicker because when walking her I'm trying to praise her and bend down and give her a treat and it's just ridiculous so at least a 'click' followed by a praise stops us from getting so tangled!!

Thanx for the article Linda! It said what I thought!

Oh and just before anyone says anything if Biscuit is learning something for the first time treats are involved....but when I'm reinforcing it after a couple of days the treats go away...she's overweight so treats need to be kept to a minimum!

Chrisanne · #6 04-28-2004, 08:06 AM

nothing wrong with starting each new "trick" with a treat Carmen. In the beginning that treat really gets them motivated. I've always started with treats too, and then just weaned them out into just praise.

Deja · #7 04-28-2004, 02:04 PM

Carmen -

Yay! Glad the information helped. Gary (the page I sent you too) is the man who trained the man who worked with me- he's really respected in the "Clicker Training" world. I actually spoke with him once on the phone and he's a wealth of information wrapped up in a really nice guy.

Anyway - I understand your issue with "treats" - there are low calorie/low fat treat options... some that work great for me are...

Cheerios! Plain old Cheerio's - do you have that cereal Down Under? One Cheerio as a reward was all I needed for motivation.

Baby Goldfish Crackers - the tiny sized version of Goldfish - they come in plain cracker form too - they love the cheddar flavor though so I have used those also. They are small and one tiny Goldfish as a treat was amazing motivation.

Look for things that you can portion control yourself. It doesn't have to be a huge treat - a teenie tiny taste of something is all you need.

I use food as motivation when I train - it works! If you offer it and they are motivated - using an occasional treat to keep them motivated while you alternate with verbal and physical praise will transition her to "Praise Only" really easily because there will always (in her mind) be the possibility of a food reward - and she'll still respond as well to the alternative rewards.

Was that English?

I'm not sure if that made sense.

I use AKC hand signals and hand signals that I have made-up for commands like "Quiet" ... Like Chrisanne- I think about when they are old and possibly can't hear as well... also - when it's chaotic around you- the dog will focus on the visual hand signal and you don't have to be giving loud verbal commands - People who have seen my dogs and the dogs I've trained - well they think it's "magic"

I don't speak I give a hand signal and the dog drops to the ground and stays.

One thing you might want to consider if you are going to be working her "off leash" with other people around (an eventuality most likely) - a clicker can't be heard if she takes off running - but! A sharp whistle blow can!

Max is field trained and if I can't find him in the yard (I'm not going to scream my head off for him if he's off in the woods within the electric fencing boundary - they have 2 acres to play on) I trained him to "COME" with a sharp blow on a whistle. Works great every time - and since Jack and Max are glued at the hip, when Max comes galloping in Jack is always sauntering not far behind him. I can even use the "2 fingers in my mouth" whistle and he comes.

Anyway I'm blathering again mate!

Keep us posted on Biscuit's clicker training progress. I think it would be a great learning tool and lots of information for me - and everyone!!

Pure14K · #8 04-28-2004, 02:12 PM

I also use hand signals with my dogs, we have to for showing purposes. I use treats when I first start training and then just praise. Good luck

RSbunny · #9 04-29-2004, 12:14 AM

Thanx everyone!!! Linda nope no goldfish crackers no cheerio's but hey at least I know what cheerio's are now! I always thought it was some kind of cheese tasting chip!!lmbo I use tiny amounts of liver treats with her but things that she now does 80-90% of the time (like sit) no longer get food rewards!! And she is always attached to me! She never wanders far....no acreage here for me....we live on a small surburban block! I'm hoping to get a serious start on her this weekend...I've been doing bits here and there but just been so busy lately! I'm really looking forward to going to training...it will be the motivation I need!