Have clicker... now what?

[Horsefeathers!]

Seriously, I don't get it. I know I need to do some book learnin' and all, but can someone give me a general description of what I'm hoping to accomplish with clicker training? I mean, I can't quite figure out how it's different than a vigorous skritch at the right time, a treat, or an "atta boy!". I understand the concept that it's to mark a desired behavior, but I feel like I'm still missing something. I was doing a bit of remedial training this evening with some of my older dogs and used the clicker just to see how they'd react, but all they do is nuzzle my hand for treats. :-?

Someone please 'splain this clicker training thing to me like I'm 4 years old.

[Guest Anonymous]

Oooh Pick me! Pick me! I have a great way of explaining it :D

Like you I just couldn't quite "get it". Then my OB instructor... or was it? Someone :oops: ... explained to me like this...

The click NEVER has a bad day.

See, you may be having a bad day (although I don't train my dog if I've had a bad day, but just an example... say your frustrated if the dog just doesn't seem to get it) and the dog FINALLY does something right, you may be a bit shocked at first and be like "uhh... GOOD DOG!" dogs are EXCELLENT body readers we all know, as well as the tone of our voice. Since the Clicker only has one tone, and when begining training (which I'll explain) it is assosiated ONLY with something good, then they know they just preformed a very good job even though your hooting away and squeeling "GOOD SMART PUPPY" the clicker was able to get the message through first as soon as the dog preformed the desired task...

"LOADING THE CLICKER"
my OB instructor taught us how to "load the clicker". This is the first couple lessons you don't ask the dog to do something. You just click and treat/praise, click treat and praise... and so on. The dog then learns what the clicker is. The clicker means something GOOD. The clicker means mommy is happy! And most importantly, the clicker means TREATS! :D :wink:

After a few lessons of Loading the Clicker, you can finally ask for a "sit" or something and CLICK the SECOND the dog does it and praise like a mad woman (which I'm sure you have no problem with :lol: :wink: ).

I was also told you don't need to use the clicker EVERY time, you can phase it out just like treats... so that kina made me think "whats the point?" but I guess it helps to FIRST teach something... just like using treats :D

I hope that helped!! :D

[Malamum]

HF, spend a bit of time just clicking then treating.

Click then treat, click then treat, click then treat - don't ask them to do anything, you just want them to learn that once that funny thing mum is holding makes a click they will get a treat.

They are smart - it won't take them long to learn that they don't get the treat until they hear the click. So they will soon look to the clicker rather than the treat because they know that the click has to come first.

I'll give an example of why I find it better than just treating or giving verbal praise. When I'm walking Indy he gets very distracted by other dogs and any level of sense goes out the window. He won't pay attention to anything other than the other dog. I've been taking the clicker and treats on our walks and when I ask for his attention I click as soon as his eyes meet mine. If there is a distraction involved he may only give me a quick look then go back to the distraction. The clicker is precise enough so I can click for that few seconds that he is looking at me. There is no way I could give him a treat quick enough otherwise and he wouldn't really understand what it was he was being rewarded for. Because of the click he does. It really is working and he is getting much better at being able to let other dogs go by and still focussing on me.

[Malamum]

was also told you don't need to use the clicker EVERY time, you can phase it out just like treats... so that kina made me think "whats the point?" but I guess it helps to FIRST teach something... just like using treats

Shara, the purpose of the clicker is to help the dog understand exactly what it is they are supposed to do. Once they fully understand the command then there isn't really a need to click since they know they have done the right thing.

[Horsefeathers!]

Oooooooohhhhhh, now see, you both explained it so well. It makes a bit more sense to me.

I'm not really worried about re-training the rest of the "old" gang with it. I was just diddling around with it with them. I really want to find a way to get Fifty to focus. Click/treat may do it (eventually :-? ). Devin is also still young and could always learn more, but since he's a permanent resident, time is not really a factor. I need for Fifty to learn how to focus and to learn some basic good manners if he's ever going to be successfully rehomed. Click/treat and then training may do it. That makes more sense. That's what I'm desperate for with him... a way to catch his attention. This is the sweetest dog, well socialized and he is super smart, but it's almost like he can't control his energy. He's just go go go. That's why the two families who have given him up say they can't deal with him. I'm hoping this is a way to make him more manageable.

Thanks! :)

[Malamum]

Good luck.

[Boscoe13]

Wow! Thanks for the question and answers I was going to start but really didn't know how! Thanks again! :lol:

[drjeffrock]

Here are some links that might help you get started. I use clicker-training a bit, not very much though.

http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2002/punishment.htm

http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2002b/foodtreats.htm

http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2001b/desensitizing.htm

http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2002b/myths2.htm

edit-Some of these links may not apply to you, but on the whole, the website has some pretty good stuff re: clickers.
Good luck!

[Horsefeathers!]

Thanks for the links!

[Malamum]

I stated using a cliker with Indy a few months ago. However he already knew all the commands so I mainly wanted to use the clicker to improve on them.

I'm about to start using it with Kira, who has no training and currently know's nothing. I am interested to see how quickly it will help her pick things up when using it from scratch.

[Horsefeathers!]

That's encouraging, Malamum.

I began clicking/treating with Fifty today. So far, so good (but then, what could possibly go wrong with "*click* have a treat"?). Actually, this is one VERY smart little dog. I'm finding that a lot of the dogs I'm dealing with that were dumped for behavioral problems seem to be outsmarting the people they were dealing with (Devin and Fifty). He catches on very quickly. In only a few days (not clicking), he's MUCH better on leash. All it took was having him understand that I would not be dragged along. That may seem like I'm oversimplifying, but Fifty is extremely eager to please. It was like, "oh, was that bothering you? ok, I'll walk BESIDE you." I didn't have to yank, tug, jerk, or any of that (not that I would). Geez, I only hope the rest of his training goes as well (fat chance :roll: ).

I really think this clicker training is going to be the thing for him. I've been eyeballing him... hmmm, maybe I'm shooting for the stars, but I think Fifty would make a great agility dog (for someone else, of course :oops: ). I think that if he could learn to focus and get his obedience down, he'd absolutely rock in agility. Agile doesn't even begin to describe him.

I'm rambling....

Anyway, thanks so much for the input and good luck with Kira, Malamum! You are one step ahead in that you already know how to do it. :)