Anyone used clicker training?

[clpsmum]

Is it really as wonderful as all the books seem to say? Wondered if anyone had any real life experience of using clicker training?

[idirdog]

Yep it is?

You can train dogs to want to do almost anything with a clicker

[idirdog]

no idea where the ? came from

[moosemama]

Yes, it really is that good.

Have a look at some of Kikopup's videos on her Youtube channel or her website www.dogmantics.com.

[mintchocchick]

I started using a clicker about 2 weeks ago. I hadn't before then as I thought it was just one extra thing too many and I was a bit worried I wouldn't have the hands free for the clicker on top of treats etc. I also couldn't see the point in it really.

But I love it now. I just pick it up and my puppy sits and watches me intently! He knows treats will follow bit it means he's alert, watching me and anticipating what I'm going to ask him to do. He does pick up things quite quickly as well though I've only taught him sit, flat, stand, leave and touch so he touches a stick with his nose! The last one was given in the little booklet that the clicker came with and DC think it's hilarious!

I haven't managed a clicker on a walk yet as I really am struggling with lead, poo bags etc.

What's holding you back clpsmu ?

[mintchocchick]

Sorry, that 'what's holding you back' question sounds a bit weird! I just mean, why are you not sure about it? That sounds better!

[moosemama]

Mint, I know I'm always in trouble for getting you to spend money on mintypup, but clicker training on walks is easier if you have a training/bait bag to carry everything in.

I have one of these bags which holds poo bags, treats and also has room for a whistle and clicker. It has a metal ring on too, so I attach one of these clickers to it and then I can just let it go knowing it's not going to drop on the floor and I can find it again easily.

[CalamityKate]

Yes. It's amazing if you do it right. However if you do it wrong it's very easy to teach the wrong thing so read/watch as much as you can first (as Moosemama says, Kikopup/Emily Larlham is brilliant), make sure you understand the rules, maybe practise your timing without the dog present and I guarantee you'll be hooked - and so will your dog!

It's addictive :)

[idirdog]

Best way to carry a clicker is to put in a hair elastic and wear it around your wrist. No expense at all .

[mintchocchick]

Moose - you can imagine my Christmas wish list can't you? All doggie stuff!

I have an old bum bag that came with a conference backpack and attachs round my waist and holds all the necessary. So I do use that and could attach the clicker somewhere. But I use a harness and D ring second lead for training walks so have a lead in each hand, and try and treat close walking frequently, but sometimes get in so much of a tangle that I step on minty pups paws when we're on a training walk. I'm not dexterous!

What do you 'click' when walking? Close, calm walking? Do you have to give one treat for every single click or can you click a few times for good behaviour and only treat say every 5 clicks? Maybe that dilutes it?

[CalamityKate]

If you click you treat. Always. Even if you make a mistake and click at the wrong time.

This is why it's so important that you read as much as possible and get the rules clear in your mind.

Google clicker training, or clicker basics - there's loads on the net. Or youtube.

[moosemama]

I've tried that Idir and couldn't get on with it. Mind you I can't stand wearing bracelets or having tight cuffs either, so it's probably just me being weird!

I find having everything in one pouch really useful. I have old 'fresh showergel' pots from 'Lush' that I use to store my treats in and they fit perfectly in the bag, so I can just grab a pot and my pouch and I have everything I need for a walk in a second.

[CalamityKate]

I think my treat bag is a Karen Pryor one. It stays open if you want it to which is really handy.

[CalamityKate]

Ooh its new and improved - it's got a belt clip!

[moosemama]

Yes, always treat within a second or so of clicking. The click marks the correct behaviour and indicates to the dog that a reward is on it's way.

You need to decide what behaviour you're training for and click treat for that. You can shape the behaviour, so say start out clicking for him walking calmly without charging ahead, then up the ante to only rewarding for walking somewhere near your left leg, then when he's in the heel position then refine it to however you want his leadwork to present. You would start of doing lots of click treating in a very short distance, but with most dogs you could progress to rewarding once every so many steps and gradually increasing it pretty quickly.

I worked with my dogs to walking nice and calmly on a loose lead to begin with. Lots of work in the house and garden, then on the drive, then in our close, before moving it into the big wide world. Meanwhile, I worked on rewarding him for walking close to my left leg off lead around the house and garden and getting that behaviour on cue, before adding in the lead. So now they have two cues, one meaning you can walk ahead or wherever as long as the lead is loose and you're not pulling me about and another for staying close by my left leg for when I need close control.

[moosemama]

I made the mistake of buying a cheap bag with a velcro attachment in the first instance. Took about two days to be full of dog hair and lose it's grip. The one I linked to just has a plastic hook and the treat section has a drawstring/toggle for opening and closing.

[TooOldForGlitter]

I have to say yes. We started clicker training our last dog, a border collie, but gave up because hand signals worked better for him.

Since we had new pooch, just two weeks, we have clicker trained him to stop, wait, lie down, leave, paw and bow. He is a greyhound and as thick as mince.