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Want to start clicker training

15 replies

catbus · 18/06/2014 13:30

And is there a specific clicker that's recommended or are they much of a muchness? Looking on Amazon atm..

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catbus · 18/06/2014 13:38

And where is a good place to read/ watch and learn the basics?

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fanoftheinvisibleman · 18/06/2014 13:45

You won't go far wrong with Kikopup on Youtube. She is fabulous and has videos from the basics up. Any old clicker will do ime. Enjoy...it's addictive Smile

Practicalpet · 18/06/2014 23:12

In addition to Kikopup which is amazing. Another one to look at would be Karen Pryor, very helpful tips on her website.
Good luck -it's amazing how quickly you get results.

lepetitchienbrun · 19/06/2014 08:05

Can someone explain why the clicker is worthwhile over normal treat based training? Isn't it a pain to have to have it with you all the time?

Lilcamper · 19/06/2014 08:27

The clicker paired with treats is an amazing training tool. It's consistent and distinct.

The click captures the exact moment the dog does something you want. It is followed by the treat within 3 seconds.

The dog is more likely to then repeat the behaviour marked by the click.

Someone will probably be along to explain better, I have to do the school run.

It is no hassle to carry, I always have a treat pouch with me and it fits in the pocket.

moosemama · 19/06/2014 09:35

I'd recommend you buy half a dozen and keep them in every coat pocket and treat bag, that way you never have to remember to take one with you. I prefer this style of clicker myself, mainly because it sits nicely in the palm of your hand, but almost any will do. There is one particular one called the multi-click, I think, that has different levels of click, which is good for dogs that are sound sensitive. The only ones I really don't like are the rectangular and bone shaped ones, as I find them uncomfortable and awkward to hold.

Clickers are far more consistent and precise than any other method, as they capture and mark the exact second your dog does something right. They also get the dog to think for themselves, as the dog can easily identify precisely when the click happened and decide to repeat that behaviour to see if they get another reward.

You can use clicker not only to mark specific behaviour, such as sit, down etc, but also to shape a dog's behaviour and in doing so your dog gets a fantastic mental work out as they have to problem solve along the way.

I'd also highly recommend Kikopup and Karen Pryor is a good place to read about why the clicker works and therefore get to grips with the best way to use it.

muttynutty · 19/06/2014 09:40

You don't need a clicker with you all the time. Once the dog has learnt a behaviour they will do it without the clicker - the clicker is used to teach a behaviour. (although most people become clicker addicts and will carry a clicker to capture any behaviours they want to teach or work on existing behaviours)

moosemama · 19/06/2014 10:35

Good point mutty, I forget that other people don't need to carry one all the time to capture positive responses to other dogs like I do! Blush

Although I do like to have one with me for impromptu fun training sessions too, as I find it both relaxes him and gets him to refocus on me, which can be really useful sometimes.

catbus · 19/06/2014 10:46

I've ordered a couple. Planning on taking it out with me on walks to reinforce around distractions!
Clover has met another Collie, 6 months old, who is desperate to play. I'm aiming for using it to get some control over the frantic barking Grin..
Gonna start with that in the garden and progress from there. From what I've read so far, I'm quite excited- if only because I realise the click is the same every time- unlike my voice where she can pick up on tone if I'm particularly exasperated
Presumably one can fade the treats out gradually too?

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catbus · 19/06/2014 10:47

I will check out Karen Pryor, too- thankyou Thanks

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moosemama · 19/06/2014 11:18

Yes, you need to read up on reinforcement/reward schedules, going from a treat every time to, intermittent rewards and jackpots and eventually fading the click and treat.

It's probably better for you to read some of Kikopup and Karen Pryor's stuff than for me to try and explain it all here. It's actually very simple, but I always seem to end up being really long-winded when I try to explain it. Blush

needastrongone · 19/06/2014 11:32

Just a quick add. I find that, if I want to capture calm behaviours, then I won't use the clicker. My two dogs love clicker training, but get very excited when they see the clicker and start to offer all sorts of behaviours to elicit a piece of liver. Smile

So, if they are lying quietly in their beds and I want to capture the calm behaviour, I will just walk past, drop a treat, and say 'yes' or 'good bed' or whatever Smile

moosemama · 19/06/2014 11:37

Another good point needa. The clicker is best avoided for when you want to capture calm. (Kikopup has a video on this) In those situation I use 'good + the cue word' eg "good settle" or "good quiet".

catbus · 19/06/2014 12:13

Ah good to know. I wasn't sure whether it'd be a good idea to click for not barking- although I might give it a bash and then fade it out.. I shall look for the kikopup vid on this Smile

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fanoftheinvisibleman · 19/06/2014 12:41

I did use a a clicker to teach no barking. But I did it by teaching to bark on cue and then quiet on cue.

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