Clicker Training

[bckrazy]

Clickers are actually SUPER handy for teaching tricks, even though it seems like even more work to carry one around. It works wonders with Fozzie in Obedience, because he tends to get very distracted by smells and dropped treats around the training site. The clicker keeps him motivated, excited, and allows me to tell him that he is getting a reward the millisecond that he does what I ask of him. You cannot say "good girl" in a millisecond... and you saying "good girl" is not a complete and total indication that a reward is coming. I'm sure you say "good girl" all of the time without a food reward, and praise is awesome, but for most dogs it is not the ultimate motivation.

For instance, I wanted to teach Fozzie beg for a long time... and I just couldn't get there. He would beg with a lure, but never without one, and he wouldn't hold the beg for more than a second. Until I used the clicker. He would beg, I would click, and slowly draw out the time between the click and the treat. The click let him know that he was doing the right thing, and that a reward was coming.

Clickers are also really helpful for making positive associations... like, if you're trying to desensitize your dog to something that scares them or causes them to react negatively. Click/treat, click/treat, click/treat over and over to reinforce is a lot easier than "good dog"/treat, "good dog"/treat, "good dog"/treat. In general, clickers are used to teach a new behavior, but they're also great to use when practicing known behaviors with lots of distractions. It allows you to mark exactly what you want your dog to do at the exact moment they do it, and being that your dog gets a treat after EVERY click, they really pay attention when the clicker is out.

We tried it with Zoee but the click sound scares her.

Gonzo used to run from the clicker... it was so sad. But, after lots and lots of loading (click/treat over and over), he really likes the clicker. You can buy various clickers that have softer or louder clicks. My clicker is adjustable, and I put it on the lowest setting for Gonzo.

[Taz_Zoee]

Gonzo used to run from the clicker... it was so sad. But, after lots and lots of loading (click/treat over and over), he really likes the clicker. You can buy various clickers that have softer or louder clicks. My clicker is adjustable, and I put it on the lowest setting for Gonzo.

Sophie was over back in December and she even tried the clicker in her pocket and Zoee wasn't having it. We do have pretty quiet clickers at the shelter boutique I volunteer with. They are nice too because they slide on your finger. Maybe I'll try one of those with her.

[boomersooner]

Boomer's trainer (was also Cassie's) has been training dogs for over 20 years....she does clicker training now and gets much better results....It takes some getting used to, but Boomer really responds to it......I love it.....I think it really does work..

[MoonandBean]

My goofy dog is afraid of the clicker
When we're at school, she's fine. Click. Treat. Click. Treat. No problem. If I try to use it at home, she runs away from it. IS NOTHING EASY WITH THIS DOG?

We started Agility last night and they plan on using the clicker so we'll see how it goes. She'll probably have a seizure when I bring the clicker to class next week

[clara4457]

Personally, I'm a big fan of clicker training. It isn't as if they can't learn without the clicker, but I think they learn faster and more reliably with clicker training. The thing I really like about the clicker is that your timing is better with the clicker. So many people fiddle for so long with the treat, that by the time the reward comes, the dog is confused as to what he/she is being rewarded for. The clicker is also consistent from person to person, sound to sound and prevents confusion to the dog.

The clicker is GREAT for shaping behaviors and tricks. You can put the clicker on a lanyard that you can wear around your neck or clip it on your treat bag.

Just my 2 cents.

[boomersooner]

Boomer can hear that clicker in another room, and he comes a running, wondering what he did, and what kind of treat he is going to get! HA