Dog Community

Clicker training newbie success

Posted : 1/30/2007 5:51:50 PM

OK, I am going to come across like a beaming proud father and everything, but I had to post this :-)

Based on the posts here we got a clicker this weekend and started using it to teach Juneau new stuff. I wouldn't say it's been an overnight transformation, but, it has been a lot of FUN !!

First, we worked on down-stay in the kitchen (good place since there's no distractions there). She's definitely getting it. I watched a couple of the videos on clickertrainusa.com and went for it -- how cool. After the 3rd session we were able to roll her favorite ball past her and she's stay put. Amazing! She's not great at staying for a long time yet but we'll keep at it.

Second, been working on loose-leash walking. I've been taking a bunch of treats and the clicker on walks and c/t every time she walks with me without pulling, and whenever she comes back close to my side. After the 3rd walk there is a noticeable difference ... she even comes over to me every now and then and looks up like, "where's my treat?" Hilarious.

Finally -- today I decided to try to teach a silly "spin" trick, since it's easy to lure her to do. First session, she definitely would spin around when I led her with a treat in my hand. Did that about 20 times but she didn't figure out how to do it without the lure. Second session (a few hours later) I tried again, many many many repetitions but on the last one I said "spin" and she went around by herself. AWESOME!!!!! I laughed and hugged her so hard (after giving her a handful of treats) she probably thought she won the lottery.

OK, so, that was a hell of a lot of fun. I guess if I'm having this much fun training my dog it'll be a good thing for her down the line :-)

Houndlove, we got the Power of Positive Dog Training book - thanks for the suggestion. Starting to read through it now...

jones

Posted : 1/30/2007 6:57:14 PM

Awesome! Juneau's still only about 3 months old, right? She sounds like one clever puppy [

], glad you're both having so much fun.

Chuffy

Posted : 1/30/2007 7:06:58 PM

Woo hoo!! [sm=dance.gif]
Sounds like you're having a great time with it and she's making progress which is great. If you're a newbie to the clicker I recommend the "box thing" - I bet she'll have a great time and you'll get loads of bizarre and creative stuff from her. If you do try it, make sure to come back and tell us about it (I opened a thread for it in this section)
Well done anyways!

J M

Posted : 1/31/2007 1:45:50 AM

It is fun isn't it? ;-)

Do try shaping, it is a blast.

Your dog is very lucky to have you, and she is a beauty.

Kim_MacMillan

Posted : 1/31/2007 7:57:49 AM

Congrats, it truly is amazing isn't it?

I'm training our new pup, almost 8-week old (she is homebred, we didn't get her too young, for those who might ask) Mini Schnauzer now. We had our second session last night teaching sit, and I never get over the energy and hilarity of teaching puppies who have the attention span of a flea. But I'll also never get over how fast those little jelly-brains catch on.

Keep up the good work!

Kim MacMillan

juneaudog

Posted : 2/1/2007 5:42:01 PM

Amazing. Our pup seemed to absorb her training overnight. Before she did NOT understand the verbal cue for "spin". But just this afternoon, more than 24 hours since I last gave it a shot, it has finally sunk in when I say "spin" she'll go around in a circle. I read that the training seems to set in after a little break ... pretty cool to see that in action.

J M

Posted : 2/2/2007 12:08:15 AM

Keep at it and you will begin to see some amazing stuff.

Recently I had the clicker and treats out for the pom, just sitting and contemplating. He got in front of me and started doing downs, sits, etc. Trying to get me to click the clicker.

I had my hands kind of just lying limp on my lap...the pom gets up and walks toward me with a really sly mischevious look in his eyes... and touches his nose to my curled up finger.

He knows the touch command but he also knows the hand signal is a pointed finger.

He improvised.

It was the cutest thing ever! And boy did he get a lovin up for that one.

So keep us in touch with your stories. I am a newbie in ct also and love hearing what other folks are doing.

agilebasenji

Posted : 2/2/2007 10:22:26 AM

it has been a lot of FUN !!

I think this is one of the biggest appeals of clicker training.

Congrats on your new superstar![

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