Dog Community

Clicker Expo was AWESOME!

Posted : 3/26/2007 10:17:08 AM

Lol I could end my post with the heading really cause it sums it up quite well. [

] I got back late last night from 3 days of some of the most wonderful experiences ever - I so didn't want to go back to the "real" world where people look at me odd when I talk about dogs and clicker training or where I see dogs being collar corrected for not understanding a cue.

I learned soo much, even got to spend 4 hours talking with Emma Parsons (of Click to Calm fame) over dinner! I made some new friends and learned about teaching modifiers (e.g. left vs. right, up vs. down, etc.), teaching crossover people and dogs, using advanced tecniques like NRM, differential reinforcement, etc.), using TAG Teach methods with people, using clicker work to teach body cues for agility and increase speed on course, how to use agility obstacles as reinforcers, and the list could go on and on.

I got to see shaping by Kay Lawrence, Joan Orr, Emma Parsons, and others, talk to people about clicking for muscle movement rather than stationary behavior, laughed at the funny things clicker dogs do, and generally socialized with about 400 people like me. [

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Maggie did absolutely amazing - only a few growls and only in appropriate settings and always willing and happy to come with me to sessions. She attended about 8 hours/day of lecture and some learning labs, walked right by other dogs w/o a glance, did long down stays, slept next to other dogs, sniffed appropriately, and even made a new dog friend. She amazed me and totally lived up to her nickname: the Amazing Maggie Mae. I had tons of people stop me in the hall to ask about her and even had one BC rescue person say that she'd keep her eye out for another Texas Heeler for me (even though their rescue rarely adopts out of state she was impressed by Maggie and I enough to bend that rule if something that fits my needs shows up!). [

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All in all a GREAT time was had and I wanna go back. I HIGHLY recommend going to a Clicker Expo if you get the chance, no matter what your experience level. There's something for everyone!

Amy

Posted : 3/26/2007 4:45:27 PM

I was there too- with a my rottie mix, and my friend who brought her white standard poodle. I loved it! I noticed that in lecture when one dog would act up and start a wave of barks, you didn't hear a peep from people- just a flurry of clicking as people clicked their dogs before they joined in, or clicked for returning attention. Nobody was at the end of the leash nagging their dog for attention, and no jerks, either. My favorite presenters? Emma Parsons, Ken Ramirez and Kathy Sdao. I am so glad I went, and revved up to train again. And reaffirmend that clicking is not just "nicer" but truly the best/most effective and SAFE way for training any animal - with the science to prove it

tashakota

Posted : 3/27/2007 1:01:40 PM

Wow where was it? Sounds amazing! I wish I'd known about it and had gone.

stardog85

Posted : 3/27/2007 4:33:49 PM

Clicker Expo moves around every year - this time it was in Cleveland. My parents paid for my registration, meals, and hotel as part of a combo graduation/christmas gift otherwise I wouldn't have had a chance of going.

spiritdogs

Posted : 3/27/2007 10:23:16 PM

I'm jealous with a capital "J". I have met Emma, but really want to see Kay somtime.
I had to miss it last time when it was closer to me - I hope to go next time it gets within driving distance...

griffinej5

Posted : 3/28/2007 1:03:58 AM

Cool! I'm going to a TAG Teach seminar next month.