The clicker training challenge

DPU

Ron2, aren't you why why off topic and in advocacy mode

Not in my view. Re-read my post.

This thread is about challenging people to use the clicker. Not about what they think is wrong with it. My post was fully in support of one of the members and also included my thinking on why it is effective. While not directly an instruction in trying a clicker method for something, my post was certainly not out of line with the thinking for this thread. As far as I know, the mods are the actual thread monitors. If I was off topic or deleterious to the thread, they would let me know. This thread is not about debating styles of training nor is it a thread to pick apart what I have trained, what my dog does or does not get to do.

But you could report me or even start a thread on the misadventures of Ron.

ron2

DPU

Ron2, aren't you why why off topic and in advocacy mode

Not in my view. Re-read my post.

This thread is about challenging people to use the clicker. Not about what they think is wrong with it. My post was fully in support of one of the members and also included my thinking on why it is effective. While not directly an instruction in trying a clicker method for something, my post was certainly not out of line with the thinking for this thread. As far as I know, the mods are the actual thread monitors. If I was off topic or deleterious to the thread, they would let me know. This thread is not about debating styles of training nor is it a thread to pick apart what I have trained, what my dog does or does not get to do.

But you could report me or even start a thread on the misadventures of Ron.

I thought this was not a discussion of why why why but of trying the tool and posting your experience on the technique and then receiving support on the specific technique applied.  If this thread is going to discuss about the inner working of Clicker Training then my real experience and the truth that the training does cause discomfort, albeit not in all dogs will be in support of the members trying this tool.   Having full knowledge of the happenings by using this method will assist the samplers in making the experience pleasant for the dog. 

DPU

If this thread is going to discuss about the inner working of Clicker Training then my real experience and the truth that the training does cause discomfort, albeit not in all dogs will be in support of the members trying this tool.   Having full knowledge of the happenings by using this method will assist the samplers in making the experience pleasant for the dog. 

I'm not a mod or admin, so I can't tell you what to do. I'm not sure there's anyone left in the forum that doesn't know what your opinion is on the subject. Sometimes, it's all I can do to get out of the way and let a person do to themselves whatever it is they must. Oh great DPU, save us from our woeful ignorance.

So, Winnie and I have been clicking whilst on our morning mile (walk, not run).  I'm not really looking for a spot-on heel, just trying to keep her at my side, and paying at least some attention to me.  I think she's improving, but I'm not really cueing her, as I want this to be somewhat of a default behavior.  I click whenever she glances at me.

The other thing we're working on is "wait".  We're "waiting" at crosswalks and other visual boundaries, as well as non-visual spots (whenever I feel like it).  I'm hoping that once "wait" is strong, I can use that to keep her greetings a bit less exuberant.

It sounds like it's going well for you so far!  Honor and I are working on LLW as well, and it's a challenge.  I'm doing the same technique of clicking when she makes eye contact.  That part has been having great success.

Winnie's Dad

I'm hoping that once "wait" is strong, I can use that to keep her greetings a bit less exuberant.

Ann sent me an PM on this thread, so here I am...a little late(sorry Ann) For those of you who don't know Markie has started OB training since he retired in Dec from the conformation ring. My goal is to achive his CD title which would make him a Register of Honor dog with our parent club. Anywho...sure Ann I'll take your challange but I don't know that "I" am co-ordinated enough to help Markie...LOL!

I'll keep you posted, might not be often but I will promise updates :)

 Well, as a charter member of the Marky fan club, I am very glad to see that he wants to join in.  You might be very interested in Morgan Spector's book, "Clicker Training for Obedience" and maybe Shirley Chong's tape.  I think you can get that one at Tawzer Dog Videos. 

*Totally off topic*

 Ann I just have to tell you about Hannibal!! Do you remember me telling you about him, Markie's half brother who is our most recent "rescue case". Dustin and I have been working with him, he is doing great and we took him to his first dog show!! I am so proud of both those boys!! Hanibal actually won at his first show! It wasn't easy and he is still a work in progress but he has surely come so far and a true testament to the great temperament the breed is known for.

 Yay, Hannibal!!!!!  Love having a new guy to root for...  Now, I want the two of them to be clicker trained OTCH's    Speaking of temperament, have you ever thought of making Markie a therapy dog???  If you come to Bay Colony Cluster in Dec., I could test him;-))

Darn it, I just got around to checking this thread again. Anyway, congrats Amstaffy and count me in, too, as a fan of Markie, of course. I thought of you and Alieza today. On the way home, I saw a lady with two dogs in her car. One was a Border Collie and the other was a brown and white Am Staff with what looked like excellent structure in the head. Poking his head out the window and enjoying the wind.

For anyone having "clicker coordination" issues (not enough hands, where's my clicker, etc.)  A tip I picked up at a Pat Miller seminar was to use an ID badge zip cord/clip.

That way you don't have to hold your clicker when you don't need it, but you always know where it is, and it is easy to get to.  I like it better than the wrist or neck strap methods, because the zip cord zips it out of the way, so your clicker isn't hanging around and banging into things.

I don't know why I didn't think to mention it earlier, but you can always stand on the end of the leash instead of holding it;-))   Make sure you do it with the ball of the foot, or your heel, otherwise it will slip through and the dog will be off sniffing another dog's butt or chasing butterflies.  But, if you can do this, it takes care of at least one of the problems that newbies find vexing.