Dog Community

i got the clicker!

Posted : 12/19/2006 10:25:08 AM

i havent tried to start training him yet though, just got it yesterday, finally. i thought i'd go for a little test run, see how b reacted to it. so i smeared a dog biscuit with some pb, i was just going to make him sit for it, since he already knows the sit command. i tell him sit, and as soon as his butt touched the floor i clicked..and poof- butt comes back up and he is spinning around thinking the sound came from his backside [sm=rofl.gif] he took the treat and high-tailed it right out of there.

poor guy, i am going to have to take some time to let him adjust to the sound, it is alot louder than i thought it would be, it scared the crap out of me the first time i clicked it too.

i got the clicker now anyway, so be prepared to hear how it goes. i am going to make sure i fully understand what i am to do before i start, so it will probably be a good week or so before we do our first session. and as always, i am still open to suggestions and advice, i got some good stuff last time i asked.

Kristal Jenkinson

Posted : 12/19/2006 10:45:39 AM

That's great you're trying clicker training! I think you'll be very impressed with the results.

To make the click sound quieter you could try holding the clicker in a sock or wrapped in a dish towel. It looks silly, but it works!

Before you start "clicking" for a specific command, I would recommend starting by just clicking and giving your dog a treat immediately after. This will help him understand that the click is a positive thing, and since the process is so simple (click, treat...click, treat...) he'll catch on really quickly. Once you get to a point where when he hears the click he immediately looks at you for a treat, then you can start using it as reinforcement for specific behaviors.

Have fun and good luck! [

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Scout in Canada

Posted : 12/19/2006 1:20:32 PM

The process described by JRT Mom is sometimes called "loading the clicker". Just showing the dog that a click = treat. So you would click, treat, click treat, until they 'get' it (ie. look expectantly at you after hearing the click). Scout was scared of the clicker, and I have used a voice marker instead. But the clicker is probably the best, most accurate marker - good for you for giving it a try!

There are clickers that are shaped like a box, they are quite loud. And there are ones that have a button, nicer sounding in my opinion. Some people use the clicker on the end of a pen too.

spiritdogs

Posted : 12/19/2006 3:10:23 PM

Some good step by step info here:
[linkhttp://www.clickerlessons.com]www.clickerlessons.com[/link]
Videos here (free):
[linkhttp://www.clickertrainusa.com]www.clickertrainusa.com[/link]

gayle

Posted : 12/20/2006 2:00:55 AM

thank you's!

the sock idea is great, i might even go so far as to make a little bag with a velcro end to encase it in out of thick material- it is the box kind and really loud. which will be important out of doors, but inside it way too loud. so, with my makeshift "clicker-case" i can just take it off when we go outside [

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i will be conditioning him to the idea of the clicker before starting to train, i was just seeing what he would do the other day when i tried it out.

thank you for the links spiritdogs, the first one was actually what inspired me to try it, and will be what i go by. i have already started using the nail clipping method off there, but have only gone so far as to leave the clippers out, i wanted to start training him after i read it. i will be sooo enthused if i am able to cut his nails without the impossible struggling, so hopefully me and berserker will do well with his training. i will definitly watch the video's too. thanks again!

chewbecca

Posted : 12/20/2006 7:45:46 AM

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

Some good step by step info here:
[linkhttp://www.clickerlessons.com]www.clickerlessons.com[/link]
Videos here (free):
[linkhttp://www.clickertrainusa.com]www.clickertrainusa.com[/link]

Ooooh, I want to buy some of her new i-clickers!
Ella has extremely sensitive hearing for a dog (have you seen those bat ears of hers??? I just LOVE her), so those lighter sounding ones seem great.

Is there anywhere else I could get them? Any chain stores sell them? I'm just wondering because I want to start as soon as possible and I know shipping is going to be HORRIBLE right now.

houndlove

Posted : 12/20/2006 9:58:20 AM

I know that PetCo sells the iClick in a package with other "beginning clicker training" stuff--a little how-to booklet and some training treats. They usually sell them on a stanchion with their "New Doggie Must-Have" items.