The resilience of reward-based training

• 09-05-2009 7:36 AM

  corvus Joined on 08-01-2006 Australia (NSW) Posts 2,693 Points 80

  The resilience of reward-based training Reply Contact After struggling with clicker training Kivi for the last year, I finally got some good advice and then made friends with someone nearby who could come and show me what I should be doing. It made SO much difference. My reinforcement rate was way too low and my training sessions too long and my timing a bit clumsy. Despite all this, having now been set on the right path, it was so heartening to see how quickly Kivi is recovering from my clumsy clicker training. In just a minute he was well on track and he feels to me like an untapped well just waiting for me to figure out how to get the best out of him. It's really exciting. When I messed up with corrections with Penny, I never made up the lost ground. In contrast, Kivi was making huge leaps in just a minute. I don't think I realised until now just how easy it was to fix things after messing up a little with clicker training. Just had to express that. And a big thanks to Spiritdogs for her advice as well. It really helped!   Mourning Penny. We were going to be young together forever, but I'm glad we grew up together instead.

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• 09-05-2009 10:33 AM

  In reply to corvus

  Chuffy Joined on 12-17-2006 UK Posts 7,410 Points 145

  Re: The resilience of reward-based training Reply Contact corvus: My reinforcement rate was way too low and my training sessions too long and my timing a bit clumsy.   Just four words: YOU ARE NOT ALONE! I was exactly the same when I started, and when I watch DH try it with Dell, he is the same too, and so is my friend that I showed it to.  I reckon these are the three most common mistakes that people make with thiskiind of training, which does have a knock on effect as to how effective it is.  But, like you noticed, all that happens is that it doesn't work... it doesn't leave a lasting negative impression on the dog.  (Or horse.  Or cat.  Or goldfish.  Or student. ) "Give a man a fire and he is warm for a day, but set fire to him and he is warm for the rest of his life." - Pratchett, "Jingo"

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• 09-05-2009 6:53 PM

  In reply to Chuffy

  corvus Joined on 08-01-2006 Australia (NSW) Posts 2,693 Points 80

  Re: The resilience of reward-based training Reply Contact  It didn't even fail to work. It was working, just slowly and Kivi's motivation wasn't real high. But I was so impressed with what happens when I get better. Kivi's never been clicker trained well, but all the basics are there and there's not really much lost ground to make up. All that had happened was his motivation was lower. Phew. Mourning Penny. We were going to be young together forever, but I'm glad we grew up together instead.

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• 09-06-2009 8:38 AM

  In reply to corvus

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 11,729 Points 1,020

  Re: The resilience of reward-based training Reply Contact  I'm always excited when I read a post like this.  Picture me here at the keyboard jumping up and down on my seat yelling "YESSSS!!!"  I'm so glad you got the help you needed and are making such good progress.    Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 20 1/2 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog In memory of Mike, please become an organ donor today. "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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