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FirstYorkie · 02-04-2006, 10:37 AM

3) Purists in clicker training don't lure or otherwise show the dog what to do. They use capturing - waiting until the dog freely offers the behavior you're trying to teach and then click and treat (CT). Good first behaviors for this method are sit, down, attention and doggy zen (explained later). This is because these are behaviors that you know your dog is likely to offer you. Clicker trainers also use shaping to teach more difficult or precise behaviors. In shaping, you CT early captured steps in the behavior, gradually requiring more of what you want.

I used capturing and shaping to teach Joey "Left" (meaning look left) followed by "left spin". I began by CT'ing any movement of his head so that he would know that's what we were working on (that's the capturing part - I didn't move his head or entice him to move his head. I just waited until he did it, then C/T). Then, I CT'ed only movements of his head toward the left. When he was looking left frequently on his own, I added the cue 'Left". Soon, I had a dog who would look left on command! I left it at that for a while until I was sure that was solid, then I began only rewarding larger movements to the left until finally he was turning all the way around. Then I named it "Left Spin" for him.

Clicker training is often called "couch training" by those who use this method. That's because you just gather your treats, clicker, and dog and go sit on the couch. Then you wait. When the dog offers the behavior you want (or some approximation of it), C/T. Wait and repeat. It is really fun to watch the dog think "Huh? What did I do that made her click/treat?" It is so cool to see them think "Maybe it was this?" and try it. C/T. Then you see them "AHA! Doing this is what's paying today! No problem, watch me do it again, and again and again!" It is really cool. (did I say this is cool???)

Many dogs react best to this if you don't stare directly at them while waiting for the behavior (too much pressure). Instead, pretend you are looking at something else while watching them from the corner of your eye.

It's best if you do this the first time or two with something you know your dog will freely offer. Like "sit". Or capture what he's offering at the moment. Whatever he's offering will probably be fun to have on command!

Questions? Input from other clicker trainers?

02-04-2006, 10:37 AM	#3
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	3) Purists in clicker training don't lure or otherwise show the dog what to do. They use capturing - waiting until the dog freely offers the behavior you're trying to teach and then click and treat (CT). Good first behaviors for this method are sit, down, attention and doggy zen (explained later). This is because these are behaviors that you know your dog is likely to offer you. Clicker trainers also use shaping to teach more difficult or precise behaviors. In shaping, you CT early captured steps in the behavior, gradually requiring more of what you want. I used capturing and shaping to teach Joey "Left" (meaning look left) followed by "left spin". I began by CT'ing any movement of his head so that he would know that's what we were working on (that's the capturing part - I didn't move his head or entice him to move his head. I just waited until he did it, then C/T). Then, I CT'ed only movements of his head toward the left. When he was looking left frequently on his own, I added the cue 'Left". Soon, I had a dog who would look left on command! I left it at that for a while until I was sure that was solid, then I began only rewarding larger movements to the left until finally he was turning all the way around. Then I named it "Left Spin" for him. Clicker training is often called "couch training" by those who use this method. That's because you just gather your treats, clicker, and dog and go sit on the couch. Then you wait. When the dog offers the behavior you want (or some approximation of it), C/T. Wait and repeat. It is really fun to watch the dog think "Huh? What did I do that made her click/treat?" It is so cool to see them think "Maybe it was this?" and try it. C/T. Then you see them "AHA! Doing this is what's paying today! No problem, watch me do it again, and again and again!" It is really cool. (did I say this is cool???) Many dogs react best to this if you don't stare directly at them while waiting for the behavior (too much pressure). Instead, pretend you are looking at something else while watching them from the corner of your eye. It's best if you do this the first time or two with something you know your dog will freely offer. Like "sit". Or capture what he's offering at the moment. Whatever he's offering will probably be fun to have on command! Questions? Input from other clicker trainers? __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training!