I never used clickers but I know a lot of you do so here is some advice from Adam.
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Using a Clicker vs Adopting the Flawed Clicker Training
Methodology
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Using a Clicker Vs Adopting the Flawed Clicker Training Methodology
There are two points you must recognize:
1.) You CAN train a dog using a traditional approach AND use the
clicker. It depends on your style, but yes... I've had very good
results using the clicker as an event marker, and for getting the
dog to understand a new behavior... especially a more complex
behavior. However, THIS IS ONLY USED DURING THE FIRST PHASE OF
TRAINING ... the "learning phase." Once you move into the
reinforcement and proofing phase, the clicker loses it's benefits.
2.) The idea that "some methods work better for some dogs," is a
falsehood. It stems from people who are not completely competent in
working with dogs.
Here's where the misperception comes in:
TRUTH: Some dogs are very soft. These dogs you will emphasize more
praise and build them up. Use of corrections are minimal, and
depending upon the dog's temperament, may just be just a verbal
correction to be motivational.
MYTH: These dogs never need to be told when they do something
wrong, therefore a "different method" (i.e. clicker training)
should be used. This is complete bunk.
Recognize that using a clicker as an event marker is not the
"clicker training approach."
The clicker training approach requires that you keep your dog
confined at all times that you are not following him around this
house with a clicker to reward the right behavior. This is why it
works so well with dolphins: Because they're confined in a small
pool when they're not being trained.
In any event... I'm off on a tangent.
Using the clicker as ONE tool in your arsenal is fine. But using it
to the exclusion of all the other tools at your disposal and you're
being blind.