Clicker Training - YorkieTalk.com Forums

y0rkieL0ver · 12-12-2005, 11:12 AM

okay, so im thinking of enrolling Sirius in the PETsMart puppy classes...i spoke to the instructor and she says they use the "clicker method" of training. i was just wondering if this was effective with yorkies? have any of you tried this method? did it work?

also, did anyone do the training through PETsMart? im a little wary of it- im just scared cuz hes going to be so teeny... its an all puppy class, but even a 12 week golden retriever will be HUGE compared to him! i just want to see if any of you have had any suggetions/advice/success with Clicker training.

yorkieagility · 12-12-2005, 11:50 AM

I use "clicker" training with all my dogs. At first it was really hard to understand the purpose of "Clicker training" but now that I understand it and I like it a lot.

I've always trained at a dog training center where all the instructors trained, compete, and/or judge obedience. Never tried one of thess chain store that offered obedience so I don't know how good they are.

FirstYorkie · 12-12-2005, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y0rkieL0ver

i spoke to the instructor and she says they use the "clicker method" of training. i was just wondering if this was effective with yorkies? have any of you tried this method? did it work?

Oh! I AM SO EXCITED for you! Yes, yes, yes. Joey is clicker-trained and continues to learn new things regularly using the clicker to capture correct behavior. I've never had so much fun training a dog, nor have I ever had a dog this well trained.

Once you learn the basics, let us know. There are tons of resources on the internet that we can point you to.

When you see how well your dog can learn using this method, you'll wonder why you ever used aversives!

mylittletigger · 12-12-2005, 12:02 PM

Yes, clicker training works. It takes time, patience and persistence but it does work.

PETsMART trainers I've always found to be really nice and willing to spend one on one time with you. I've heard many good things about their classes. Don't worry, they only allow five or six dogs per class maybe one or two more depending on the breeds signed up for the class. They won't just throw you in some class with a baby rottie and say "ok, here goes nothing." Best of luck. I say go for it.

KZinck · 12-12-2005, 12:06 PM

I used clicker training with Buddy in a private class and it worked great. Buddy was the smallest there but loved playing with all the dogs and it was good socialization as he is not afraid of any big dog on our walks now.

hunniebunnie · 12-12-2005, 01:58 PM

bunjee and i are in the petsmart puppy class right now and using clicker training. i think the techniques and it's been really helpful. my only concern so far is that bunjee is so distracted during class, he doesn't like to pay attention.

at the first class, bunjee was 10weeks, 3 lbs or so, he was the youngest and the smallest of all the pups, so needless to say he's a bit aprehensive about socializing with the other dogs. he got a little better during the second week and started coming out from behind my legs when the other dogs wanted to sniff him.

my class has a min pin, a pom, a jack russell, a cocker spaniel, and 2 labs. so their sizes vary. the trainer also suggested that i stay after class and socialize with the pups in the next class as well, to help bunjee outta his shell.

so overall i'm pretty happy with the class. of course, your mileage may vary depending on the class and trainer, but for the price, it's pretty good!

y0rkieL0ver · 12-13-2005, 07:00 AM

ty so much for the replies, guys. im want to sign him up for the next classes for puppies, which starts on the 20th...and im getting him this friday the 16th... do you think this is too soon to introduce him to the training? [he will be 12 weeks on friday and he has up to his 2nd round of shots now] i just dont want to freak him out too early on. it will only be a span of 4 days that i will have had him once the classes start... am i just being a worry wart?

prncssleah · 12-13-2005, 08:42 AM

I found this website that goes over the basic concepts behind clicker training. I think it sounds like a good idea.

http://www.clickandtreat.com/Newbies/newbies.html

hunniebunnie · 12-13-2005, 09:37 AM

bunjee went to his first class a day after his 10th week and i've had him for 2 weeks before we went to class. he was quite bit distracted. and all the other puppies were older and quite a bit larger than him, so the first day, he was a bit intimidated. so on one hand i wish he was a little older and bigger. but on the other hand he was a little more sociable the second week and the class taught me training methods different from what i was doing at home, so i'm glad we went early, started him on socialization, and before i started training him incorrectly.

kittendes · 12-13-2005, 10:02 AM

Willy isn't clicker trained, but I have him trained that if I want him to come back to me or if he's trying to get to the cats food or litterbox all I have to do is snap my fingers & he comes running. I love it. I started doing it so I didn't disturb my husband when Willy wasn't behaving, if I called him then my husband would also think he needed to correct him too, when I snap my fingers he stops whatever he's doing & comes right back to me.
Desiree

joey301 · 12-13-2005, 01:48 PM

Clicker training was good for Ruggles. We have a great doggy training school here and it was great fun as well as useful. The socialization alone is worth the effort. Smarty, on the other hand, is not as trainable. I think the reason is that it is hard to get him by himself.
Joey

stinky · 12-13-2005, 02:39 PM

Ginger just graduated from Petsmart’s puppy class, Saturday. I liked taking her because she got a lot of socialization being around the other dogs. They were all much bigger, but none were a threat to her; they all got along just fine. As for the clicker, I couldn’t get used to using it with her. She does fine without it though. By the second class almost all the parents had stopped using the clickers; the instructor didn’t seem too big on them either.

MelAnnDoll · 12-18-2005, 01:56 PM

We actually just got home from our 3rd puppy class at petsmart. I think it is really good for her! She gets to be around other puppies and other people, and she is actually learning something!! We use the clicker most of the time, but not all the time.

Tiger's Mom · 12-22-2005, 05:55 PM

To Yorkie Lover . . . My Tiger has gone to Petsmart puppy training twice already . . .he gets a total of 8 weeks training. On his first day (we missed the first class), the lesson was to sit on command. After a few days, he knows it already and does not need a treat to do it. Being that it is a small class, you do learn a lot. The important thing is making sure your puppy gets a lot of practice from what he has learned in class.

My Tiger goes to puppy training and the 2 other dogs are about 40 lbs. But he seemed fine around them. If you prefer that he is around his size, Petsmart has a class specific to "small dogs" which I plan to switch my Tiger right after the holidays. He can be more sociable with his own size and just makes me feel more comfortable knowing they aren't much bigger than he is.

waistfull · 12-22-2005, 06:02 PM

Wow I'm glad I saw this link. I'd love to try this out. Sounds like a great idea. My pups are 12 months old now and I think they would be great ages for this!

12-12-2005, 11:12 AM	#1
y0rkieL0ver Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Medford, Ma Posts: 865	Clicker Training okay, so im thinking of enrolling Sirius in the PETsMart puppy classes...i spoke to the instructor and she says they use the "clicker method" of training. i was just wondering if this was effective with yorkies? have any of you tried this method? did it work? also, did anyone do the training through PETsMart? im a little wary of it- im just scared cuz hes going to be so teeny... its an all puppy class, but even a 12 week golden retriever will be HUGE compared to him! i just want to see if any of you have had any suggetions/advice/success with Clicker training. __________________ To eRr is HuMan, To FoRgiVe, CaNiNe Jackie & Sirius

12-12-2005, 12:06 PM	#5
KZinck Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Posts: 44	Clicker Training I used clicker training with Buddy in a private class and it worked great. Buddy was the smallest there but loved playing with all the dogs and it was good socialization as he is not afraid of any big dog on our walks now.

12-13-2005, 07:00 AM	#7
y0rkieL0ver Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Medford, Ma Posts: 865	ty so much for the replies, guys. im want to sign him up for the next classes for puppies, which starts on the 20th...and im getting him this friday the 16th... do you think this is too soon to introduce him to the training? [he will be 12 weeks on friday and he has up to his 2nd round of shots now] i just dont want to freak him out too early on. it will only be a span of 4 days that i will have had him once the classes start... am i just being a worry wart? __________________ To eRr is HuMan, To FoRgiVe, CaNiNe Jackie & Sirius

12-13-2005, 08:42 AM	#8
prncssleah YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hartsville, SC Posts: 263	Clicker Training I found this website that goes over the basic concepts behind clicker training. I think it sounds like a good idea. http://www.clickandtreat.com/Newbies/newbies.html __________________ Leah, mom to Tank the Yorkie & Buckeye the Boston www.dlparr.com

12-13-2005, 02:39 PM	#12
stinky YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Mexico Posts: 491	Ginger just graduated from Petsmart’s puppy class, Saturday. I liked taking her because she got a lot of socialization being around the other dogs. They were all much bigger, but none were a threat to her; they all got along just fine. As for the clicker, I couldn’t get used to using it with her. She does fine without it though. By the second class almost all the parents had stopped using the clickers; the instructor didn’t seem too big on them either. __________________ Liz & Ginger

12-12-2005, 11:50 AM	#2
yorkieagility YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: House Of York Posts: 1,079	I use "clicker" training with all my dogs. At first it was really hard to understand the purpose of "Clicker training" but now that I understand it and I like it a lot. I've always trained at a dog training center where all the instructors trained, compete, and/or judge obedience. Never tried one of thess chain store that offered obedience so I don't know how good they are.

12-12-2005, 12:02 PM	#4
mylittletigger YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 1,216	Yes, clicker training works. It takes time, patience and persistence but it does work. PETsMART trainers I've always found to be really nice and willing to spend one on one time with you. I've heard many good things about their classes. Don't worry, they only allow five or six dogs per class maybe one or two more depending on the breeds signed up for the class. They won't just throw you in some class with a baby rottie and say "ok, here goes nothing." Best of luck. I say go for it.

12-12-2005, 01:58 PM	#6
hunniebunnie Follower of Yorkietology Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cali-fo-nee-ya Posts: 1,325	bunjee and i are in the petsmart puppy class right now and using clicker training. i think the techniques and it's been really helpful. my only concern so far is that bunjee is so distracted during class, he doesn't like to pay attention. at the first class, bunjee was 10weeks, 3 lbs or so, he was the youngest and the smallest of all the pups, so needless to say he's a bit aprehensive about socializing with the other dogs. he got a little better during the second week and started coming out from behind my legs when the other dogs wanted to sniff him. my class has a min pin, a pom, a jack russell, a cocker spaniel, and 2 labs. so their sizes vary. the trainer also suggested that i stay after class and socialize with the pups in the next class as well, to help bunjee outta his shell. so overall i'm pretty happy with the class. of course, your mileage may vary depending on the class and trainer, but for the price, it's pretty good!

12-13-2005, 09:37 AM	#9
hunniebunnie Follower of Yorkietology Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cali-fo-nee-ya Posts: 1,325	bunjee went to his first class a day after his 10th week and i've had him for 2 weeks before we went to class. he was quite bit distracted. and all the other puppies were older and quite a bit larger than him, so the first day, he was a bit intimidated. so on one hand i wish he was a little older and bigger. but on the other hand he was a little more sociable the second week and the class taught me training methods different from what i was doing at home, so i'm glad we went early, started him on socialization, and before i started training him incorrectly.

12-13-2005, 10:02 AM	#10
kittendes Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2005 Location: Perkasie, PA Posts: 214	Willy isn't clicker trained, but I have him trained that if I want him to come back to me or if he's trying to get to the cats food or litterbox all I have to do is snap my fingers & he comes running. I love it. I started doing it so I didn't disturb my husband when Willy wasn't behaving, if I called him then my husband would also think he needed to correct him too, when I snap my fingers he stops whatever he's doing & comes right back to me. Desiree

12-13-2005, 01:48 PM	#11
joey301 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 36	Clicker training was good for Ruggles. We have a great doggy training school here and it was great fun as well as useful. The socialization alone is worth the effort. Smarty, on the other hand, is not as trainable. I think the reason is that it is hard to get him by himself. Joey

12-18-2005, 01:56 PM	#13
MelAnnDoll Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 172	We actually just got home from our 3rd puppy class at petsmart. I think it is really good for her! She gets to be around other puppies and other people, and she is actually learning something!! We use the clicker most of the time, but not all the time.

12-22-2005, 05:55 PM	#14
Tiger's Mom Donating YT 8000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 9,339	To Yorkie Lover . . . My Tiger has gone to Petsmart puppy training twice already . . .he gets a total of 8 weeks training. On his first day (we missed the first class), the lesson was to sit on command. After a few days, he knows it already and does not need a treat to do it. Being that it is a small class, you do learn a lot. The important thing is making sure your puppy gets a lot of practice from what he has learned in class. My Tiger goes to puppy training and the 2 other dogs are about 40 lbs. But he seemed fine around them. If you prefer that he is around his size, Petsmart has a class specific to "small dogs" which I plan to switch my Tiger right after the holidays. He can be more sociable with his own size and just makes me feel more comfortable knowing they aren't much bigger than he is.

12-22-2005, 06:02 PM	#15
waistfull Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,861	Oh I'd love to try it! Wow I'm glad I saw this link. I'd love to try this out. Sounds like a great idea. My pups are 12 months old now and I think they would be great ages for this!