Clicker Training

[Karrie]

We're a big fan of the clicker training too! I opted for a key word 'yes' instead of the clicker - but used the same concept. It is a wonderful training concept!

Good luck!

[AllDogBoots]

Originally Posted by Karrie

We're a big fan of the clicker training too! I opted for a key word 'yes' instead of the clicker - but used the same concept. It is a wonderful training concept!

Good luck!

We tried a little tonight. I conditioned the trainer and we did "LOOK". I'm afraid to give him more training treats! One of our major issues is his barking when I give commands. If I say "SIT", he'll sit while barking. Same with lay. Not quite sure how I can tackle that.

[diannenet]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Drop it is such an important command, I always give a treat afterwards, I think it's so important that he drop it every time, he never has to wonder about it, and just drops it. He knows what I'm giving him is as good as what he has. Funny with come, I've never had a dog with a problem with this, YORKIES are different and I swear, he thinks about it, he has gotten better with age, and this too is rewarded, but just most of the time, not every time.

Nancy, my little rescue, Toby, is the same way. Sometimes he'll come when called and other times he won't............the stubborn little stinker! He did really well with clicker training. I would always click and then say TREAT and give him a treat and if he wasn't close to me I'd take the treat to him. I used cheerios as they can have lots of those! He will sit, stay, and talk without the clicker now but HE picks and chooses when to "come." He learned how to talk (speak) within 1/2 hour using the clicker. It just takes time and patience. I no longer use the clicker but I bet if I were to get it out and he was in the yard and heard it click, he would come running to me for a treat.

So for those of you that are giving up on the clicker, don't. It takes time, patience and persistence.

[Karrie]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

We tried a little tonight. I conditioned the trainer and we did "LOOK". I'm afraid to give him more training treats! One of our major issues is his barking when I give commands. If I say "SIT", he'll sit while barking. Same with lay. Not quite sure how I can tackle that.

Ha - yes, that is a problem!

First, I taught Bailey that yes=treat. The simplist form is to say their name; as soon as you have the dog's attention (just a simple glance your way) then say "yes" and treat. repeat several times. Now they know that yes= treat.

Start with the easy stuff to enforce yes= treat.

However, when Bailey does not obey, then I say no, cross my arms, pause and turn away. I resume in about 10-20 secs.

In your case, he's barking because, I assume, he is excited (Bailey does that too)- but that is unacceptable. So simply say no, cross your arms and pause from the training session. Resume when he calms down. If its totally out of control - just get up, walk away and put the treats up. Session over.

We used these basics to train Bailey and we were very successful.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by diannenet

Nancy, my little rescue, Toby, is the same way. Sometimes he'll come when called and other times he won't............the stubborn little stinker! He did really well with clicker training. I would always click and then say TREAT and give him a treat and if he wasn't close to me I'd take the treat to him. I used cheerios as they can have lots of those! He will sit, stay, and talk without the clicker now but HE picks and chooses when to "come." He learned how to talk (speak) within 1/2 hour using the clicker. It just takes time and patience. I no longer use the clicker but I bet if I were to get it out and he was in the yard and heard it click, he would come running to me for a treat.

So for those of you that are giving up on the clicker, don't. It takes time, patience and persistence.

I love the name Toby, reminds me of the movie Toby Tyler, and he was a little stinker too! Cheerios are great treats, they love them, and they don't fill them up, so you can keep their attention. Joey doesn't aways come when I call his name, but if I say treat, he'll come running!

[AllDogBoots]

Originally Posted by Karrie

Ha - yes, that is a problem!

First, I taught Bailey that yes=treat. The simplist form is to say their name; as soon as you have the dog's attention (just a simple glance your way) then say "yes" and treat. repeat several times. Now they know that yes= treat.

Start with the easy stuff to enforce yes= treat.

However, when Bailey does not obey, then I say no, cross my arms, pause and turn away. I resume in about 10-20 secs.

In your case, he's barking because, I assume, he is excited (Bailey does that too)- but that is unacceptable. So simply say no, cross your arms and pause from the training session. Resume when he calms down. If its totally out of control - just get up, walk away and put the treats up. Session over.

We used these basics to train Bailey and we were very successful.

Good advice. He's very over- excited. I usually turn my back on him, but then we get back into it when he calms down. He always barks during any command.

[Karrie]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Joey doesn't aways come when I call his name, but if I say treat, he'll come running!

Sounds like Joey's new name ought to be treat?

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Karrie

Sounds like Joey's new name ought to be treat?

Ha ha, I had another dog who thought his name was "Cheese".

[YorkieMother]

Originally Posted by Karrie

We're a big fan of the clicker training too! I opted for a key word 'yes' instead of the clicker - but used the same concept. It is a wonderful training concept!

Good luck!

Yes works but it does not resound in the lizard brain as well as the metal click does so when shaping a dog that is reactive it is better to use a clicker that is like a knife through the reactive behaviour.

JL