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Old 01-24-2006, 05:42 AM   #1
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Post Clicker Training Basics

As a result of posting videos of Joey, my 7 month old Yorkie, several people PM'ed me to find out more about clicker training. I was thrilled!!! I think clicker training is absolutely wonderful and I'm happy to share what I know. If you missed it, here's a link to the short videos (you'll have to excuse my poor photography:
http://www.dropshots.com/day.php?use...cdate=20060121

PassionFruition has posted some incredible videos of Sully. Although she doesn't actually use a clicker, she uses similiar - always positive - methods.

What is Clicker Trainiing?
The main principle in clicker training is using a sound to mark the exact moment that the dog is doing what you want. The sound is then followed by a treat to reward that behavior. Why not skip the sound and just give the dog a treat? Because it's a slower response and the dog has more trouble figuring out what he did that earned the treat. Once you're "loaded the clicker" (below), the dog knows that click means "What I'm doing now - this very instant - is right!" and a treat will follow.

That's it in a nutshell!

You'll find that clicker trainers do NOT start off giving a command for a behavior. Instead, they reward that behavior - when it occurs - over and over again until the dog is freely offering it. Only then, do that start saying the cue word while the dog is performing the behavior. After many repetitions, you can then safely say the cue and expect the dog to know what it means.

You'll also find that clickertrainers don't punish incorrect responses. They usually ignore them or they might use a nonreinforcing marker like "oops" or "sorry". Mostly you just stay silent while the dog figures out what to do for those treats!

Why a clicker? The clicker has a distinctive sound and is shaped to fit easily in your hand. They are cheap and you can get them from any pet store. Many have the ability to make the sound louder or quieter depending on your preference. Some sophisticated ones even have different sounding clicks so that you can use a different sound for different dogs (like in a multiple dog household).

Can I use something else? You don't have to use a clicker. You can use any sound you choose. You can click a ballpoint pen. Or, if you're fast, you can use a distinctive word or sound. Try to choose one that the dog doesn't hear everyday. "Z" or "zoop" or other nonsense words are examples. "Good" or "yes" are confusing because the dog hears them at other times.


What to use as a treat?
Very tiny bits of dog treats or people food are best especially in the beginning. Joey is usually perfectly happy to work for bits of his kibble unless he's somewhere with alot of distractions - then I use tiny bits of cheese or leftover meat. Some people use cheerios. Whatever you use, you'll want to deduct that amount from the amount you feed the dog later. We don't want clicker trained porkies!!! Later, if you choose, you can use nonfood rewards. You can use anything the dog finds rewarding - a game of tug or fetch, for example. In dog parks, Joey's not usually interested in food. But he will work for a chance to "go sniff".

Will you always have to click and treat (CT) learned behaviors? No, definitely not! The clicker is only used for teaching new behaviors. Once the dog is doing the behavior reliably on cue, there's no need to click. If you're smart, though, you will continue to treat occasionally.

I'll write a post later on how to introduce the clicker.

Anybody have any questions?

Other clickertrainers PLEASE fill free to jump in here with advice/tips! This doesn't have to be my thread.
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Old 01-24-2006, 06:07 AM   #2
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I'll PM you...

Oh, I'll throw this question out in case anyone could help.....Sully HATES the clicker!!! He runs and hides! He really does hate that noise. I know I've already been doing treat-training with him so it might be too late to start clicker-training but I'd love to know this even if I only do clicker training for my next yorkie...?
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Old 01-24-2006, 06:11 AM   #3
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Great post FirstYorkie This describes it very well and will let members understand what "clicker training" is - a very positive approach to training. I love the video of Joey and the excitment in his eyes. He obviously enjoys this approach and it makes the bonding with you unbelievable.

Do you use the clicker training on your family
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Old 01-24-2006, 07:10 AM   #4
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Default Questions Answered

Personal note: Yes, Cindy, Joey does love it! You should see how excited he gets when I grab the clicker and say "Wanna go to Work?". It's cool. And I love to watch his mind work when he's trying to figure out what I'm "paying for" this time [ie which behavior will get a click and treat (CT)]. It is just fun.

ClickerTraining families? Actually, there are lots of articles about it on the web. I wish that I knew about it when I had small children! I would have done things differently. But, yes, even with teenagers, clickertraining has reminded me that everyone responds better to positive reinforcement than negative. Especially our families!!!

Val, looking at Sully in your video, I really don't think you need any help, but here goes. I'm glad you asked, because that was something I wanted to discuss.

What about a dog who is afraid of the clicker?
You can try muffling the clicker by putting it in your pocket or wrapping it up inside of something. You can lower the volume on specially made clickers. Or you can not use the clicker at all. Look for something else that is easy to hold and that will make a distinctive sound quickly. Or, use a word or sound as your marker.

Naturally, I think the best thing is prevention. When I first introduce a clicker, I already have a yummy treat in my hand where the dog can see it. If he's really focused on that treat, he may not even hear the click the first time or two.
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Old 01-24-2006, 07:35 AM   #5
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Default The First Step

The first step in clicker training is introducing the clicker, sometimes called "loading the clicker". This is my favorite part! So much fun for us and for the dog.

The first thing is teaching the dog that click means treat. Always. Every time. Without fail. Any time he hears that goofy noise, he gets something yummy! {Rule #1: A TREAT ALWAYS FOLLOWS THE CLICK! Even if you clicked accidentally}.

Take your pup to a quiet place with few distractions, like maybe the kitchen (with no other dogs around). Let pup see that you have a yummy treat in your hand. As you are reaching to give it to him, click with the other hand. That's it. Click then give him a treat. Repeat many times, not always doing it the same way. Regardless of what he's doing (as long as he's not doing something obnoxious!), just click and treat. Vary your body position and vary the click so that he's not always doing the same thing when he hears the click. When he starts looking for his treat as soon as you've clicked, you know you are doing it right!

Keep going. Practice with your back turned to him. Practice when he's further away from you. Leave the treats on the counter and walk to the other side of the room. Click then go get his treat. He needs to learn that treat always follow click BUT there may be a small delay between the 2.

When he stops what he's doing to come running for the treat when he hears the clicker, you have successfully completed step 1!!!

Wasn't that fun????

Here are a couple of links to articles about this first step:
http://www.clickerlessons.com/clicker.html
http://dogdigs.kaylar.com/clickertrain.htm
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Old 01-24-2006, 07:46 AM   #6
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Default TWO Commonly Asked Questions

How long does clicker training take? I don't have that much time to spend training?

Then you're going to love this! Formal clicker-training sessions really should only last about 5 minutes (10 minutes tops). Less than that if you find that your puppy loses interest. Two or three mini sessions a day is ideal. That's it. That's all it takes.

Isn't my dog going to be dependent on treats this way? Am I going to have to carry treats around with me all the time?

No and No. Once your dog has solidly learned a behavior you can wean the treats. This is commonly done by asking for twofers then threefers (ie 2 sits instead of 1 gets a treat, then 3 sits, etc) or by asking for more than 1 behavior and then treating (like sit & down). Of course, it's a good idea to occasionally reward good behavior indefinitely (but it doesn't always have to be with a treat). A behavior that is positively reinforced will increase in frequency!

You won't have to always carry treats. But, to tell you the truth, I usually do. I just never know when that little rascal is going to do something that I want to reward!
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Old 01-25-2006, 02:37 AM   #7
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Default Reading Material

A great first book on clicker training is:
Click for Joy by Melissa Alexander

There are tons of websites devoted to it. Here are a few of my favorites:
http://www.clickerlessons.com/lessons.html
http://www.clickertraining.com/training/clicker_basics/
http://www.dragonflyllama.com/%20DOG...evelsBook.html
www.clickersolutions.com

The last is especially good for using positive training to deal with problem problems.

Happy Reading!
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Old 01-25-2006, 02:52 AM   #8
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I'm doing clicker training with bunjee too. he's getting it... slowly but surely. I hope he's as good as Joey by the time he's 7 months old!!!

just curious to know, how often are you training with joey on a daily basis?
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Old 01-25-2006, 04:04 AM   #9
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Thanks I can't wait until the weekend to buy a clicker!! I would be pround if my three were 1/2 as smart as Joey!!!
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Old 01-25-2006, 08:39 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hunniebunnie
...just curious to know, how often are you training with joey on a daily basis?
Not nearly as much as I should! I'm lucky if I do -say- 7 sessions a week, lasting 5 - 10 minutes each in duration. When he was younger, I was better. I probably averaged 2 short sessions daily at first.
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Old 01-25-2006, 01:15 PM   #11
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Question

I have a Clicker trainer who comes to my home once a week to train my dogs

so far i think he is garbage

if my 2 stretch this guy thinks thats awesome & clicks saying good boy

My 2 stretch constantly........i dont think its a behaviour thing

I bought a Clicker when i was on holiday in Scotland......maybe someone can help me more on this forum
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Old 01-25-2006, 06:30 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by i_love_my_yorki
I have a Clicker trainer who comes to my home once a week to train my dogs

so far i think he is garbage

if my 2 stretch this guy thinks thats awesome & clicks saying good boy

My 2 stretch constantly........i dont think its a behaviour thing

I bought a Clicker when i was on holiday in Scotland......maybe someone can help me more on this forum
Well I go read Click for Joy and maybe let the clicker trainer go. Sounds like he not helping at this time.
I read through the posts above as Cindy was explained it well.

Joy

Last edited by Yorkie Mum; 01-25-2006 at 06:33 PM.
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Old 01-25-2006, 06:33 PM   #13
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What I like about clicker it turns on a dogs mind and for sour or fearful dogs it can make it fun to learn.
You can train an aggressive dog at a nice distance. Click and toss in a treat and keep the teeth away form you.

Joy
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Old 01-26-2006, 07:46 AM   #14
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Default Clicker training

Is it too late to train CoCo? She is now 7 months, she does not behave. I took her to training at pet smart but it was only one other dog in her class and the trainer would always cancel or reschedule. By that time she would forget I guess. She is potty trained but she does not obey orders. Help!!!!!!!!!!! My fiance' is very upset. He wants her to be disciplined. I've tried everything. I bought a clicker. I'm going to try that starting this weekend. What do you think? Joey is so well behaved.
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Old 01-26-2006, 09:53 AM   #15
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Definitely, it's not too late for Coco!!! I bet she would love it. You might also give obedience classes another try - they really are fun.

Shoot! Joey's not always well-behaved. He's still a dog.
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