What does everyone think of clicker training? Has anyone had any success with it?

It is supposed to be excellent if used correctly .
We did give it a go but it was a case of too many cooks ....the family were clicking for different things and therefore not using it correctly

I used it on next doors dog to stop him barking at us and jumping on the fence ( he's about 9 stone) he now sits, lies down, gets off, and stops barking when I whisper to him :D :D :D

Yup, ive used it on all my dogs, with excellent results, taught a 6 week old Dill to sit and lie down in about 5 minutes. If i put in more work, i dont doubt i could acheive a lot more though!

You do have to use it properly though, or it is as ineffective as any other training method used wrongly.

Em

Absolutely right Em.

My 1st black lab would ONLY C&T for a tennis ball (no food involved). Ash, the puppy is of a timid nature, and as you don't have to use your voice much (I tend to be a bit grouchy!!) it has been a fantastic way to train him.

One of my trainers uses it on all her dogs, own and rescue with superb results.

However as Em says if you don't get it right it will be just as ineffective as enything else.

Good luck

Julia & Hooligans

Clicker training can seem a bit pointless until you get past the initial stages and get onto some really interesting training (and it is great for teaching tricks).

Because you can get really good accuracy with it, you can use it to teach either basics or improve stuff, or high level advanced obedience etc. Mary Ray, she of the dancing dogs and winner of Crufts Obedience, started to use the clicker a few years ago and hasn't looked back.

I have found it one of the best training tools for my purposes and methods, but itwouldn't suit everyone. You do need to be shown or else get some good books. Karen Pryor has recently written one, it is a reasonably priced hardback available from Pets at Home and similar. I also recommend "QuickClicks" by Smith and Book, this was the book that really got me going :)

Lindsay