Having got two trainable puppies - a beardie and a lurcher - for the first time in many years (you don't really train deerhounds, just reach an accommodation with them :D), I was thinking of trying clicker training. I've done a search here and read a few articles on the web, but would like views from people who have actually used it.

Sharon,
Before taking my GSP to a gundog trainer she went to a normal trainer where we tried the clicker method,she never really took to it (proberly due to the fact I was forever losing the clicker or forgetting to take it training ) but the majority of the class did well with this method.........the only problem with the clicker trainer was imagine being in a large hall ( thats were we did our training ) with 10 people clicking away giving comands .....click,sit,click stay,click,sit,click stay....click....click it use to sound like a room of demented grasshoppers soon gives you a head ache.............this hasn't really been any help really has it.....I'm on a night shift and Im bored.....sorry

I've used it and found for basic training it worked well, we were told to only give one command and when the dog got it right one click so it was not that noisy at least not to start with as it can take some while for the pup to perform the required action. My only problem was that although only my youngest was clicker trained it only took the others about 15 mins to find out that when they heard the clicker titbits were about. And they can hear from some long way away. Jackie H

Hi Jackie, yes I hadn't thought of that, but it would be a problem around here. Every one of mine can hear the top being ripped off a tin of kitten food at 50 yards, and Madame and her progeny can all hear a whiskey bottle being opened (and in most cases discern the brand !) from even further away :-)

I teach the two of mine occasionally using clicker training, and there is never a problem when I'm doing the two together. I get one to do one thing, click and treat then the other. They each know their turn and their own click.

Wendy

Hi Craig, thanks. Love the idea of the demented grasshoppers :-). For reasons I'd best not go in to, I will not use the local training club but I'm going to look for one further away. The real trouble is finding a good - or even adequate - one :-(

Sharon think that what ever trainer you use you will have to adapt their method to suit you and your dogs, and you must be comfortable with the trainer who must listen to you and not just tell you. Some people are just not comfortable with some methods of training and you must be allowed to develop your own way with the help of the trainer. Good luck in your seach. Jackie H

Thanks Jackie. The problem with the local set up is even more than just not listening. If anyone knows of a really good class is SE Scotland or even NE England, I'd be willing to travel.

I'm using clicker training with Lacey. I find it good, but she is easy to train anyway. I do think the clicker is good though because all the puppies are responding very well to it, and some of them are difficult dogs.

Sharon, have you looked on the APDT site for your nearest trainer, if there is not one they may still be able to help as there are books available and you can always e-mail for advice if you are having problems. Not the same as a class I know but it would work probably as well. The KC also have the addresses or registered clubs give them a ring, may be the SKC does too. Jackie H

Hi Jackie, I'm sure some of them are very good, but I'm not the world's greatest fan of behaviourists :-(. I'm reasonably confident about training sighthounds at home, but with this pair I wanted to join a class partly because of Ben's poor socialisation, partly because I hope I might get him, and perhaps the other little lurcher to a higher standard than I get (or want!) with deerhounds/wolfhounds - and also because I'd probably enjoy meeting more doggy people myself :-)

APDT, Association of Pet Dog Trainers don't think they would describe themselves as behaviorists, whatever that means, but trainers. But as I said it is very important that you are happy and comfortable with the trainer you chose. And if you can train hounds then I don't think you need much help why not, if you can't find a suitable class take the pups to exemption & open shows not to enter just to lurk. JH

The reason why clicker training works is because most people are so poor at timing the praise! Because the click is easy to give in an instant it works! If your timing is correct you will get little out of it. I stand and watch people, even experienced working gundog people, in my class and just cannot in some cases understand what the praise they are giving is for! People who's dog has done a runner and have had to grab it by the scruff as it runs past then say, "Good boy"! Timing is the all important part of training and if a clicker helps to get that timing right then it's worth using!

Regards, John

Thanks John. I know exactly what you mean about timing, and think mine isn't too bad, but from what you say giving the clicker a go can't do any harm, and might help. I'm just naturally suspicious of doggy and other 'fads' and 'cure-alls', and thought that clicker training might be in that bracket.

A friend of mine, an experienced handler, used a clicker for the first time on her latest puppy. Last month she won two gundog working tests in two weeks! So as you say, they can't do any harm! :d

John

I know I'm just an old cynic Jackie, but I know a little about a couple of APDT members, and was not exactly impressed :-(

Thats fine but if there is a class near you you can go along and see what you think, or ask the KC for a list of clubs. After all you are the one doing the training and you need other dogs around because you have a youngster who needs socialisation so can you not ignore the trainer unless of course they are really in your face. Jackie H

HI Sharon

I am a great fan of clicker training, although interestingly i hated it for the first 3 months! Now I don't know how i would train without it - it enables the dog to really learn and to also not be afraid of doing something wrong. This is the great bit. The dog gets initiative. Once used to it all, the dog may understand words such as "try again" and will, say, if in the wrong position, then alter position to "try again". this is the reason i love it most of all :)

We are now using it for working trials training; and assistance dogs are trained this way.

As far as the APDT goes, they are Trainers: not behaviourists. I'm not sure why people do think this. Although many will probably be members of a behavioural organisation as well. /Also don't forget that all trainers vary greatly :); whatever organisation they belong to. I know of poor trainers who belong to organisations other than the APDT, so really it is a matter of maybe going along and deciding if you can get along with the individual concerned and whether you like their particular methods.......sorry I think i am repeating what someone else has already said!!! :D

Best of luck
Lindsay

I have just finished watching a video about he basics of clicker training, with a reference to their site http://www.learningaboutdogs.com. There are several videos and books which may get you started if you can't get to a class.
LynnT

Hi John, Jackie, Lindsay, Lynn. Sorry for not replying to the recent posts - for some reason replies on this thread didn't come through on e-mail. Ben the beardie hasn't been well, and my main concern with him - apart from his health! - is that he is so unsocialised with people, although he adores cats and other dogs. So he has been getting as many cuddles as he will accept, rather than any more than basic 'civil behaviour' training.

But for the last few days I've been clicking away at Finn the lurcher, who is smart as a whip, and he has certainly got the idea!

Give Ben a hug from me too!
LynnT

Sharon, Would you ( pretty please) e mail me piccie of Finn? Thank you.