Can anyone explain what clicker training is exactly and is it benficial ?
Lel

Someone posted a similar question earlier :) , but basically clicker training is a type of training based on conditioning the dog to the sound of the click, and using this as a marker for the exact second the dog does the correct thing. The dog then gets a reward and eventually when the dog understands the behaviour required, a vocal cue is added.

The dog is never told off, but is "shaped" and allowed to work out what is wanted. AS an example, I used the clicker to shape the start of a Sendaway to a hedge. I taught, touch stick, then send to stick, then send to stick in hedge, then just send to hedge. It was all easy with a clicker :)

I then started to "up the criteria" and wanted more accuracy. So sent her out, and she lay down - but I waited her out, and she thought a bit, then offered me a down nearer the hedge.. She then got the click so she knew what was required was for her to get closer to the hedge, etc.

I don't know if i am explaining this very well, but I feel it is a very effective method of communication. The dogs love the training and there is absolutely no stress involved for owner or dog. Like any training it may go wrong but then it is up to the trainer to work out what is required, and to communicate this to the dog.

If the dog gets things wrong, and gains experience of this type of training, the trainer can use words such as "Wrong" or "try again" and the dog will respond accordingly :)

It can sound a bit off putting and when i started i didn't like it, and couldnt see the point But i just needed to practice a bit more and to realise the benefits.

Anyway hth a bit

Lindsay

Me too Lindsay found it cumbersome at first but went on a course and I love it now so does Cava
Anne

Glad Cava enjoys it - and you too of course!!! It does help to go on a course and to learn, and also I find books very helpful to explain what is actually going on for the dog :)

I went to a training class to start to get the hang of it, and carried on from there.

Lindsay

There isn't a class near enough us:-( so I've joined a group which gives you something new to teach every 2 weeks and you can email to discuss progress.
Anne

That sounds interesting - can you let us know the address for these classes, I really need something to 'aim' at with Missy's clicker training (which she adores BTW) and this sounds ideal :-)

Fran

Sure Fran,
This is the one with the tasks ClickerSupport and this is the other one ClickerSolutions
Anne

Many thanks Anne, amazing how many clicker training groups there are on Yahoo now I've gone and looked ;-)

Anne where will I get the clicker and info or books.

What is the approx cost?

Thanks

Pam

Pam,
See Kelly and borrow my video and book I can't remember if I gave her a clicker or if she had one already but I can easily give you one I have one in every room :-D
So to begin with you can start for nowt! If you like it books are from cheapish up and videos are the usual doggy video prices. A good site is Here
Have fun
Anne

Thanks very Anne,

I will ask her, I was going to give her my Barfy/raw books to read and some other Doggy books I had so I can do a trade with her :-). for a few weeks.

Do you find this is suitable for them even when you are showing etc, Please excuse my ignorance as I have little knowledge of the clicker theory at all.

Thanks.

Pam

Pam,
Yes, the course I went on was taken by Kay Laurence who has Gordon Setters and she covered show training. If you and dog take to it you can teach pretty much anything you want.
Anne

This may be really obvious to everyone else but what is the point of the clicker? I had a friend who thought it was great so off I went to buy one. I starting using it but just couldn't see the point!!! If I ask my dog to sit she sits and I give her a treat and tell her thats great so surely she knows she has done the right thing so why click???
Sorry but have been wondering for a while and had to ask.

Hi Jewel,
The clicker can be used to mark the correct behaviour so that the dog almost teaches itsself. I taught Cava to do a sendaway without saying a word just put a mat on floor and clicked first when he looked at it, then when he moved towards it, sniffed it, stood on it, sat on it lay on it. Once the dog knows the excercise then you put in cue/command. It really is fascinating to watch, but not everyone will get on with it or like it and that's fine.
Anne