Forums

<backlink>This thread is a discussion about Intro & equipment for dog clicker training video.</backlink>

When
Taz started his basic training we used the clicker method and then when we moved to a different club they didn't use them, and when i used mine they said it distracted the other dogs! Anyway he is past that now and he responds to hand, verbal cues, and body language cues but to this day if I want him to learn a new command out comes the clicker. Recently we went right back to basics because he had suddenly started distracting in the down stay and he focussed completely on the clicker because he knows he will get his favourite treat (chicken bit), and within 2 weeks of 'retraining' he is back to letting the cat walk in front of him without even flinching from that down stay.

Such a simple invention that makes such a BIG impact.

Clicker training really is a very effective method for many dogs, the clicker makes it so much easier for them to understand what we are trying to communicate to them.

I started training Taj (now 6.5 months old) with a clicker, but I found that I needed to have him respond to my voice as well (often didn't have the clicker and treats on me during non-training times) so I introduced verbal markers (not just verbal cues) as well, especially for training new behaviours and this seemed to ease the frustration he was starting to experience with free shaping new behaviours with the clicker. I think his frustration was based on a) his willingness to please me and his understanding that he wasn't doing what I actually wanted him to do and b) his Border Collie need/compulsion for precision and accuracy!

I still use the clicker, but not quite in the same was as before, and it seems to be working for us, at least for the moment!

Michelle

Now having trained a dog through to UD level I find the clicker exceedingly valuable when asking for precision behaviours however I think a bridge word is more than adequate for use in teaching manners behaviours where the same level of precision isn't required.

Sally