Clicker Training, Yes or No?
So since the trainer she'll be going to doesn't really do the clicker thing, should I abandon that idea? I don't want to confuse the poor puppy by having her be clicked sometimes, and not others. Bah humbug. I'm so worked up over the crate training, and housetraining, and general training, and now I feel like I have no clue what to do when I get her. Just let her chill for a couple of weeks until she's old enough to attend puppy classes? (They won't take her until 10 weeks). |
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| I use the principles of clicker training, without the actual clicker tool. I don't like that you have this separate object you have to hold, and also the sound is not that pleasant to me. And a group of clickers in training sound like a flock of crickets on the loose! Instead I use a verbal marker - the work "yes!" in a quick, happy voice. My dogs learn (no matter what they are learning) that when they hear the "yes!" they have done what I want correctly. Extremely useful tool. It also translates to whatever activity we do as well. It works when they learn to sit, and when we are out on the sled or cart and I say "gee" and they turn to the right, and when they learned to stop on contacts in agility.... etc.   If I was doing these sports and had to manage a clicker, I would go bonkers! (not to mention on the dog sled with heavy mitts it would be nearly impossible.  ) |
| I use the actual clicker tool for intricate behaviors, where I am clicking super tiny/split second positions that my voice is unable to capture quick enough. Like when I started teaching a pivot, I clicked for the shifting of weight, that happened so quickly that I couldn't get out the "yes" fast enough. Another positive aspect to the clicker is that it is completely emotionless, which can help my dog from getting super excited and going over threshold, which sometimes happens if I only use verbals. That being said, I don't use the clicker for normal pet dog type things, so if it is a puppy kindergarten or beginner obedience class, I would leave the clicker at home. I never have the clicker with me when I am out and about with my dog, it's just one more thing to juggle. During those times I just use the word "yes," as it serves the same function of acting as a reward marker. One analogy that I heard and love (though I can't remember who said it) is that verbals are butter knives and clickers are scalpels. |
| I am a total clicker fan because of the precise timing it allows. That said, I now tend to use it mostly when teaching new things, not in training for things the dogs already know. I would set the clicker aside for now. You can always investigate using it down the road. I never use it in a class situation - only when working on my own. And if the sound of the clicker is too harsh for you, there are "soft" sounding clickers available now that make a big difference. No need to let your puppy "chill" until formal obedience classes. What you can teach around the home is basic manners, which are , after all, important to both you and the dog. I would work with the puppy teaching it how to take a tiny treat gently from your hand. You will be using this in class. Then I would get started on teaching the puppy to sit very, very informally. I'd put a treat up close to its nose and then slowly raise it straight up in the air a few inches which will gently encourage the puppy to shift into a sit position. You are luring the puppy at this point. And as you do this, say "sit" so you will capture the process of sitting and attach it to the verbal cue you will be using. After a few days of or a week of doing this depending on how adept you are at the luring and the timing and how focused your puppy is on you, the treat and the learning process, you will have this reliably happening. Then, once this behavior is REALLY SOLID, you slowly switch from luring with the treat to now first asking for the sit (not using the treat to lure) and REWARDING for a sit. It's a subtle difference but an important one. If you always stick to the luring part, you won't progress to where the puppy learns to do this ON ITS OWN so that you will be able to ask for the behavior, get it, and then REWARD. This will help you to set up the learning process for all things to be learned from this time on so, in effect, it can be used as a tool for LEARNING TO LEARN. Have fun with that. Keep it fun. You want the puppy to know that LEARNING IS FUN TIME and always will be fun. Don't feel overwhelmed. Things will happen at whatever pace is comfortable for you and the puppy. Don't let your expectations get ahead of you. Another thing about teach the puppy to sit early on is that you can always go back to it once it is really solid and be assured of having rewardable success with your puppy to cement your training relationship and process. I would work on communication, too. Though at first you will be potty training with the puppy on a schedule and taking it outside at frequent intervals, eventually the puppy needs to learn how to let you know if it needs to go outside to potty and you need to be tuned it to whatever subtle cues the puppy is sending. Watch your puppy to learn how it communicates happiness, confidence, boredom, fear, etc. This will all be put to good use throughout the life of your dog. You can be assured your puppy is doing the same trying to figure out your subtle communication signs! Linda Zimmerman |
| Here's my two cents as a certified clicker trainer: if your trainer uses positive reinforcement training but is not a clicker trainer, go with that. Better to use a positive reinforcement trainer who honestly admits she doesn't do clicker training than one who says she does clicker training but really does not - then you might not learn it correctly and get turned off to it. You can watch some good videos online on Youtube by "kikopup" (Emily Larlham), "supernaturalbc2008"/"supernaturalbc2-009" (Donna Hill) and "tab289." You can also refer to my articles and video on Animal Info Publications: http://animalinfo.com.au/fact_sheets/vi ... What_is_it. Also check out positive reinforcement training - not all trainers who say they use positive reinforcement training are really using positive reinforcement training: http://animalinfo.com.au/fact_sheets/vi ... t_Training Good luck! |
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