Clicker training - Page 4

There was a website that I found about a year ago on clicker training that was pretty detailed and gave the steps for breaking down the exercises.  I looked last night and couldn't find it.  When I was in Texas, YellowRose had a magazine I was reading that had very detailed steps for clicker and I never finished reading it, basically the whole mag was devoted to clicker.  You may want to ask her if she still has it and she may be able to tell you the name.  If so, maybe you could find a copy?  Actually, I'd like to know myself and possibly find it, you've gotten me intrigued once again!   Still looking for those clickers, didn't find them.  Been busy with the three dogs though.

 All training methods are only as effective as the people using and understanding them. How far you want to push it as far as accuracy is totally up to the handler.
I have trained every possible way. Studied it for years. Since I have added shaping, about 10 years ago was my first exposure to it and it took a few years after that to really put it into my program, it has opened up a totally different aspect of training. 
I love this thread!

Travels, if you do not find your clickers I will send a couple new ones to you.......

Oh, not a big deal animules, they're only a buck at PetSmart.  Thanks though, that was nice of you to offer!

There's boatloads of information online about clicker training.  This is a little video I saw online showing how you use a clicker for shaping behaviors, specifically a certain head position, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKIFpwE2kQg

It's one tool, it's one type of method.  It can be good for shaping behaviors and it's good for encouraging learning in puppies, too.  The dog is working for food.  Not for you, not because he has to listen, but for food on his own terms, and performance may relate to the desire of the reward, so if it's not something the dog is super motivated for or there's other distraction, you're gonna have a tough time.  It's not going to work out as the sole method with most dogs and it's not going to solve certain behavior issues, and it may get your dog conditioned to perform certain tasks or compete in some obedience but it won't get a dog totally trained.  To be a "trained" dog, to have that title, it must understand a correction.  It doesn't have to get a lot of correction, but it has to understand what a correction means, accept a correction, and know how to avoid it in order to get reward.

A lot of people ask why use a clicker when I can use my voice.  They have a point, because a clicker and treats and a leash is a lot to hold in your hand, but it can be useful.  A dog hears your voice all day long, but the sound of a click is very clear and is loaded (meaning classically conditioned) to only 1 thing: food.  Think of the click as a promise to the dog that he will get the treat.  Where as your voice serves a lot of purposes, and can change in tone depending on the day and time or if you're stressed.  Clicker is always the same volume and has no tone.  The second reason is the instant timing.  The third reason is that pet owners tend to not praise their dog enough for the right things, and a clicker is easier to press than constantly praising and talking for some people.

I have the opposite problem, SHUTTING UP!  lol

bump

Look for instructional DVD series in Late 2010 early 2011 on clicker training with sport dogs.  Covers Sch/IPO, Ringsports and AKC OB.      OB, Protection and Tracking

DVDs by Dave Kroyer and Canine Training Systems

www.davekroyer.com

Dave

Dave,
Is there any chance you could post some samples of what to expect on youtube?  Bits and pieces, not long segments.

I have some very short clips of some puppy work.....i am traveling now but when I get home I can post a few. Dave