Clicker training - Page 1

Let the dog training discussions begin!

Clicker training and operant conditioning are basically the same thing.  I have learned the last few months the benefit a using the clicker to begin with, even though I had been using some operant conditioning before.  The click seems to be more quickly understood.  I've been working my one dog on postions. No pinch collar, no fur saver, no leash, just a simple nylon slip collar, some treats and a clicker. It did not take long before he understood, and was doing sit, stand, platz in any random order I asked.  Granted we have a bit of creeping to work on......  This is much more rewarding to see how quickly all of them are responding versus some of the previous training I had been instructed in.  I am also much happier using this method versus a pinch or e-collar (which I had not used nor had any plans on using).

There's definitely a lot to be said for positive training.

I've avoided the clicker for all but rescue dogs who were going to other owners, because frankly, it can be too much to shuffle in my hands.  I'm an uncoordinated guy, and frankly, the sound annoys me.

While I do correct to proof, training new commands without force is a pleasant experience for the both of us.
It makes time with my dog a LOT more enjoyable.

Me, or animules?

I would love to see some videos. I've seen some dogs who were clicker trained and while they were fast and spirited, they lacked precision and control. I am an old schooler who always felt clickers were silly, but I know there is more than one way to train a dog well.

I hope Shade won't object to my posting this: 

I was initially asking animule, but anyone's answer will do!

www.youtube.com/watch

Embedding disabled on this one.
Michael Ellis and Pi, Focused Heeling.

Animules....Not all clickers are created equal....The clicker with the metal click does not work well IMO. It is hard to tell what end to press, and if you press the wrong end, you miss the moment.....A woman that I trained with was attending a premier clicker training class, to the tune of $5,000 for the seminars. She used a clicker that had a much more tolerable sound. And it had a black button that made it easy to click....I now mark with the word" yes", that replaces the click. I too, am kind of clumsy and have a very difficult time holding on to things. Clicker, leash, ball, tug, and my glass of wine all at the same time is too much... lol..Have Fun...

                                                                                            Ruger1

I use a clicker sometimes and when I do it's with free shaping, which to me is true "clicker training".  To me, clicker training uses the +R quadrant of operant conditioning.  When I train this way I use no hardware on the dog, no leashes, no e-collar or pinch, just a clicker and the reward.  I do use other tools and other methods for various behaviors but I like to take out a clicker and freeshape behaviors here or there because I think it keeps the dog's mind sharp and keeps them "proactive" (not afraid to try new behaviors, willing to learn without needing to be lured).  Freeshaping takes a bit more time and patience initially but I find that when I train this way the dog really understands the behavior.  I use it to train complex behavior chains to make sure the dog understands every part of the behavior as we build or backchain.  The most significant "formal" behavior I've freeshaped with a clicker would be backchaining the retrieves for Schutzhund.

This is my dog retrieving over a jump, right after we just put the entire behavior together. Since then his retrieves are more polished his sit in front is better, tucks under instead of coming too close and rocking back, and he no longer gets a reward between retrieves) andd his jumping technique is better...that is something else I trained with a clicker but separately.