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Clicker Training
One of the most common reasons that dogs are given up is due to behavior problems. Problems that most often times could have been solved by taking at least one obedience class with said dog, or just doing some basic "at home" training. Its amazing what you can accomplish through just a little bit of training. But sadly, many breeders fail to mention this to those that take those squirmy little puppies home. And surprisingly, many, MANY Veterinarians are not well versed in training/behavior. So the one source that most people would have ready reference to, may well not be giving owners the right information. *In Alabama out of the 6 to 8 years required to gain a DVM degree, students only are required to take 1-5 credit hour class iin behavior, and in my opinion, that is only about enough information to keep them from getting bitten on the job any more than they do, and in no way could begin to skim the surface of even a fraction of all the diverse behaviors that people experience with their pets* A few years ago, while still a member of the local kennel club, I was lucky to be a part of a revolutionary up-and-coming new type of training, called Clicker Training. Now the concept of clicker training is not new. Its been used for years, but the actual development of the clicker is relatively recent. What makes this type of training work so much better is the use of positive reinforcement only. There is no negative reinforcement, just no reinforcement at all for bad behavior. The trick to using it with your dog is to find the one thing *treats, tennis balls, a favorite woobie* that doing without would really make him want it back! The wonderful thing about the clicker is it is an audible one second, repeatable sound. The sound is the same every single time you use it. Where as if you used voice command only, sometimes the inflection in your voice *read emotion* sends different signals to your dog. Take for instance the fact that *heavan forbid* you lost your job that day, and through sheer will power decided that you had better not let the dog down on his evening training session. Your spirits are low, your out-of-sorts, but you decide to go on with the training session anyway. Your voice will probably not be as loud or forceful as usual, you may not be speaking as clearly to your dog, your posture may be droopy, because you are just "down". Likewise, say, you got a promotion at work today, a BIG one, and you go home to train your dog that evening, and you're perky, bouncy, happy, animated. You are sending your dog a LOT of confusing signals. The way the clicker works is like this. The clicker is a little box, with a metal tab inside *tin cricket ring a bell?*. You press down on the tab and it makes an audible "POP-POP" noise. The dog learns to associate this sound with an ensuing reward. The click is like taking a snapshot in time, and the moment your dog hears the sound, to him it means "what you are doing NOW is what I wanted you to do.............treat" Say you want to teach your dog to sit, in order to get the message across, you would wait until the instant that his bottom hit the floor, and then click. Then he gets his reward....simple as that. As a trainer, I have used this on my dogs and my rescue dogs with great success. And I have also used jerk and pull training, and believe you me....there is a world of difference. It works especially well for Scotties because it "tricks" them into thinking they have us trained instead of the other way around. They think "what can I do to make her click me, and give me a treat?" It may seem a little awkward at first. But practice makes perfect. Sit with your children, or spouse and have them touch their nose, and as soon as they do, click. The more you practice, the better you will become. It is a much more enjoyable way to train, and the possibilities are limitless. And what better way to create a lasting bond with a new rescue dog, or just have some fun with your current dogs than to do something that you both will enjoy. Bottom line: I deal with a lot of dogs, my own, and my rescues. I use it, I recommend it, and it works!!!! Try it yourself and see! |