What are your thoughts on clicker training?

[HeaveToo]

The trainer tried clicker training with Freyja during her first visit. Freyja was TERRIFIED of the clicker noise so we canned that quick.

We were told to use a word instead. We have been using "yes" for this but I am not sure that this is ingrained with her yet.

I have some suspicions that when the trainer tried the clicker on Freyja it wasn't a good time because she was just meeting the trainer and she was fearful of the trainer. I wonder if my wife and I would have had a different response to this if we let her smell the clicker and gave her a treat, then let her stay in an area where she was comfortable and clicked and immediately gave her a treat to build it up to her. The clicker the trainer had was very loud and harsh too and I wonder if there are quieter clickers out there.

Anyway, what do you all think of clicker training? Is it really worth it or is the other method of using a trigger word as good as a clicker? Would there be any benefits to trying to get her adapted to the clicker and then using that method or would it be harmful to attempt to work the clicker in with her?

 

[musicdeb]

You will find many different opinions regarding clicker training. A few members use clicker training. Personally, I do not like clicker training because what if you're doing a training session while on a walk and you do not have the clicker?

I like the "yes" or good whatever command they did like "good sit" or "good stay." When you first start training, the motivational reward and praise is very helpful. However, after a year or so of training, you can slowly stop the motivational reward and use praise to reward a job well done.

 

[scorning]

I use both clickers and marker words, it doesn't seem to confuse my adult rescue dog. I find that the clicker is easier for shaping new behaviors, but using a marker word is more convenient for maintaining those skills. Our clicker is pretty quiet, our dog is somewhat anxious and it doesn't seem to bother her. She actually gets really excited when she sees me pull the clicker out.

 

[Glasgowdogtrainer]

The clicker is a communication tool to the dog which signals "you got that right, do more of it", rather than a method of teaching. It is invaluable in animal training as it allows us to separate the time from the behaviour occurring and the reinforcement for that behaviour.

 

[Ozzytank]

I have had 5 dogs 2 of which are bullmastiffs I never used clicker training I find positive reactions are the best way to train my bullmastiffs if your dog is scared of the clicker it will just make training an unpleasant experience so glad to hear that has been changed hope you have many hours of fun with your puppy

 

[Hector]

The dog is noise sensitive. You can muffle the clicker sound by wrapping it in a piece of fabric, a small sock, or click it against your clothes. I found the starmark clicker (blue with orange button) has a softer click than metal buttons. If she continues to have a fearful response to the clicker, you should stop using it. Maybe later on when she builds more confidence, you can reintroduce it again.

Marker training works just as well without having to carry the tool around and you have an extra hand to work with.

The important thing is charging the clicker or charging your marker word. Choose a word and be consistent with it.

You charge by feeding every time you click or say your word. Do this about 10 times in a row and then test it out. Say "yes" and see if your dog actively seeks the reward. If they don't then do more repetitions with food.

[video=youtube;ykuLZ_BBegU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykuLZ_BBegU[/video]

I use clicker training and marker training. I usually use a clicker when teaching new behavior or tricks because I just like to. I use marker on most things and sometimes just use that when my hands are full to teach something.

 

[elastigirl]

I like the concept of clicker training, but honestly it was too much trouble for me once we started using the e-collar - handling the e-collar remote, leash and clicker is too much for me, add treats in and I'm just a hot mess.

 

[Smokeycat]

I tried it and it worked for both dogs, the problem was me. I had trouble either remembering to bring it or click it at the right time.

 

[Mag-Pie]

I use clicker/marker training when teaching/shaping new behavior. It's a nice, easy way to communicate with your dog as far as what new behavior you'd like from him. But I also use many other training techniques and tools, all depending on what I'm working on with Luther and what issues I'm trying to overcome. Also, my CC has been e-collar trained which makes things very easy, but I like to mix it up and don't always rely just on the remote to communicate what I want out of him. Many videos from leerburg.com have been very helpful in training my CC also.

 

[DennasMom]

We did a LOT of clicker training with Denna, and we both LOVED it.

I think you can get Freyja to enjoy the click if, like you said, you and your wife introduce it when she's in a good, relaxed state. Show it to her, let her sniff it... give treat. Have one of you click it from another room - so the click is very faint - and treat. Bring it closer - treating every click - until she's looking forward to the click & treat. Just keep loading that clicker!

I used "Good" as our marker word. "yes" has a soft ending... which I think would make it harder to use as a marker...
To this day - Denna is 2 years 8 months old - when out walking, if I say "Good!" - Denna stops what she's doing to look at me and see what treat is coming.

She also gets happy-excited to see the clicker come out, and we hardly ever work with it anymore.

I did get one with a wrist band attachment, so you can drop it and still have it near/ready to click quickly.