Clicker Training?

[Tgirl]

I was just wondering if anyone has used clickers in their training? I have trained various dogs over the years but haven't ever used one. My little girl seems either more stubborn or distracted than any I have worked with so I am looking for just the right thing to help us. It's like she will totally ignore me sometimes when I'm trying to work with her. I can't tell if she is distracted or ignoring me on purpose. Really hard to read, which is odd to me. She isn't too crazy about any treat, or toy so it's hard for me to find something she just can't resist to help me keep her attention. I may have to make some treats of my own to really get her undivided attention. With larger dogs, once I knew they knew a command in the situation I was working in, I would just give a quick snap with the collar if I was ignored but I don't want to do that with her because of the issues Frenchies have so I'm totally lost. I think I am signing up for an obedience class with her that starts mid September. Maybe they can shed some light for me. Anyway, I'm impatient so I was thinking about getting a clicker and start with that now. Thing is, I'm also a bit confused about that too because I thought you clicked it right when the desired behavior was performed instead of voice and everything else was pretty much the same. The more I read about it, it's pretty different. You click the behavior for a while then add the cue once they learn to do the behavior. I understand that but it just seems strange to me. I'd like anyone's input who knows anything about it. Thanks!

 

[2bullymama]

I never used the clicker.... but with Banks I used small pieces of dried liver treats - it worked like a charm

 

[Tgirl]

I was thinking of making some dehydrated liver treats myself. The clicker goes along with treats. It's used to signal when the exact thing is done that you wanted done...if that makes sense. Then you immediately treat. That's what it sounded like to me anyway.

 

[Squishy Walnuts]

That's what Wally's trainer told us. Click when they do something right and then immediately give a treat. I haven't tried it myself. Maybe I should have and saved myself a lot of frustration with teaching him to heel.

 

[Chiana]

I have no experience in clicker training either, but based on experiences of others it seems quite effective once they get the hang of it.
Don't know if it works well for these stubborn frenchies though, but I'm sure clicker is worth while to give it a go.

Sometimes I feel like Mo's ears are just ornaments. He isn't food driven either if he is not into something he actually wants to do.

 

[Jakeyjake]

We are currently working with a trainer and we initially started with some clicker training but then dropped it. I wasn't used to it and it seemed just as easy to use voice praise and treats. I have had a few issues with Jake staying motivated for a full hour, so I usually need to have a really stinky, special treat that gets his attention like freeze dried salmon. If you can find something that she goes absolutely crazy over, use it only when you are training. I don't think dogs necessarily "ignore" you, but rather they are trying to figure out what it is that you want of them. Sometimes when mine get stuck and don't do what we are lookin for, then we "release" them and start over. Jake usually lasts for about 45 mins. and then will literally walk away and go lay down somewhere, like I'm done. The down command is going slow and when I give the command to Stella she will look down, but won't lay down. With Jake he has started setting his head down on his bed, but will not fully lay his body down without being lured with a treat. It's hilarious. You can just see the wheels turning in their little brains. It does take a lot of patience and it goes pretty slow, but Jake jumps up on people when they come over and so the goal is to get him to "go to his spot" and calm down before he gets any attention. Stella on the other hand is so high energy, and so fearful of everything, I thought some training would help me be a better leader and build her confidence.

 

[blushy]

I use mini marshmallows as rewards for obedience. They go CRAZY. And I learned about them from Isabelle's breeder. Our vet approves. Since it's not very many. Probably max 7-8 per frenchie every few days or so, since I use just the commands and petting as a reward inbetween. They don't always need a treat from me to sit or lay. Bratty dogs LOL

 

[Tgirl]

She's so picky about treats, it's unreal. I can find something she likes I'm sure. It's just the clicker I was curious about. I think I will make a trip to Petco this weekend and see if they have one. I'll give it a go. I talked to the people at the school I am going to take her to and they said some people use clickers and some just their voice. They said I could do whichever and they will work with me. Like I mentioned, I have trained a number of dogs through advance obedience, and some retrieve. It's been years though and those dogs were so excited to learn that it was pretty easy. Twiggy is like "eh whatever" LOL. I just need someone more knowledgeable to tell me how to get through to this cutie. I'm gonna make it happen one way or another. I'm determined she's going to learn and enjoy learning before I'm done with her.

 

[mmclean]

I took Radar to all the obedience classes and didn't use a clicker. He's stubborn but did learn and we continue to practice so he doesn't forget. I still get those times when he's conveniently deaf but he goes completely crazy for Orijen treats (pure puppy crack) and then he suddenly does what I asked. Voice and hand signals work for us. I didn't want to be in a situation where I didn't have it handy and couldn't get Radar to mind.


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[Tgirl]

You still give a cue (voice or hand) while clicker training from what I understand. The click is used to show the exact moment when they are doing what you ask. Once they know the command, they do it when you ask. The clicker isn't a cue so it shouldn't matter if you have it or not really. If they know it, and have been trained to do it wherever under whatever distraction they should do it when asked. You only use the clicker once they have done what you asked.

 

[Tgirl]

I haven't gotten the clicker yet, but we have been working on sit and starting to add down also. She does it well here in the house, but when I took her to work it was not good. Then yesterday she did better at work, but not great. Today she was fantastic!! She sat every time I asked everywhere I asked. She was even sitting for me while a dog she didn't even know (who was loose in the clinic) ran up and started sniffing her. She totally ignored him until I released her. It was great. I was SO proud of her. So, something else exciting is that dog became her friend (he belongs to a coworker) and they played and played! She had a great time this week going to work. We have a couple hours down time during lunch and let them run free in the clinic. She gets to meet dogs, cats, and people. We have tons of toys and plenty of room for play. I am really glad I agreed to work all this extra time for someone. Once I found out I was getting her, I was wishing I hadn't agreed to work because I wanted her to settle into our routine at home first. It worked out great though!

 

[blushy]

Glad to see she is catching on quickly and also making friends! That's awesome!