| Why I Like Clicker Training | |
| Copyright © Denise 2003, all rights reserved |
Why I Like Clicker Training
Have you ever wondered how the professionals trained elephants and dolphins? To me, the task of training these animals seemed impossible. Then I was introduced to clicker training. Clickers are devices that help the trainer mark a positive movement, behavior, or position. A clicker is a tool, like a lead or collar. It helps us to communicate our wishes with our dog. Just as each person has a preferred type of lead or collar, some trainers prefer clickers.
Are clickers a magical device that hypnotizes a dog into zombie ready to do our will? Of course not. Clickers are inexpensive and their simplicity makes them a popular choice. However, they are not the only type or marking device available.
Clickers allow almost surgical precision in marking a desired response. I did shape Rory into "roll over" in one week's time when she was an 11-week-old pup. I dropped the clicker for lack of knowing what to do next. I also felt very uncoordinated with it. Yet, I can't help but wonder what would have happened had I not been willing to go back to Clicker 101 and attention training.
For my training of Rory, the clicker has opened up a wonderful world of communication. I remember asking at the graduation games from PK, whether being distracted or denial would be considered two different behaviors before entering a particular game. My dog and I were struggling to work together. JRT's were bred to go into a fox den and tell the fox that the men on horses and the dogs with longer legs were less fearsome than this little dog that was in its face. So being independent is a true trait of this breed. Still, she was young and needed guidance. I couldn't be more stubborn than she could - and that is a real accomplishment. I couldn't force her to comply - at least not willing to comply. Therefore, I tried repeatedly to find a way to be more exciting than spit on the sidewalk. It didn't work.
Attention training as it is known in the clicker world is also called dependency training in other areas of training. No matter the name, me feeding my dog after gaining her attention totally changed our relationship. I am very important to my dog and I gained a deeper level of trust with her. It not just that she will do her tricks for food. She relies on me for her basic needs. I supply these needs without asking for more than her attention. She is happy to comply.
When I started over on trying to teach her to walk with me, Rory was a happy student. I am sincere when I say that when I would ask her to make eye contact with me and she wagged her tail, I was thrilled. It was a time to call my husband, Gloria, and anyone else I thought I could get to listen. A happy dog in a heel position was a brand new experience for me.
What do I use the clicker for now? I still warm up with attention exercises at the start of agility class. Then I use the clicker for each time she weaves or when she waits with two feet on and two feet off the dog walk. I have found that Rory gets excited when I pick up a clicker. She wants to train with me now. Clicking makes a wonderful difference for us.
I also use a clicker to over come some "prey drive" behaviors ( e.g. barking at anything that moves)by going back to attention training, Rory seems to understand that I want her to not bark at whatever is attracting her by this simple bit of work.
My favorite, but least useful clicker training is for tricks. JRT's are clowns and mine seems to love doing things that make me chuckle. She is saying her name "Ah-ro-rah!) and since she play bows whenever I am using the facilities, I keep a training stash to click that bow and link "Take a bow" to that volunteered behavior.
All in all, my dog and I are a happy couple. We may not win awards, but we are good for each other.
~ Denise
About the Authour
I live in Cincinnati with my son, my husband and Rory, the wonder dog. I am a neophyte in the world of dog training but, I have put many hours into my relationship with my dog. My goal is to get the dog doing her stupid pet tricks well enough to be on David Letterman. In my spare time I keep house and think of other useless but fun tricks to train. I am looking forward to my husband completing his college work so I can work on training for agility again.
