Clicker Training 101 (Please!!)

[mbfrench]

I use clicker training some with Diva. But I am not a purist in that I don't use the clicker to only capture behavior and shape(I do this) but to mark behaviors in place of yes. I do use luring too. Opposition reflex to build drive. I do use NRM for feedback. I just don't use physical manipulation to teach my behaviors anymore and no more guiding to correct. I guess I am a behaviorist who uses all principles of the learning theroy but lean heavy to the reenforcement side so I don't have to ever punish/correct(I hate the word punish- it just refers to apply or remove something that decreases the chance the behavior occurs again not something always harsh or physical). It is a great tool in my bag of teaching tricks. I don't believe in doing anything unless I know why and how it relates to the learning theroy. Because we have always done it this way doesn't work with me.

I'm with you on this.I'm quite pleased with the training of clicker usage.

 

[Goggle]

I have been doing alot of reading about clicker training and have learnt alot (just finished Karen Pryor's Reaching The Animal Mind). Domino and I are really enjoying learning together!

One of the things that is mentioned in the book is poisoned cues. I am again having problems with Domino's sit. He doesn't sit when I cue him unless I have the clicker, however he now sits when my boyfriend cues him (without the clicker). Is it possible for a cue to be poisoned BUT just when coming from a particular person. I am thinking that it is quite possible that I have poisoned the cue with all the butt tapping and standing over him that I was doing before.

Or could it be that he now sees the clicker as his gateway to a reward when he's with me and without it he knows he isn't getting rewarded? I do try to reward when he listens to a cue without the clicker but it tends to be more of a verbal reward or a pet.

So, obviously it is hard for anyone to guess at the real problem without being here but do you guys think I should try teaching him a new cue for sit or work on hiding the clicker and rewarding more when we are not using it? Or is there something that I am missing?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Toffee's Mom]

I have been doing alot of reading about clicker training and have learnt alot (just finished Karen Pryor's Reaching The Animal Mind). Domino and I are really enjoying learning together!

One of the things that is mentioned in the book is poisoned cues. I am again having problems with Domino's sit. He doesn't sit when I cue him unless I have the clicker, however he now sits when my boyfriend cues him (without the clicker). Is it possible for a cue to be poisoned BUT just when coming from a particular person. I am thinking that it is quite possible that I have poisoned the cue with all the butt tapping and standing over him that I was doing before.

Or could it be that he now sees the clicker as his gateway to a reward when he's with me and without it he knows he isn't getting rewarded? I do try to reward when he listens to a cue without the clicker but it tends to be more of a verbal reward or a pet.

So, obviously it is hard for anyone to guess at the real problem without being here but do you guys think I should try teaching him a new cue for sit or work on hiding the clicker and rewarding more when we are not using it? Or is there something that I am missing?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Yes, new queue!
imho... nothing lost... by trying it with a new one! The b/f being able to do it without clicker (smart devils, know when u have it on ya... LOL) is kinda a clue that it could have been the butt tapping, intimidation stance that maybe still makes him a lil nervous around you saying sit... Wow... what could be a verbal command for sit.. good luck finding one let me know what you did!!


MMM has a good little sit when Jan tells him to 'come'... speaking of poisoned queues, LOL

 

[Goggle]

Lol...I have been wracking my brains trying to think of a new cue for sit! My b/f is Arab so I am thinking maybe the Arab word for sit (not sure yet what is is though) or Rest could work...I don't think that I would want to use that for anything else.

Will let you know what I eventually decide on!

And thanks for all the help

 

[Toffee's Mom]

ohhhh
those are great alternatives!! You're so smart! Make sure you can pronounce the arab version of sit, hahahaha
or how about a handsignal... I have used handsignals with every command.. so just don't say sit but palm upward motion is sit, for example

 

[Goggle]

ohhhh
those are great alternatives!! You're so smart! Make sure you can pronounce the arab version of sit, hahahaha
or how about a handsignal... I have used handsignals with every command.. so just don't say sit but palm upward motion is sit, for example

More than likely I will not be able to even attempt ot pronouce it so I will probably go for "Rest".

We already use the hand signal in combination with the voice cue so I think I will have to scrap that one as well

 

[Justicemom]

Lol...I have been wracking my brains trying to think of a new cue for sit! My b/f is Arab so I am thinking maybe the Arab word for sit (not sure yet what is is though) or Rest could work...I don't think that I would want to use that for anything else.

Will let you know what I eventually decide on!

And thanks for all the help

My roomate in school had a rescued racing Greyhound who she taught to sit using the word "relax". They do unspeakable things to Greyhounds to teach them not to sit at the start lines of races. Changed the word and "Bingo" perfect sits.

 

[jerros]

The hardest part of "clicker training" is getting the timing down. In my opinion it's valuable to have someone who knows how to clicker train around to critique you and tell you if your doing things right or wrong. It's probably the one thing I thought the puppy class I took was very good for.

Other than that there are a couple of books I've heard good things about. One is "Clicking with your dog" and another is called "fifty one puppy tricks". The puppy tricks book gets a little crazy towards the end, but the step by step picture instructions are very good.

 

[romeosangiovese]

Hmm. I'm not sure if it is a true poisoned cue coz your bf can do it so it must still be working! I think perhaps you need to fade out the clicker so that your dog knows that he has to do whatever you tell him to even if you don't have clicker/treats, and that he WILL still be rewarded some way or other after he does it. I use the clicker to train the behaviour then I don't use it anymore when they know how to do it (only once in a while if I have it with me). You don't want the clicker to be the indicator for him to work - ie. dog sees clicker = pay attention and do what mum says; dog sees no clicker = ignore mum. Also try to train all the time, as in, not just formal sessions at 7pm every day. You can integrate training into everyday life so your dog never knows when to expect the opportunity to earn a treat.

You can still treat with food without clicking. Don't forget to say "good dog" when you give treats to create that association between the words "good dog" and food, else they will have little value and it's not much of a reward to the dog at all.

The best languages to use for alternative cues are those with tons of consonants (so says Ian Dunbar) but avoid German as that's used alot in Schutzhund training. I'm using Italian!

 

[Goggle]

Hmm. I'm not sure if it is a true poisoned cue coz your bf can do it so it must still be working! I think perhaps you need to fade out the clicker so that your dog knows that he has to do whatever you tell him to even if you don't have clicker/treats, and that he WILL still be rewarded some way or other after he does it. I use the clicker to train the behaviour then I don't use it anymore when they know how to do it (only once in a while if I have it with me). You don't want the clicker to be the indicator for him to work - ie. dog sees clicker = pay attention and do what mum says; dog sees no clicker = ignore mum. Also try to train all the time, as in, not just formal sessions at 7pm every day. You can integrate training into everyday life so your dog never knows when to expect the opportunity to earn a treat.

You can still treat with food without clicking. Don't forget to say "good dog" when you give treats to create that association between the words "good dog" and food, else they will have little value and it's not much of a reward to the dog at all.

The best languages to use for alternative cues are those with tons of consonants (so says Ian Dunbar) but avoid German as that's used alot in Schutzhund training. I'm using Italian!

I thought this might be the problem but it is only the Sit that we are having problems with - he is more than happy to lie down, come, jump up or off when I don't have the clicker. I do incorporate training into every day situations but I think I will also try to randomly treat as you suggested instead of solely relying on verbal or physical praise.

I can't really figure it out and I agree...I wasn't sure if it was a true poisoned cue but I guess there can be now harm in re-training with a different cue.

My roomate in school had a rescued racing Greyhound who she taught to sit using the word "relax". They do unspeakable things to Greyhounds to teach them not to sit at the start lines of races. Changed the word and "Bingo" perfect sits.

Thanks for this suggestion - it sounds better than rest but is along the same lines. I haven't started re-training yet so I think I may use this (I tried the Arabic and couldn't pronounce it so no luck there!!)