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Click-and-treat, click-and-treat
Train 'em right --- a high priority category to ensure
an easy going relationship.
Wouldn't it be great to have a blast, develop a close
bond, develop deep understanding, and create a loving relationship
while training your dog? It is possible through operant
conditioning or popularly known as; positive reinforcement.
You don't need to use pain to have a well trained
dog!
Positive reinforcement methods have been documented,
tested and refined for pet owners as "clicker
training". These training methods were developed
from the training of dolphins. Traditional training methods
do
not work
on
these happy-go-lucky
creatures. "You cannot use a leash or a bridle or
even your fist on an animal that just swims away. Positive
reinforcers---primarily a bucket of fish---were the only
tools we had." (Karen Pryor, Don't Shoot the Dog!)
Also, clicker training helps maintain the high spirits
required for putting on such an exciting show!
A whistle is used for Dolphins, a clicker (or spoken word/sound)
for hearing pets, and, when working with a deaf pet, a
light or a vibrating collar can be used.
Train yourself first! Clicker training requires a little
know-how before you start. Karen Pryor's Clicker Training
Startup Kit is a short, easy to read introduction book
(comes with clicker) you should read before attempting
anything with your pet.
When signing up for puppy kindergarten or obedience classes,
do your research to see if they offer operant conditioning.
Drop out of any class that makes you feel uncomfortable
with the methods they are using. It is worth losing a few
bucks (the class fee) to make sure you get the best. Go
to Clickertraining.com to find a "Clicker Trainer" in
your area.
Clicker training can produce a problem solving dog, instead
of a problem causing dog!
Recommended reads:
I personally recommend the following books:
Clicker Training for Dogs by Karen Pryor
Karen Pryor's Clicker Training Startup Kit by Karen Pryor
The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson (my favorite by far!)
Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor
Haven't read these yet, but they are highly recommended
by many:
Clicker Training Cookbook with Training Schedule - 2 Book
Set by Shirley Chong
Dogs are from Neptune by Jean Donaldson
On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas
New Knowledge of Dog Behavior by Clarence Pfaffenberger
Bones Would Rain From the Sky: Deepening Our Relationships
with Dogs by Suzanne Clothier
The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell
Recommended e-reads:
www.clickersolutions.com
www.clickertraining.com
www.shirleychong.com
Recommended products:
Wrist-o-click A clicker and whistle attached to a plastic
stretchy bracelet. Very handy!
Retract-o-click Attach to waistband, belt loop, pocket
or jacket. Retractable holder has a 30-inch nylon cord
and comes with the clicker already attached so you are
ready to start clicking. Pull the clicker out when you
need it and let it retract when you are done.
Target Stick A four-fold target stick, with kit including
a belt holster, Redi-click finger clicker, and instruction
booklet.
What should I train my pup to do first?
I feel one of the best behaviors to train first is how
to take a treat without biting the hand that feeds them!
Train this as a separate behavior, not at the same time
as, "sit," for example.
Hold a wonderful treat in your closed hand, finger side
down. Tell the pup "gentle" and hold your hand
(with treat in it) towards the pup at their eye level.
The pup will probably bite and/or lick your hand---let
'em with no corrections (ouch!). IMMEDIATELY when the pup
stops biting/licking, turn your hand over and give the
treat. If you are using operant conditioning, click (or
use a marker word such as "YESSSS") at the very
instant they stop biting/licking. Once s/he gets the idea,
you can lengthen the time s/he needs to wait for the treat.
It took 2 or 3 times for Roxy to get the idea and she
is extremely food driven.
Below is a quote from the ClickerSolutions web site which
sums it all up!
This should be everyone's goal:
"Effective training without pain and fear." ---Amen!
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