The Truth About Clicker Training

[@shatteringglass]

I use whatever method works for my dogs. I compete/train in AKC obedience, & have had much success starting my new Dal pup at 8 weeks with marker training and food reward. He is now 8 months and we are more "fine tuning" everything. I only use the clicker to teach a new behavior, once he knows it, its gone. I am transfering his rewards to tug games more than food now and am introducing the remote collar for clearer communication and distance training, and most importantly, a SOLID RECALL!

[@musicofnote1]

You're right, it's great for tricks -a couple of the "tricks" my dog (16 months) learned with clicker 1) sit 2) down 3) stop 4) quiet 5) heel (neither pulling nor falling behind) 6) greet guests calmly 7) wait 8) go to box 9) do not bite 10) stay inside (when the door is open) 11) look at me 12) stop at curb 13) no (meaning stop that) 14) dog dancing tricks (about 4 dozen at the moment) 15) bird retrieving Whoops ... are tricks 1 -13 above tricks or behaviors? hmmm

[@musicofnote1]

Some misconceptions about clicker: 1) click and reward with food: Food can be one kind of reward. Another is play. Or affection. I use both food or play according to situation 2) Always click? No. The clicker/reward is a marker for the correct behavior during the learning phase. When used 1-click=1-reward. I use vocal feedback also such as "good" or "super". I do not use just the clicker. I also simply use the word "click" to mark the required behavior.

[@musicofnote1]

Pt. 2 3) No corrections? Of course, but ... one type of correction is simply not to click/reward. when the dog is accustomed to hearing the click-getting the reward and does something that doesn't initiate it, he/she will try "something else". One form of learning is using food to lure a behavior, then clicking when it's actually done properly. another is to set the situation where the dog will do the required behavior by itself and click when ti discovers it by itself.

[@rivamist]

I have done obedience and from the dogs point of view they are learning actions that you associate with words, not different from a trick at all from the dog's point of view There is also a difference between a reward and a bribe, Clicker training does no undermine any relationship, it makes communication much clearer and therefore improves the relationship IMO of course

[@musicofnote1]

Part 3 The methodology is not flawed. If it is applied improperly, then the application can be flawed. Now I'm not saying it's optimal for all "problems", but it is now general the wrong method for behavioral modification. And clicker train also includes a signal for improper behavior: no click/no reward.

[@musicofnote1]

Pt 3 ... But no pushing, shoving, yelling, etc. And do not teach life-critical behaviors in life-critical situations. Introduce them in secure, distraction-free environments and only move them to "real" situations when the dog has mastered the concept. Stopping at the curb is such a behavior.

[@jimlupi]

while I agree with a lot of what you say. I would also say it depends on the dog and trainer. I know of people that have used the "clicker methodoligy" for ob and BM with results that rival anyones.

[@cam_only_dave]

CORRECT!AMEN TO YOU!

[@michaelburkey]

if you don't believe in food as a reward for "teaching" obedience skills why do you use it and a clicker for teaching tricks?

[@thistlemiss]

I strongly disagree with the statements in this video. If Clicker Training is only for cute tricks, why then are Guide Dogs for the blind now being trained with clickers? One error and someone could be dead...But they are finding that dogs trained primarily with positive reinforcement are much more reliable and accurate. Guide dogs were traditionally trained with corrections for many years. Why change if clicker were not better?

[@configured]

The problem i see with "Dog Problems" is they create some of the problems. Click Treat works all phasis. Click treat is not a permenant thing. It is a tool for training & correction. You phase it out. It gets the dog to think for themself. IF done properly you don't need slip collars (some use as chockers), spike collars nor zap collars/treatments. It's about like smacking them with a rose-bush. There is more to it than you are showing. There is something there you are missing. More research.

[@Sabot46290]

Tricks are not obedience. Tricks will not keep my dog from chasing a rabbit into the road and getting hit by a car. Tricks amuse people...obedience saves my dog's life.

[@NSDTR1]

first of all i think you are misunderstanding clicker trainers - we do still use corrections just not harsh. We use negative reinforcement - taking away something the dog wants at that moment. This is in fact a correction in the dog's mind. No different then me taking away my teenager's phone and it works!! I don't have to push her or shove her to comply to my wishes. She has a choice, make the right choice and good things happen. make the wrong choice and you will lose something. no PAIN

[@BHVaranus]

Good shit, tell these owners to stop being lazy!