BeTrue
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Posts: 217
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Post by BeTrue on Jan 6, 2005 15:50:29 GMT -5
I agree with Kona. I know for myself personally, my voice doesn't always stay in the same tune. Although I do use YES as a word for if I don't have a clicker or if I have too much stuff in my hands to use one. Like, if I'm holding a leash, a target stick, and treats. I end up clicking by accident or clicking too late, and its just not worth it. Except I DO like the new concept of the i-click, because I could just use my foot. I'll have to look into that. ;D
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Post by Aussienot on Jan 6, 2005 16:48:19 GMT -5
I think you are at risk of making your training a bit too 'tool heavy'. The magic is in the trainer, not in the device. Work on your timing first before you put more money into a better clicker. If your timing is off, doesn't matter what you are using to mark the behavior, it's going to mark the wrong thing. Have you heard of the 101 things to do with a box game?
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BeTrue
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Post by BeTrue on Jan 6, 2005 18:21:02 GMT -5
Yep, I've heard of the 101 things to do with a box. I did it with my lab with a small open hamper. It was fun, and definately a good game for my timing and my dog's learning of what the clicker is all about. I'm pretty good with timing, its only when I'm holding a bunch of things in my hand. I could drop the leash, which I usually do, unless I'm outdoors and working with a puppy. In that case I feel like I can't hold the leash, target stick, and treats without fumbling around with the clicker. There must be an easier way to hold things. I've also used tennis balls and clicked when it reaches the ceiling, then when it hits the floor, then when its halfway from my hand to the floor...and so on.
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Post by Kona on Jan 6, 2005 20:58:19 GMT -5
"Work on your timing first before you put more money into a better clicker." Hehe. I would hardly consider a couple of bucks for a better designed clicker a big investment. It's more like replacing a cheap tool with another cheap tool that will give you better results. And a good clicker hardly makes a trainer "tool heavy." The i-clicker is the way clickers should have been designed in the first place. It's no bigger than an old fashioned box clicker, it fits better in the hand, it can be clicked while held in any position, and as has been stated here you don't even have to have it in your hand to click it. Heck, you can even tape it to the armrest of a wheelchair and click it with pressure from your arm. The dumbest thing I ever did with a box clicker was unintentionally holding it in my hand the wrong way during a training session. The dog did exactly what I wanted him to do, and I pressed my thumb to mark the behavior . . . and nothing. No click. What a wasted opportunity that was. And it never would have happened with an i-click.
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BeTrue
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Posts: 217
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Post by BeTrue on Jan 7, 2005 12:38:08 GMT -5
Hehe, Kona, the same exact thing has happened to me. I was teaching my lab to turn lights on, and I just clicked for the slightest 'nose brush' against the light switch. Well, he was doing good, I was clicking good, everthing was going well. Then I went back to get some more hotdog treats and he TURNED THE LIGHT ON. It was the first time, I attempted to click, and realized I had the clicker pointing backwards. What a disapointment! ;D
Lucky for me, it wasn't the last time he turned the light on, so I just treated him with extra treats for those times and kept the treats small for his little 'nose brushings'. ;D
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Post by Willow on Jan 7, 2005 14:07:11 GMT -5
Hmmmmmm......a simple "yes! Good dog!" and a pat is always with me, and no "wasted opportunity" because I didn't have the "correct clicker".
I feel if a person has to rely on a clicker and do not know how to "mark" their dogs correct behavior without a "tool", they are not very good at communication with the dog, period.
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Post by sibemom on Jan 7, 2005 14:13:25 GMT -5
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BeTrue
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Post by BeTrue on Jan 7, 2005 14:52:49 GMT -5
The only reason I like using clickers is because they're 100% fun! I tought my dog all kinds of tricks just by clicking when he performed the behaviour. It was so easy and effective, and I can personally say that my clicker hand is much faster and reliable then my voice. I've also found it to be faster then using my voice. Thats just my experience though, and I think whatever works best for a person and their dog is all that matters.
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Post by sibemom on Jan 7, 2005 15:16:36 GMT -5
Your right BeTrue whatever works best for you ;D I can see where it would be fun ;D and I did try but I guess I will stick with something more familar
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Post by Willow on Jan 7, 2005 16:19:42 GMT -5
No one will dispute that training should be "fun" for both you and the dog, but in the case where a dog has had a bad habit that needs correcting now, as in the case of "Cookie" and her pulling, the behavior should be corrected as quickly as possible with the proper training tool and method, and then you can go on to teaching the dog "fun" tricks with the clicker. ;D
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BeTrue
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Posts: 217
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Post by BeTrue on Jan 8, 2005 10:27:03 GMT -5
You do have a point, Willow. I know that some people have attempted to train loose-leash walking with the clicker and ended up getting over-frustrated and just dropped the entire thing. Of course some people CAN teach loose leash walking (I heard of a professional clicker trainer who trained a shelter dog to walk off-leash next to her in 5 MINUTES by clicking well over 100 times for the right behaviour (with small treats...only half a hotdog was used )) on a clicker as long as they're willing to take the time and stop when the dog or them gets frustrated. But I can see why people would rather not use clicker training for loose-leash. It does usually take longer, especially to the point where the dog will walk calmly by a person's side with major distractions, and other commands and tricks can get looked over.
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