bordersrule

I have used clicker to train all my dogs through the first stages of learning. It is a great starting point as it allows you to pin point the correct behaviour. Once they had learnt the step through clicker/food motivation I was then able to progress onto the verbal and hand controls. I now dont have to use clicker all the time only when teaching something new. In the end though it all comes down to personal preference and what works best for you and your dog.

Thanks Laffi Right from when Ally was a puppy her game was to chase Flash not the ball. I did not realise at the time that she did not know what a ball was until I started flyball training and she wouldn't even look at a ball. It took a lot of patience and hard work!! I trained her using clicker. It began with her nose facing the ball she would get a click and treat. It then progressed with touching the ball with nose then went onto mouthing the ball till eventually she would hold the ball in her mouth. Once I had the mouth holding it was easy to get her excited about chasing the ball. Now she loves it. She will go mental if she hears anyone else doing Flyball and she is in her crate waiting for her turn. She gives Flash a challenge now when playing ball :rolleyes:

Saturday went really well for us at Flyball Training. Ally did her first continuous full flyball runs today without having her usual blonde moments. YAY!! It was definately a proud mum moment. It has taken her 12 months to get to this level as she had no real interest in balls up until the last couple of months. Ally has definately made me work hard, but it has all been worth it. :rolleyes: My boy Flash only took 2 months to get from training to competition level and is now 1 of our most realiable dogs. Chloe is also doing really well. She had her 3rd lesson and is doing box work as well as most jumps. She is a very smart girl. They all made me very proud on Saturday