Clicker Training

[Bundyburger]

Ok, I've read Karen Pryor's book, and was all motivated to start doing clicker training with Bundy, but one thing really has me confused. I know the clicker is used to tell the dog that their reward is coming after you've marked something they've done as what you want. Jeanne mentioned having her boy dropping really well and quickly after using the clicker, but I don't understand how or when you introduce the verbal command into it so you can then get your dog to perform the behaviour when you want. How do you know when the dog has learnt the behaviour you are trying to shape??

I've read about clicker training on other websites and things but I am yet to find somewhere that actually explains the above in a way I understand

Like I said, probably really obvious.. but it's not for a nuffy like me :D

Edited March 30, 2010 by Bundy's Mum

[Guest Tess32]

It depends on whether you're shaping the behaviour or capturing etc.

It's also just personal choice as some people prefer to wait till the behaviour is being performed well and reliably before they start using the command.

Generally I use the command from the beginning. So eg teaching the sit with a lure....say SIT, lure into a sit, dog sits/click, reward.

[kiesha09]

Once your dog is reliably offering the behaviour you can then add the cue for it. So for example if you are teaching a sit you would get that happening reliably - clicking as soon as his butt hit the ground and then treat. When your dog knows it really well it will keep offering it during your training session to try and earn the click and treat. This is when I would say 'sit' just as he is starting to bend his legs to plant his butt. Again as soon as his butt hits the ground I c/t.

Does that make sense?

ETA: Some people do say the cue as they are luring the behaviour etc. but for me I don't want to name a weak behaviour that isn't at all reliable in case I then get a sloppy response from the cue as it has been rewarded.

Edited March 30, 2010 by kiesha09

[Bundyburger]

Once your dog is reliably offering the behaviour you can then add the cue for it. So for example if you are teaching a sit you would get that happening reliably - clicking as soon as his butt hit the ground and then treat. When your dog knows it really well it will keep offering it during your training session to try and earn the click and treat. This is when I would say 'sit' just as he is starting to bend his legs to plant his butt. Again as soon as his butt hits the ground I c/t.

Does that make sense?

ETA: Some people do say the cue as they are luring the behaviour etc. but for me I don't want to name a weak behaviour that isn't at all reliable in case I then get a sloppy response from the cue as it has been rewarded.

It does make sensethanks I just couldn't get my head around it for some reason. Our main bugbear is drop, we had it nearly consistent at training but it is becoming less and less consistent so I was thinking if I change to c/t it's something I cna just incorporate into the day as well as the training sessions and will hopefully get quicker results. He's already grasped click treat if he looks at me which is good since we couldn't get it in 2 months of training

Deleted a bit as I worked it out after I reread a few times :D

Edited March 30, 2010 by Bundy's Mum

[bedazzledx2]

I don't like to put a cue (command) on the behaviour until its at least 80% accurate. There is a school of thought that it can even be later than that...ie just before you trial. The other thing to think about is that many clicker savvy dogs will offer behaviour...particularly if you've done a lot of shaping. Once the cue goes on you simply don't reward what you didn't cue. This does mean that they need to fully understand the cue! You can also have a 'working' cue that you intend to change once the behaviour is taught. For example you could easily cue 'Wait' and change it to 'Stay' later on. You can also do this with signals (I have) A couple of problems with putting the cue on early are that you can end up with a 'poisoned cue' if the dog gets confused or corrected for something he doesn't yet truly understand or the other situation where he is being re-enforced for apparently ignoring a cue (command). How many times have you seen and heard people say 'sit', 'sit', 'sit', 'SIT'....which sit cue is the real one?

Personally I will quietly say the cue word as the behaviour is being performed when I think he is ready for it but it is NOT a command!

Ok, I've read Karen Pryor's book, and was all motivated to start doing clicker training with Bundy, but one thing really has me confused. I know the clicker is used to tell the dog that their reward is coming after you've marked something they've done as what you want. Jeanne mentioned having her boy dropping really well and quickly after using the clicker, but I don't understand how or when you introduce the verbal command into it so you can then get your dog to perform the behaviour when you want. How do you know when the dog has learnt the behaviour you are trying to shape??

I've read about clicker training on other websites and things but I am yet to find somewhere that actually explains the above in a way I understand

Like I said, probably really obvious.. but it's not for a nuffy like me

[luvsablue]

You add the cue when you are getting the sit or down or stand that you want.

Say it's the down. When the dog is doing a straight drop (ie not rolled over on one hip) and is able to repeat it say 20 or 30 times,

and in different locations, (in the lounge room, the back yard, the local park, the training school, etc) then you add the cue word.

Same with the sit. That's where shaping comes in, first you c/t any down or sit, then you only c/t the better ones. Then only the

best ones. When the dog can repeat in lots of different and distracting surroundings you add the cue word.

This avoids trying to tidy up later. I mean, how many times do you see people asking for a straight front sit after the dog has

recalled or retrieved and sat crooked or slouched? Probably hundreds. Then they move, to get the dog to alter its sit.

Better to teach it properly the first time.

luvsablue &

beckie the blue dog.