Clapping Instead Of Clicking

[sandgrubber]

I like the idea of clicker training but have always found it hard to remember to carry a clicker. I just don't like little plastic gadgets

My dogs regard clapping as praise. I didn't deliberately train them in this , but I tend to clap, spontaneously, for 'good', eg., when they make a particularly good catch.

Would it work to systematically replace clicking with clapping?

Edited September 13, 2012 by sandgrubber

[Kavik]

You can use a word as a marker instead of a clicker - "YES!" being the most common but you can use what you like. Where clapping would be difficult is where you want to be using your hands as well (for holding treats, lead, objects eg dumbell). One of the things people often say is that they feel they need more hands when clicker training, and clapping uses both of them! So this is where using a marker word may be easier instead.

[sheena]

The clicker is used for marking very small increments when teaching a new behaviour ie. shaping & is ALWAYS followed by a treat. It would be very hard to be as precise with a clap & follow it up with a treat EVERY time. Maybe you don't understand the principles behind using the clicker. You can use a word like "yes", but remember if you are going to use this as your "marker" then forever more...every time you say "yes" even if you are not directly addressing your dog, you are going to have to reward the dog, just like you do when you use a clicker. Otherwise the true meaning (as a mark) will lose its value. I reserve the word "yes" for marking such things as correct weave pole entry or correct obstacle when training discrimination & she has come to know that when I say "yes" in training then it is the green light for her to continue on & somewhere down the track she will receive a reward. Does that make sense It is not hard to remember to put a clicker in your pocket or treat pouch every time you know you are going to be training. I have them all over the house :laugh: I would suggest you get hold of a little book, from Clean Run called "Clicker Training for Dogs...getting started" by Karen Pryor.

[persephone]

Clapping would probably work in theory .. however it is somewhat obvious ..uses two hands, and depending on how many claps .. leaves quite a gap between the noise and the treat/praise.

The clicker is also carried unobtrusively in your hand all the time so dog doesn't see movement - just hears that click.. and does not have the big visual clue of you getting ready to clap

.

..that getting ready , the first thing the dog sees , would then be the marker, I think?Sounds awkward

I have never done training with clicker ,or treats .. but would imagine the click to be immediately followed by the treat is the only way to be effective...

Oh.. are you intending to only use clapping as the praise/reward? No other reward/treat? rereading your original post ..it seemed that way to me ...

Edited September 13, 2012 by persephone

[gsdog2]

You can use a word as a marker instead of a clicker - "YES!" being the most common but you can use what you like. Where clapping would be difficult is where you want to be using your hands as well (for holding treats, lead, objects eg dumbell). One of the things people often say is that they feel they need more hands when clicker training, and clapping uses both of them! So this is where using a marker word may be easier instead.

I find using "yes" instead of a clicker much easier too (never seem have a clicker handy when needed ).

I reward Indi with a ball and when she's returning to me I'll clap to show her I'm very happy with her - I'm sure she picks up on my enthusiasm as she seems to pick up her pace and gets a bit of a bounce up when I do this :laugh:

[Aidan3]

Too slow, verbal marker would be better. Clickers are best where precision timing is required.

[sheena]

I am not sure how this would compare to using a voice marker or clapping, but using the clicker, I have just shaped (no voice or body language) my girl in less than 5 minutes, & half a handful of kibble, to "go to mat" lie down & stay there until released & she even tossed in crossed paws for good measure. This is the first time I have tried to teach "go to mat" & not one word was spoken.

[Alkhe]

Someone mentioned to me recently that they use a pen that clicks, when they don't have a clicker handy. That had never occurred to me, but now seem so damn obvious, and has been really helpful! I always have a pen in my bag, and usually have that with me when I'm.. well, anywhere. Might be a good alternative for when you've forgotten the clicker?

[Sheridan]

I use clapping for certain things for Mini. Fell into it accidentally when I clapped to get her attention. Must have done it once too often because now, for example, she won't head out into the yard to do a wee unless I clap twice.