A question re: clicker training

[moonbeam]

I've read everyone's posts about clicker training and bought a book and 2 clickers. The book is by Morgan Spector. I have a 10 week old puppy that we're trying this on. We're currently on step 2, the first one was to "click and treat" to get them used to the clicker sound and it meaning good things are coming. The second one is where you say their name, they look, you click then treat. The problems we're having that are not addressed in the book is that when we're working with her outside and she decides there's something more interesting to inspect she ignores her name and continues on. The only thing the book says is to go back to the previous step. So... are we ever going to get past this? She's too interested in being "adventure dog" sometimes.

Any advice on this? And if this is not a reliable way to make her always come to us when we call her, what is?

We have two other Rotties, one we had to take to a special trainer to work with dominance problems (she was our first Rottie). The other was very easy to train. We were hoping to start early with this one so she would be reliable off-leash in our yard, etc.

Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

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To read my dog Cerberus' story and learn more about cancer in dogs see: http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Y.../cerberus.html

[Michael C.]

Any time you are training a dog, especially a pup, you want to start off in an area that has no distractions. Then, as your dog progresses, slowly introduce different distractions. Keep in mind your pup is 10 weeks old. Be patient and consitent and you will have a great dog.

mike

[Ethár]

Ooooooops Moonbeam.

I think this is WAY TO EARLY to start ANY training.

The only "training" you should do with your 10 week puppy is plain, ordinary upbringing.
AND DO IT IN A PLAYFUL WAY - with no special demands.

Oh dear, please think of what you are doing. The pups brain is NOT developed much enough to understand TRAINING. It can end up so bad that you one day stand there with a dog who HATES to obey, train, be with you etcetera.

Wait with the clicker until your dog is approx. 6-7 months. And when you start with it don't put too much pressure on her.

:-) It is NATURAL for pup to explore the world. YOU must try to be MORE interesting than other things.

I trained Ambrosius by saying the command in a liiiiight voice, then running a few meters AWAY from him. Hunching down with face away from him. You bet he would ignore "the world" and come running to me just to see what mistress doing - Praise, praise and play with him when coming makes ME the most interesting person that he WANTS to spend time with.

Another good thing is to be unexpected. When walking - jump behind a tree or into a bush hiding. Let the pup find you. When he does PRAAAAAAAAAAAISE and PLAY.

Don't always go the same walks - be unpredictible. In this way you will get a dog that keeps an eye on you... and not the other way around.

This is my advice. Good Luck!

[This message has been edited by Ethár (edited August 21, 2000).]

[frontierrots]

Actually most breeders who use clicker start at 3 weeks !!

This is NOTHING like regular methods and teaches the pup how to use it's mind and think. The younger you start the better!

IF the pup is too distracted outdoors then train inside for awhile. Morgans book is the best there is and he has trained hundreds of dogs successfully and obtained high levels of obed success!

Pups LOVE clicker training!! They love to use their minds. Mine always go nuts with excitement when they realise we are training!

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Diane
Frontier Rottweilers & Shiba Inu and
Volunteer with NorthEast Rottweiler Rescue & Referral http://www.rottrescue.org

[moonbeam]

I appreciate everyone's insight. Ethar, I know I shouldn't expect much from her as a puppy, we're using the clicker to help her learn her name and some basics of household manners. From experience (and what the book says) puppies minds are sponges but they have short attention spans. That's why we're working on real short, easy things. I wouldn't want to wait until 5-6 months to do basics, by then they've formed some bad habits. She gets to spend LOTS of time just being a puppy. Puppyhood is way to short to try to put them in "boot camp" and make them learn too much at once.

[frau]

Have you tried increasing the desirability of the treat?--I.e., if LivaSnaps aren't holding pups attention, use cubed turkey, beef, meat tortellini.
You may already be using this, but you didn't describe the treat. I just thought I'd throw this in because Gypsy pays way more attention when I treat with meat scraps vs. broken up dog biscuits.

Frau

[LisaS]

moonbeam - I suggest you join one or both of these clicker training email lists and/or read through some of the articles or keeper-posts on the sites. These folks will be able to give you some ideas. http://www.kaylar.com/users/wmdog/lists.html www.click-l.com

[frontierrots]

The biggest and most mportant thing in training (regardless of method used!) is to make the sessions fun and to find a way to make YOU and the training more interesting than what else is going on!

You first start out with low distraction training places and as the dog advances in training ou train in more distracting environments.

As the distraction level increases some people find it difficult to be "more interesting then spit on a sidewalk" to their dog In clicker training you use "high value" treats for distracting places or for excellant performance. This helps a GREAT deal

For example when training pups at ome or at the kennel I use plain dog food, but when outdoors I use do food mixed with cheese pieces, and when out in public I use cheese pieces and meat pieces.

Also you must know when to quit! Every dog has a different level of concentration and some can only work for 5 minute blocks before going "brai dead" while others of the exact same age and breed can easily focus for an hour. Learn your own dog's limits and stop on a positive note BEFORE that limit is reached!

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Diane
Frontier Rottweilers & Shiba Inu and
Volunteer with NorthEast Rottweiler Rescue & Referral http://www.rottrescue.org

[WorkinDogz]

I agree 100% Diane. The #1, without a doubt, major problem is "over doing it" in training.

It's so very important to end training session while the dog is still "up" and attentive instead of burned out and in avoidence.

Puppy imprinting; whether it be with a clicker or any other motivational training method lays the foundation that your dog will need to carry him/her through their entire obedience career. (Even if that career is no more than a happy, well-mannered PET!)

I firmly believe that it's NEVER too early to make a good impression via motivation and puppy imprinting.