Clicker Success! Guess What Maddie Can Do!!!

[Brattina88]

I have been working on this trick for a couple of days. I started with "touch" and had her touch the TV changer. Once she was doing this regardless of the remote's location, I paired 'touch' the the word 'TV Changer' so she would touch the TV changer regardless of where my hands are, or the location of the remote. It was so awesome, with a couple of clicks, she knew the name of the object and was touching it consistently. I even threw in a mix of a game, I put the TV changer in the floor, and her toy squirrel a foot or so away. Then I mixed up "Squirrel" and "TV changer" and played a bit of a game. She hopped over to each one, touching them when I saw the name of it, and I knew she had got it.

At different times of the day, I have also been working on "Take it" "drop it" and "leave it" to touch up her 'Bring it' skills, because they've gotten a little sloppy just playing with balls and toys.

So today I put the two together, and told Maddie to Get the TV Changer. She went over to it and put her mouth on it click-treat, and then she picked it up click-treat, and finally I started to add some distance. It was awesome!!

So, just now, I'm on my laptop sitting on the couch with my feet under me because its cold!! I looked for the remote and saw that it was on the other couch (uuugggg!!), and then I looked at Maddie who was laying down, but watching me. Our eyes met. I said "Maddie" she got up "Where's the TV Changer? Where is it?" She used her nose found it on the couch, and touched it I said "YES! Good girl! Now Get It, and Bring It Here"

Now I'm watching the TV Guide Channel
Not that I'm paying attention! I'm too busy singing praises to my dog !!! Woohoo!!

 

[Doberluv]

That is just flat out fantastic! Well done! You've inspired me. I'm always misplacing my remotes. What a useful trick that is! Isn't clicker training just awesome.....so precise. Way to go. Keep us posted on any other neat things you do.

 

[moxiegrl]

Ok Brattina..your going to help me (that is if you want too )

I ordered a clicker for Katie, and it should be here soon. How did you train Maddie w/ it? Anything you can tell me will be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[Brattina88]

I'd love to help you; if I can lol
Basically, when I first got the clicker I did an exercise some people call "Loading the Clicker" which is basically teaching the dog that a click = a treat.
Click - treat
Click - treat
Dogs usually catch on pretty quickly that when they hear a click, they're going to get a treat. We are able to take advantage of this by bridging the gap in communication that people struggle with when they teach dogs certain behaviors. With a clicker, you are simply able to mark exactly when the dog is doing the behavior you want. Like in my case, I clicked the second Maddie's nose touched the remote in the beginning.

Timing is really important in dog training, that and the consistency of the noise the clicker makes speeds the learning process along because they are able to understand what we want when we make it simple for them. Once they catch on, the clicker can make shaping, or training complex tricks in steps pretty easy...

In my psycology class we did a pretty cool 'experiment' during lab. We split up into groups, and sent one member of our group into the hallway. Then we were given a behavior we had to 'teach' the student in the hall. Without words or signals, by simply saying "bad" when they weren't doing the assigned behavior. An example of punishment as teaching. It took forever for our hallway-boy to finally sit on the floor...
For the second part we were assigned "standing on one foot", and this time all we could do was say "good" as an example of positive reinforcement. It took considerably less time!
After that, to prove a point, the teacher gave each group one clicker. My group immediately handed it to me (perhaps because all I talk about is dogs lol). It took maybe 5 or 10mins before our poor hallway-boy was doing jumping jacks... :lol-sign:

I love that class​

So, anyway... feel FREE to PM me or post on here anytime with clicker questions


Go for it Dober! It was sooo much easier than I thought it was going to be! I'm so proud! LOL

 

[moxiegrl]

Thanks Brattina...Im sure I'll be PM'ing you as soon as it gets here...lol..

 

[Doberluv]

My problem is anytime I want to use the clicker to teach one dog something, there are always 3 other dogs right there, expectantly awaiting their turn. LOL. I have to lock up the other 3 if I want to work with one dog. Its difficult with 4 dogs. I can't click and not give a treat to the other ones or they'll lose their prime. But I can't click/treat if they're doing some awful behavior that I don't want to reinforce. Its definitely a hassle that way. There are times when I see one dog doing something I'd love to capture with the clicker, but the other three are doing something I don't want. So, capturing behavior isn't something I can usually do, at least not with the clicker....unless for some odd reason, there's only one dog in the room....hardly ever happens.
I mainly use the clicker when I'm having a designated training session. Otherwise there really aren't good opportunities to use it. That's one down side of having multiple dogs.

 

[BostonBanker]

My problem is anytime I want to use the clicker to teach one dog something, there are always 3 other dogs right there, expectantly awaiting their turn.

So, clearly someone needs to create a "clicker" that makes four different, distinct sounds. You could assign each dog a sound. There would probably have to be four different "buttons" to push.... Do you think something like that would work? If you were consistent on which noise you train each dog with? This could be my million-dollar idea!

 

[dr2little]

So, clearly someone needs to create a "clicker" that makes four different, distinct sounds. You could assign each dog a sound. There would probably have to be four different "buttons" to push.... Do you think something like that would work? If you were consistent on which noise you train each dog with? This could be my million-dollar idea!

Great minds think alike I guess (your and who ever invented it) because it already exists...I'll have to find the link for you.

I train all 5 of my dogs at the same time with a clicker. I simply keep 4 in a row (sit or down stay) and work one at a time. Just like in class where many clickers are all clicking at once, the dog soon catches on to who the command is meant for and that not all clicking sounds are their personal reward marker. I think that it actually heightens focus in class and home training with multiple dogs.

 

[opokki]

So, clearly someone needs to create a "clicker" that makes four different, distinct sounds. You could assign each dog a sound.

Good news, someone already has!

Its called a "Clicker +" and it makes 4 different sounds: click, ping, chirp, trill.
http://clickertraining.com/store/

I haven't gotten one yet but I'd like to because I already use the regular clicker with Natalie while Sebastian is present. I'd like to designate a different specific sound just to him so I can use it for both of them.

 

[opokki]

Great minds think alike I guess (your and who ever invented it) because it already exists...I'll have to find the link for you.

Looks like we were posting at the same time.

I train all 5 of my dogs at the same time with a clicker. I simply keep 4 in a row (sit or down stay) and work one at a time. Just like in class where many clickers are all clicking at once, the dog soon catches on to who the command is meant for and that not all clicking sounds are their personal reward marker. I think that it actually heightens focus in class and home training with multiple dogs.

Good idea. I hadn't considered that.

 

[Doberluv]

LOL!!! Well, I did think of using a whistle for one, something else for another, maybe a muffled clicker for one and a clicker for the other. There's no problem in a class situation for me because everyone is pretty spread out. But in the close quarters of my house, if I want to capture something, when I'm not using a cue or anything, I'm afraid the dogs who are doing something else will come bounding over when they hear the clicker. They tend to get in the way. I can have them all do certain things together but haven't with the clicker. So, you pretty much have to have them all present then. I wish I could just capture something one is doing when I'm least expecting it and not have the others think it was meant for them. I'm afraid that could happen unless its in a controlled situation like you describe Dr2little....with them all lined up and in training "mode." Maybe I'll give it a try and hope when I catch Lyric doing something cute, Jose doesn't think the click was meant for him while he was eating poop outside or some equally disturbing behavior. LOL. He might even think the treat comes first, then the click. Poop-tart/click.

 

[silverpawz]

Good job! I taught Bear to get the remote the exact same way. It worked really well. He doesn't find it though, I have to point to it's general direction for him...still working on getting him to actually look for it if it's not within view.

 

[Doberluv]

You guys are great! I have got to get started on that. I'm afraid Lyric would bite a hole through my remote. Hmmmm....maybe one of the Chi's would be better at that. Well, Chuli probably couldn't pick it up but I bet Jose could and he is especially fond of carrying things around in his mouth and acts very pleased with himself while he carries a Nyla bone...has to strut and show everyone what he has. LOL. Yup....that's the best man for this job.

Maybe spreading a tad bit of peanut butter on a safe spot on the remote would help our dogs find it better Silverpaws. I suppose one would want to keep it away from the buttons. Then when the dog brings it, we'd have to have something even better in store for them than the peanut butter. And then......I guess we could phase out the peanut butter and reward only for the whole process; finding it, bringing it. LOL.

 

[silverpawz]

Maybe spreading a tad bit of peanut butter on a safe spot on the remote would help our dogs find it better Silverpaws.

That's a good idea! I can just see him stopping to much on it though if it smelled like food! LOL This dog is a bottomless pit.

He'll search for his toys, like if I ask for his Pink Pig he'll run around the house looking for it. For the life of me I can't remember if I taught him that or if he just picked it up on his own. I'm hoping that once he becomes more and more confident at bringing the remote to me he'll automatically start looking for it if he doesn't see it right away.

I'm at the stage now where I can send him a few feet away to grab it off a table or chair and bring it back. Maybe once I increase the distance more he'll just naturally start to search?

Meanwhile, I've been told I should stop using the dog as free labor and get off my lazy arse to get the remote myself. Obviously the person saying this to me has never hd a smart dog they need to keep occupied! (and yes, I admit it, I like not having to get up for the remote. )

 

[Doberluv]

I can just see him stopping to much on it though if it smelled like food!

Yup...I never thought about that enough. LOL. I'm sure I'd never get the remote back if I spread peanut butter on it. I'll have to come up with a better way. Bring it and then he gets some peanut butter. It sounds like your guy is way ahead of any of mine in this trick, among others. I'll have to get off my lazy arse and start working on some of these kinds of tricks. You guys have inspired me!

 

[RD]

The remote trick is a blast! I don't misplace my remotes very often, but I am ALWAYS losing my cell phone. I taught him to target my phone and gradually built up distance, and now he'll go find it for me if I need it. For a while I had him bringing it to me when it rang, but the guy at the Verizon store said it wasn't a good idea, the moisture of a dog mouth isn't good for the phone. LOL.

I'm just starting to explore target training and I'm LOVING it. I've already got Dakota shutting doors and working the light switches sooo well (he did it before but not so gently and precisely) and I'm even teaching him some goofy things like how to turn on the TV with a nose touch to the power button - I started out with a piece of a post-it note on the correct button and gradually faded it away once he understood.

Training is so fun

 

[Brattina88]

I'm really bad at losing the remote... In fact, I'm not really sure where it is now... hmm... *Maddie...* lol!!

My problem is anytime I want to use the clicker to teach one dog something, there are always 3 other dogs right there, expectantly awaiting their turn. LOL. I have to lock up the other 3 if I want to work with one dog.

I have the same issue, and I had to put my other two in the kitchen / outside when I was combining my little divisions of the trick.
They can work in a line - or wait their turn. I often work on sit/stays by placing them in a row and then calling them by their name to release them. Its just an exercise I use to give a bone or something I may have special, and it keeps them in practice with their listening ears on :lol:

Meanwhile, I've been told I should stop using the dog as free labor and get off my lazy arse to get the remote myself. Obviously the person saying this to me has never hd a smart dog they need to keep occupied! (and yes, I admit it, I like not having to get up for the remote. )

ah... they're just jealous!! If we work to have well behaved dogs than I think we have a right to be lazy sometimes... haha

The remote trick is a blast! I don't misplace my remotes very often, but I am ALWAYS losing my cell phone. I taught him to target my phone and gradually built up distance, and now he'll go find it for me if I need it. For a while I had him bringing it to me when it rang, but the guy at the Verizon store said it wasn't a good idea, the moisture of a dog mouth isn't good for the phone. LOL.

I'm just starting to explore target training and I'm LOVING it. I've already got Dakota shutting doors and working the light switches sooo well (he did it before but not so gently and precisely) and I'm even teaching him some goofy things like how to turn on the TV with a nose touch to the power button - I started out with a piece of a post-it note on the correct button and gradually faded it away once he understood.

Training is so fun

Oooh, I know. I LOVE training, which is why my 'spare time' is never really spare :lol: My cell phone is next! It's something I've thought about; thanks for reinforcing me RD!
Ah, what does the Verizon guy know. A girl at work dropped hers in the toilet and 3 of us went in there and stared at it for a minute before figuring out how to fish it out. We got it out, pulled it apart, let it air dry for a couple hours and then used the hair dryer. Put it back together - and it turned right back on :lol-sign:
I think it'll be a lot easier for Maddie to carry the phone because of its case... She doesn't like the plastic remote too much, but she likes doing the trick because of the attention / praise she gets.
My little girl shuts doors and cupboards that she can reach...

Any other ideas? Keep 'em coming :lol:!

 

[RD]

LOL, my mom dropped hers in the toilet too (I keep mine in my purse instead of my pocket for that very reason :lol-sign: ) and it worked fine after air-drying.

I've eased up on the useful tricks and lately have been working on cutesy/parlor tricks. Dakota may have a future as a therapy dog and I know kids would get a huge kick out of some of the things he can do. Right now I'm working on teaching him to shake his head "no" (for the longest time I was trying to teach him to stick his tongue out, but he didn't cooperate much with that trick) This is where my inexperience comes back to bite me in the butt - I can capture subtle behaviors like that, but I can't use lures or targets. I have a really hard time fading them with things like that.

We were also working on a goofy little trick . . . I look at Dakota and say "ACK! What's on your tail, Dakota?" and he bends himself in half or does a goofy little somersault thing in order to check it out. Since his tail has been hurting lately, I haven't worked with him on that.

Erm, let's see, what else . . . I'd really like to teach him a knee vault, but I don't want to attempt that until I know exactly what I'm going to do. I might try it with Ripley first, since he isn't as insane and won't do too much, too soon.

I know I'm working on more, and I have a couple little things that I'm teaching Ripley (one is trying to refine his "wroooo" into something that sounds like a word) but I'm too tired to post 'em all. lol!

 

[cindr]

Good job; Nothing wrong with having fun with your pup. Thats cool Now I know that I have been training for a long time. But have never used a Clicker.

I have heard a lot about them but never used one. So what is the purpose for the clicker? How well does it work?

 

[BostonBanker]

Great minds think alike I guess (your and who ever invented it) because it already exists...I'll have to find the link for you.

Darn it! That always happens with my brilliant ideas. Clearly, I was born too late. I could have been a genius 50 years ago.