Dog book on clicker training

[jacensolo]

I am looking for a good book on clicker training. One that doesn't really tell the clicker philosophy and ideas. I know that. I guess I need a training book, kind of like an advanced guide. I'm ruling out culture clash cause it's not so much about how to train the dog, but to use the clicker instead of other methods.

Jack already knows how to sit, stay, roll over, shake, etc. Is there a book that goes into advanced tricks like like putting toys away and retrieving a leash? I'm not so sure for what I'm looking so I'm open to most ideas .

Edit: Also I don't want the book to assume my dog is a puppy, since he isn't.

 

[Doberluv]

Don't Shoot The Dog, Karen Pryor

The Power of Positive Training, Pat Miller

Most books are going to include the ideas and philosophy because without such, the methodology or technique won't make much sense to the masses who pick up such a book. If you understand the concepts of classical conditioning, Pavlovian response etc.... you should be able to apply that to anything you want to teach your dog. It doesn't make much difference if you dog is an adult or a puppy other than some minor tweeks in the process, like shorter training sessions for a pup or whatever. They really still learn the same way. I think Pat Miller's book had quite a bit on tricks as I recall.

 

[EliNHunter]

Good question, jac... I, myself, found myself in "clicker training" with my current dog, Hunter. I really never got the hang of it and neither did he. He seemed to respond to my voice and actions better. Dunno... it might work for some people/breeds, but maybe I never had the "patience" that this would be the THING that helped in our training? All dogs (and people) are different in their way of training. I've heard it works for some...

 

[Doberluv]

It really works for all mammals because it is based on behavioral law, how all organisms with a brain learn. "You do this and that happens. You do this this and that other thing happens," to quote Jean Donalson. Clicker training works and is used on all kinds of animals. It is a trick to get onto it and get your timing down, motivators known....and you need an understanding of some things before you start. But classical conditioning or clicker training does work regardless of breed.

 

[Dekka]

Works much better than voice..as it is a unique marker..but if you aren't good at using it, its not much use

As for books not sure..but there is a great yahoo email list..clickersolutions I highly reccomend it. If you can break down a behaviour into small chunks and teach them in small increments, you will be fine. One of the things I do when I give a clicker seminar, is have people try it on eachother (and voice etc)

I trained Dekka to open a book, turn pages and 'read' in a about 3 short sessions. I also use the clicker for my agility and competitive obedience training. Its soooooooo incredibly precise, you get what you click, so you have to be careful to click exactly what you want.

 

[mjb]

When we were having trouble with Spanky in his puppyhood and hired a trainer/behaviorist, he used a clicker and started us with it. (I haven't kept it up, and there are a few things I need to work on now with Spanks).

Anyway, he told me that it's kind of fun to use the clicker with family members and see how long it takes for them to realize what you're doing and what's getting rewarded. He said some people he had worked with had spouses who didn't understand why their dog didn't 'get' some things quicker and then found out that they (smart humans) also took some repetitions to figure out what activity would get the 'clicker/treat' response.

We never played that game, but I think it might be interesting. I also never tried it with my cats, but I understand they can be trained that way. I'm just not sure what I would want to train the cats to do. They actually have me trained.

The trainer we worked with also trains horses, and he uses the clicker with them, too.

 

[Dekka]

my fave is a clip of a clicker trained guinea pig of all things, it would go put things (like little toys) in a little basket then carry the basket.

 

[mjb]

That long post, and I forgot to put the book that I liked.

I used several books, and I had the trainer who actually showed me how to use the clicker, but I liked Clicking with Your Dog by Peggy Tillman. I just liked it because it was laid out in chapters with, here's what you do first; then this. These are the first things you should work on, etc.