Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
Day 2 of the 7-Day Mini Course
Lesson 2: Charging the clicker
In today’s class, the goal is:
* to charge the clicker
The clicker is a so called conditioned reinforcer. This means that it informs the dog that the ”real” reinforcement (a treat, a ball, a tug toy or some other nice thing) is coming.
The good thing about the clicker is that we can mark the exact moment when the dog does what we wish to reinforce. If we click just as the dog performs what we want, this behavior will be reinforced (become more likely to occur) even if a second or three passes before we get the treat or toy from our pocket and deliver it to the dog. The clicker sort of works like a camera. Another way of putting it is to say that the clicker builds a ”bridge” over the time gap between the behavior and the delivery of the reward.
Charging the clicker is very simple. This is how you do it:
1. Find an undisturbed place, preferably indoors. Click once – then take a treat from your pocket and give the dog. The dog does not have to do anything special – just click and deliver the treat. What is most important at this first stage is for the dog to learn the connection between a click and a treat. When the dog has swallowed the treat, you click and reward once more. Run through 5-6 clicks + treats before taking a break.
If you have a sound sensitive dog, please keep the clicker in your pocket to soften the sound the first 10-12 repetitions. When the dog seems to respond positively to the sound, you can take it out of your pocket while clicking.
2. After a two minute break you go on to another session. You can now begin to move about while you click and treat – the dog has to learn that click means reward even if you are on the move. Run through 5-10 clicks and then take a break. What the dog is doing when you click is still not important. It is ok if he is looking at you, but also try clicking when the dog looks away – you will see that the dog will quickly turn back to you. That is a clear sign that he is beginning to understand the meaning of the clicking sound.
3. You can work through the third session on your evening walk. Now you only need to have the clicker in your hand while you are walking. When the dog does something that you like during your walk (for example looks at you, walks on a loose leash, passes a pedestrian, somebody on a bicycle or another dog, etc) you click and treat. If the dog does not respond to the treat (this can happen the first few times outdoors if there are a lot of distractions), just give the dog the treat anyway.
If you have a dog that enjoys to play, you can use play instead of treats after the click from the very beginning. You can also vary between giving a treat and getting the toy out after the click. The click means that something fun is going to happen, but it does not necessarily say what – it can be a pleasant surprise.
When you see that the dog responds nicely to the click indoors as well as outdoors you should NOT keep working on responding to the very sound – you now need to move on to training specific behaviors!
Do you need a clicker...? Here is everything you need!
If you do not have a clicker, you can use the work ”good” (said short and rapidly) for now. It is a good idea to have a short word like that as a stand in for the clicker any way.
Make sure that you:
* keep your hands by your sides while you click
* wait to move your hand towards your pocket until AFTER you click. If you move your hand to your pocket before you click, the dog will react to the movement of your hand and not to the clicker.
* ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS reward after a click. EVERY TIME! No exceptions! (and no matter what some other people might say - trust us on this one!)
Homework
Charge the clicker! If done correctly, it should take no more than 10-30 clicks before the dog reacts to the clicker in most places. In situations with distractions it might take a bit longer before the dog always reacts as well to the clicker, but it will come as we begin the training for real.
Have fun with the homework – tomorrow we begin training for real!
Once you've received your Day 2 Lesson, please share your thoughts, experiences, and questions about what you learned and how you did with your homework here.
In today’s class, the goal is:
* to charge the clicker
The clicker is a so called conditioned reinforcer. This means that it informs the dog that the ”real” reinforcement (a treat, a ball, a tug toy or some other nice thing) is coming.
The good thing about the clicker is that we can mark the exact moment when the dog does what we wish to reinforce. If we click just as the dog performs what we want, this behavior will be reinforced (become more likely to occur) even if a second or three passes before we get the treat or toy from our pocket and deliver it to the dog. The clicker sort of works like a camera. Another way of putting it is to say that the clicker builds a ”bridge” over the time gap between the behavior and the delivery of the reward.
Charging the clicker is very simple. This is how you do it:
1. Find an undisturbed place, preferably indoors. Click once – then take a treat from your pocket and give the dog. The dog does not have to do anything special – just click and deliver the treat. What is most important at this first stage is for the dog to learn the connection between a click and a treat. When the dog has swallowed the treat, you click and reward once more. Run through 5-6 clicks + treats before taking a break.
If you have a sound sensitive dog, please keep the clicker in your pocket to soften the sound the first 10-12 repetitions. When the dog seems to respond positively to the sound, you can take it out of your pocket while clicking.
2. After a two minute break you go on to another session. You can now begin to move about while you click and treat – the dog has to learn that click means reward even if you are on the move. Run through 5-10 clicks and then take a break. What the dog is doing when you click is still not important. It is ok if he is looking at you, but also try clicking when the dog looks away – you will see that the dog will quickly turn back to you. That is a clear sign that he is beginning to understand the meaning of the clicking sound.
3. You can work through the third session on your evening walk. Now you only need to have the clicker in your hand while you are walking. When the dog does something that you like during your walk (for example looks at you, walks on a loose leash, passes a pedestrian, somebody on a bicycle or another dog, etc) you click and treat. If the dog does not respond to the treat (this can happen the first few times outdoors if there are a lot of distractions), just give the dog the treat anyway.
If you have a dog that enjoys to play, you can use play instead of treats after the click from the very beginning. You can also vary between giving a treat and getting the toy out after the click. The click means that something fun is going to happen, but it does not necessarily say what – it can be a pleasant surprise.
When you see that the dog responds nicely to the click indoors as well as outdoors you should NOT keep working on responding to the very sound – you now need to move on to training specific behaviors!
Do you need a clicker...? Here is everything you need!
If you do not have a clicker, you can use the work ”good” (said short and rapidly) for now. It is a good idea to have a short word like that as a stand in for the clicker any way.
Make sure that you:
* keep your hands by your sides while you click
* wait to move your hand towards your pocket until AFTER you click. If you move your hand to your pocket before you click, the dog will react to the movement of your hand and not to the clicker.
* ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS reward after a click. EVERY TIME! No exceptions! (and no matter what some other people might say - trust us on this one!)
Homework
Charge the clicker! If done correctly, it should take no more than 10-30 clicks before the dog reacts to the clicker in most places. In situations with distractions it might take a bit longer before the dog always reacts as well to the clicker, but it will come as we begin the training for real.
Have fun with the homework – tomorrow we begin training for real!
Once you've received your Day 2 Lesson, please share your thoughts, experiences, and questions about what you learned and how you did with your homework here.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Tante & Jordan & now Annie! on
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Jordan took to the clicker right away, I used treats that my boss's wife made.They are nice and soft,I used cut up chicken and some cheese. Jordan never knew what she going to get. I did walk her around block,we already did our long walk for the day, before I got lesson 2 in my email (I got it at 8:45p) She did great, but it was her taking food.She is an expert!
Now I am working with Payton (ND) also.He is one of those dogs who is sound sensitive. He would flinch! I upped the anty with him and gave him cheese only. By round 2 he was better but still flinched a little. I did try wrapping it up in my shirt. Around 3 I will try chicken with him. We are going to do a quick walk around the block.
Anyone else have a flincher? -
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Permalink Reply by Bev and WILLY on
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I've found in the past that by having your clicker attached to one of those twirly swizle elastic rubbery bracelets, (hopefully you know what I mean) you can have your clicker available at all times. Just leave it on your wrist all day.
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Permalink Reply by 2fetg28jixqki on
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Yes! When I previously started clicker training I put it on one of those small carabeener clips and attached that to a small treat bag. I think the bracelet will work even better. Thanks Bev!
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Permalink Reply by Linda and Murphy on
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Great Idea. I don't always have the clicker with the treats. Thanks.
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Permalink Reply by Yvonne, Riley, Murphy and Luca on
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Riley took to the clicker right away.. I probably did it somewhere between 5-10 times before he would stop and look at me for his treat. I was really impressed it was that easy to get him to respond to it. I am looking forward to day 3.
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Permalink Reply by Adina P on
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Oooh I was going to post a photo of mine and forgot...here it is:
It's made by "Triple Crown" --- but it really doesn't matter. I got mine at a local pet store.
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Permalink Reply by Marion Carmickle on
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I received Lesson I yesterday but no lesson 2...who do I contact to get the next lesson? Thanks!
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Each lesson comes 24 hours after the previous one. So it depends on what TIME you signed up and got your first lesson. If it doesn't come within 24 hours...let me know.
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THIS IS
SONJA's RESPONSE (moved from the Comments Wall) I bought a clicker at PetCo yesterday and started "charging" lessons today. I'm not sure if Maizy responded to the clicker or I'm the one she is now "charged" to. Apparently the treats I chose were HIGHLY motivating, because she is now constantly following me around, looking at me, sitting, anything she happened to be doing when I was teaching the clicker/treat connection. I went ahead and bought the program because I have a feeling she is going to "get it" faster than I am, and I'll need the book! How's everyone else doing? -
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Sonja again:
Oh my gosh! I think she got it. I'm sitting at the computer, downloading the class, and the movie started playing. As soon as Maizy heard the "click" on the computer from the video she ran over, sat down and looked at me. I had to turn down the sound because I'm not sure what to do!!!! (I treated her.) Man...this is going to be interesting! -
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THIS IS FERGIE11's RESPONSE (moved from the Comment Wall)
OK so I went to Petco and bought a clicker for $1.99. It's loud and I think it will look fine. Looks like the one on training website. I also finally bought a treat holder that hooks onto your pants or belt loop so you can access your treats really fast. I've been wanting that for awhile. ($3.99) For six bucks I'm ready to go. Did everyone get the offer for all the other stuff we can get if we sign up today? Is this like a "Ginsu knife" offer? LOL
Started conditioning Lucy - She just wanted the treats. -
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