Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
Day 3 of the 7-Day Mini Course
Day 3 is Teaching the Target Stick--click here to go to the lesson online
Most of you probably don't already have a target stick, but don't worry. You can use a pen, a wooden dowel, or the end of a long handled wooden spoon...any 'stick' like item that your dog isn't going to try to chew up immediately =)
After adding these videos below, I thought I'd add them here too
for those just arriving at Day 3:
First, here is a 9 week old pup learning target stick. One thing to note is that the trainer's hand is NOT holding treats...and the treat hand doesn't approach puppy until after the click.
And another one that seemed to teach it by putting a treat near the target first on the ground until the dog made a link... NOTE the tossing of the treats so the dog has to show understanding by coming back to target more.
Share your thoughts, experiences, questions here!
Most of you probably don't already have a target stick, but don't worry. You can use a pen, a wooden dowel, or the end of a long handled wooden spoon...any 'stick' like item that your dog isn't going to try to chew up immediately =)
After adding these videos below, I thought I'd add them here too
for those just arriving at Day 3:
First, here is a 9 week old pup learning target stick. One thing to note is that the trainer's hand is NOT holding treats...and the treat hand doesn't approach puppy until after the click.
And another one that seemed to teach it by putting a treat near the target first on the ground until the dog made a link... NOTE the tossing of the treats so the dog has to show understanding by coming back to target more.
Share your thoughts, experiences, questions here!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Adina P on
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I didn't tell you about the target stick because 1) I didn't want people to feel they HAD to spend money on more than the clicker before they had decided on the full program, and 2) for the mini course you don't need a "real' target stick--you only use it one day for the mini course.
Once the full program begins...it will be a while before we use the target stick so there is time =) -
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Permalink Reply by fergie11 on
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I agree with Linnea. I noticed they had a clicker with a target stick built in at Petco when I was there yesterday and I would have bought that one if I'd known. Oh well, I'll just have to make another trip back into town.
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Cathy, don't worry about buying it yet =)
Seriously it is only ONE lesson in the 7 day course, and then there is TIME to buy it after the full program begins.
Besides anything will do as a makeshift target stick...dogs don't know that it should look a certain way ;-) -
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Permalink Reply by Denise, Winnie, and AngelAbby on
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ok, so when we want the dog to touch the stick - should we be saying anything to them so they associate a word with the action?? I have read it over many times and it says nothing - or do we say "target"? (am i being a total airhead??) LOL
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Your question is very common as we are used to SAYING something --but as you'll learn later, we don't add the cue until the behavior is set. For day 3 we do NOT add any command or cue...it is fully on the dog to figure it out and learn to OFFER the behavior based on the clicker telling him/her whether he/she is correct.
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And be sure to get steps 4 and 5 in there so you get your pup to move and follow the stick.
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Permalink Reply by Nancy Greenberg on
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I emailed the Canis team and asked them to send lesson 2 and 3 together so I would be up with the group.They actually emailed me back personally and sent both lessons! Very nice and accommodating! Gotta go and start our lessons... think I'll use a metal stick...wood would be impossible to keep Duffy from chewing on!
Nancy -
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I made a file and am copying all the lessons into that so I have each one. This might help everyone.
Will have to refer to Lesson 3 a lot. Lucy not getting it. All she wants is my fingers because she knows that is where the treats come from. -
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Permalink Reply by Doodle Kisses on
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Hmmm...what are you holding in each hand?
How far away is the stick from her nose when you hold it there?
I would try this. Get all your treats into your treat bag (Or put them in a dish on the kitchen counter). THEN wash your hands so they don't smell like treats.
and reintroduce the target stick...maybe wave it around like you have the most special thing ever! Or roll it onto the floor and maybe she will show interest in it if it is on the ground. I would click for even looking at the stick..and then grab a treat and very obviously toss it on the ground for her to get. .get some more clicks for her looking at the stick and quit.
Next time raise the bar and after clicking for LOOKING at it wait for her to move toward it...approach it...finally touch it with her nose.
You'll have to get creative but don't touch it to HER nose as tempting as it is...she needs to make the move. Quit after a handful of good responses ... before she gets frustrated. -
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OK I can't hold a treat a clicker and a stick at the same time. 3rd time we've tried today and neither dog is getting it. They want my fingers that are holding the stick. They won't even look at the stick - only my fingers because that is where the treat comes from. I spose I could put the treat on the end of the stick but I think Canis would frown on that. Would appreciate suggestions from others. Are most of you successful with this? I will keep trying this afternoon until I have to go to work but then I guess I'll hope Lesson 4 goes better.
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Permalink Reply by Sonja on
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This isn't going so well for me either. My dog keeps looking at the wrong end of the stick and my hand too. It is amazing to me how powerful the treats and clicker connection is and how precise our rewards have to be. I also can't believe that I'm waving this shiny silver wand in front of her nose and she isn't even paying attention....taking a break for awhile and I"ll try again later.
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