Reverse Clicker Training

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

We have a whole new approach to "clicker training", which I'll get to soon.  First though I wanted to lay some groundwork.  Every Tuesday, Ben (the trainer) comes to pick Murphy up for Roller Blading....we do our regular training on Thursdays, and Tuesday is all about fun and exercise.  About five minutes before he gets here (on Tues or Thurs) I say to the Doods "Ben's coming".  They go to the open front door (the screen door is on) and sit and wait for him.  They totally know what "Ben" means.  They  know that "Ben" means that they have to be calm or he will not even come up the driveway.  So, they sit and don't make a sound or move a muscle.  There's no jumping, barking, tail wagging...nothing...just two calm Doods.  He comes to the door and I put Murph on his slip lead and call him outside.  He then has to lay down on the front "stoop" and be calm before he's allowed to go for his roller blading "outing".  Today we hit the jackpot.  It seemed like everyone was out walking their dogs...we had the yappy Yorkies, the wacky little visiting "mixed breed" across the street,  a wonderful Standard Poodle and a very sweet and well mannered Lab.  They all walked by while Murph was laying on the front porch "chillin".  There were a few times when it appeared that he was going to break his down/stay (I can always tell by his ears), and Ben just snapped his fingers to get his mind back on what he was supposed to be doing.  I've seen Ben do the finger snap thing before, and it always seems to work with Murph.  Remember we are trying very hard not to use voice or words during this phase of training.  Just hearing the sound seems to refocus him.  Anyway, I've been trying to learn to do the same thing so that I don't have to say "No" or "UnhUnh", but I am clearly "finger snapping challenged".  When I do it, no sound comes out. 

So, today we came up with a solution.  I'm now using the clicker versus the finger snap.  It's a "verbal correction" without words.  I have to tell you, it works with Murph.  I know the positive clicker trainers will probably have a "breakdown" just hearing this, but it really does work with my guy.  On Thursday we're taking the boys to a fenced in dog park a few towns away that usually has LOTS of dogs.  We're going to put them through all their commands right outside the fence.  For Murph this is the ultimate distracted environment.  I'll be using my "reverse clicker method" of verbal correction.  I'll try to get video so you can see what I mean.  Oh, and I should add that when Murph does listen and obey the command he always gets rewarded.....just not with a "click and treat".

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Awesome idea.. especially for the snap challenged.  It is so good to hear Murphy is doing so well.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This all sounds wonderful, and I'm thrilled that as another finger-snapping challenged individual (I cannot do it, ever), there is an alternative. (To me, it also sounds like a better use of the clicker than the positive training methods, but that form of training has never made any sense to me. And I've never seen it really work.)

Yay for Murphy, Guinness, and you!  

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

Excellent idea!  Sounds like training is really going good for all of you.