Clicker Training - Yay or Nay???

[Training - Experiences, Challenges, and Mindsets]

What do you think about Clicker Training?  Did it work for you??? 

Would really appreciate your feedback.

Thanks.

[Melissa and Willa Couch]

I find that clicker training was easy and useful.  Willa responds well to it.  

[Ada and Emma]

I've never heard of this clicker method... I will be looking on utube to see videos of how this is done.

[Jen W]

I still use it.  Started with an actual clicker but then moved on to "YESSSS".  Either way it's important to click/say yes as soon as the desired behavior is done so the puppy knows what has earned them the treat.  

[Gwyndolyn Morasko]

And I switched from food "treats" to "Love and kisses" as the treat after a few months and he did fine with the transition to non-food types of treats.

[Adina P]

I think it can be effective, but I didn't find it as effective as more balanced training that includes rewards and corrections.  I find it (for me anyway) to be more effective to just show your dog what you want it to do, practice, then correct mistakes and reward correct behavior with praise.  But I follow a very specific method that is not for everyone. 

Also from my reading and experience, clicker training works best when you first teach your dog some clicker 'fluency' so that they learn how to learn with the clicker.  Traditionally trained dogs wait for your guidance but a good 'clicker' dog tries to figure out what you want. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I really think that the clicker serves as an instant "marker" that tells the dog they did something right.....usually because it is immediately followed up with a reward.  So I like this theory....I think that dogs do need to be told instantly whether they made the "right" or "wrong" decision...that's how they learn.  That said, I found it difficult to use a clicker for obedience work, and impossible to use for heel training.  It seemed I didn't always have it with me or when doing my heel training it was way too cumbersome to be focused on my leash work AND the clicker.  So I use a marker word instead....I simply say "YES" in a quick, very positive tone and then treat or affection (reward).  That has become their marker, and for me it works as well as the clicker.

[Patti and Bosco]

We sometimes use clicker training.  I don't always use a clicker since I feel like I need three hands.  Sometimes I just mark with the word "yes" or "good".  We will use any combination of force-free training that works best for the situation.  There are several good youtube videos of trainers that I like: 

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-qnqaajTk6bfs3UZuue6IQ

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpLERy98DEoF_-t5zJc5BRg

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEx7qRAzUH_nmQn_hiLo2Ig

Overall our experience with a clicker has been a positive one with respect to how Bosco responds.  We try to move slowly and calmly when doing any of our training so that Bosco stays in a calm state.

[Breanna]

I think they are a great idea. If someone had just given me one, I probably would have used it, but I didn't go out of my way to buy one. When training I say "good girl" to let her know she did it right and she will be rewarded. I also train her with treats when I take her on walks, runs, and in the park. I wouldn't want another thing to carry at those times.