March 30th Update--price and value

[Adina P]

We're getting really close to starting (April 7th) and Tuesday March 31st you will have the chance to take the 7-day mini course which gives a great overview of clicker training and what it's about.

I want to take a moment to touch on some questions and potential concerns you might have:

1) What does it cost? The course is $49.95 -- far less costly than pretty much any clicker class you can find. It costs $109 to take a class at PetSmart and classes in other facilities go for as much as $300 or more. So it's a great deal in this economy and you don't have to drive anywhere for class!

PLUS you'll have our huge group of doodle lovers for:
--support
--accountability
--regular discussions
--problem solving

2) What if you're already taking classes with your doodle or want to?
Clicker training is ideally done as a sole means of training -- it's very unique and doesn't really FIT with other methods. It's a paradigm shift. That said, you may still find it fun and useful if you teach different things via clicker than you are teaching for your regular class. If you are thinking of taking a clicker class in the future...this will give you an EXCELLENT foundation of understanding and learning to develop your skills.

3) My puppy won't be here for another week...will he/she be too young?
Clicker training is wonderful for puppies...can't start a new pup too young. In fact pups are such sponges for learning that they often pick it up better than older dogs!

4) WHERE will this training take place? Is it just online?
Training will take place where you want it to. Probably in your home to start and you can gradually go anywhere you want your dog to respond.
WE will convene here regularly to discuss lessons and progress, questions, moral support, and if ANY of you live close to one another you are welcome to meet together and help each other improve your skills!

If anyone has any other concerns or questions...please let me know!
Tomorrow (Tue March 31) you'll get the link to the FREE 7-day mini-course which will answer A LOT of your burning questions =) Do TAKE the mini-course!

WE WILL HAVE SO MUCH FUN =)

[Bev and WILLY]

Thanks Adina. Looking forward to starting. If anyone is in the Fullerton, CA area, I would love to meet and train with you at some point..

[fergie11]

Adina = I want to do this (I think) with my new puppy, Lucy. What if we get to the point that we want to compete in some kind of obedience rally stuff or stuff like that. My question is does the dog get so used to that clicker that they don't listen if you don't have it. What if I'm at the park and I don't have my clicker? What if my DH or Dkids are out with her and they don't have the clicker? That is my biggest concern about clicker training? Is this something I shouldn't be concerned about?

[Adina P]

The clicker is a tool you will use to TEACH. Once the behavior is taught and proofed...you don't need the clicker for that behavior. The clicker is not something the dog obeys, in other words any more than the dog obeys a collar or treat. It is a tool for learning.

But if you go to the park FOR CLICKER training (for training in a new environment) it is a good idea to bring one with you. Plus they are cheap so you can buy one to keep in the car, one at home, and your DH can have one too. I wouldn't let the kids use it until YOU are good at it or unless they can read along the lesson plan with you. There is skill involved...skill you will get better at as you go...like any other training.

Finally, they do teach you how to use a verbal marker too if you decide you don't like using the physical clicker (the principles of training are the KEY more than the physical clicker....though in my opinion it is easier to be consistent with a clicker that ALWAYS sounds the same).

So yeah...no worries. Try the 7-day mini course that's free (will announce later today) and you'll see what it's like--a GLIMPSE.

[Paul & Michele]

Thank you for replying so fast, I understand it a little better now. I just wasn't to sure about doing it if molly was always going to need the clicker to obey when asked to do something. Thanks again and I'm looking forward to the class!!!!

[Adina P]

It's a bit of a different paradigm than the typical "I'm boss...YOU obey me!" model.
The philosophy of Clicker training is about getting the dog involved in and loving learning so that they WANT to get it right and they become conditioned to the behavior you are teaching. The clicker is a means to communicate to the dog as they are figuring out what you want that 'that right there? that is what I want!" It becomes very rewarding and fun so they want to do it and with practice they learn to want it in more and more situations.

[Doodle Kisses]

PS...clicker training is EXCELLENT for agility and rally! In fact it is quite popular in those circles :)
I know several doodle owners who compete using clicker training as their training.

[Sandy]

We are currently in training with Toby, and the classes we are using do not use a clicker. I'm afraid that I may mess him up if I train one way for class, and another way with the clicker. I guess maybe I won't be able to participate in Spring Training, but in a way, we're in spring training already. :)

[Adina P]

At LEAST try the FREE 7-day course I'm announcing later today. I would say you CAN still do it, but you'll just have to focus on different things than class. For example...in class you'll do sit, stay, down, heel, etc....so in our 'class' you can work on getting Toby to be fluent in clicker stuff and work on tricks or other things that typical obedience classes don't deal with.

[Paul & Michele]

Hi Adina, I just started the training class at Petco and was going to do this also but, my concern with the clicker is what if you are someplace and don't have it with you....is your dog just going to ignore you because he or she will be waiting for the click?

[Adina P]

The clicker is for teaching...it's a tool that you use WHILE you teach. So if you're not done teaching something you probably wouldn't want to try it in public anyway. There are also other verbal things you can teach your dog to respond to like the clicker.

[Holly Paterniti]

Adina,

Do we need to buy a clicker? I was not sure if we needed to.

[Adina P]

Eventually...I'll let you know about that later when I give out the info on the mini-course.