"In dog training, jerk is a noun, not a verb." - Dr. Dennis Fetko
Tracy Buck -- Official Trainer for SCSR for over 25 years!
B.S., Certified Professional Dog Trainer, and Certified Trainer Partner with the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior
www.TracyBuck.com
tracymbuck@hotmail.com
Clicker Training
314-566-9038
Greater St. Louis Training Club
http://gsltc.org
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from Your Pet's Point of View
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/ian_dunbar_on_dog_friendly_dog_training.html
Look for a trainer who relies on positive reinforcement and positive training methods.
Observe an obedience class without your dog. Are the dogs and people having a good time? Talk with participants to see if they are comfortable with the trainer’s methods.
Don’t allow the trainer to work with your dog unless s/he tells you first exactly what they plan to do.
Don’t be afraid to tell a trainer to stop if s/he is doing something to your dog that you don’t like.
If a trainer tells you to do something that you don’t feel good about, don’t do it!
Avoid trainers who offer guaranteed results.
Avoid trainers who object to using food as a training reward. Food is an acceptable tool for positive reinforcement training.
Avoid trainers who use only choke chains/pinch collars.
Look for trainers who treat both people and dogs with respect.
Association of Pet Dog Trainers
Unsure how to pick the right trainer for your pet? Check out the Association of Pet Dog Trainers for guidelines to help you find the right trainer for your dog!
Before signing your dog up for an obedience class, ask to sit in on one of the trainer's class sessions. By doing this, you will be able to observe the trainer's style/method of teaching. You can then decide if you feel comfortable with the trainer's method, have confidence in the trainer's knowledge of obedience training, and if he/she understands dog behavior across all breeds/mixes of dogs. If not, find another trainer!
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What Is Clicker Training?
~~The click is a marker signal~~
Clicker training is a science-based system for teaching behavior with positive reinforcement. You use a marker signal (the sound of a toy clicker) to tell the animal (or person) when it's doing the thing that will pay off. The system was first widely used by dolphin trainers, who needed a way to teach behavior without using physical force.
~~No corrections or punishment~~
In traditional training, you tell an animal or person what to do, make that behavior happen (using force if necessary), reward good results, and punish mistakes. In clicker training you watch for the behavior you like, mark the instant it happens with a click, and pay off with a treat. The treat may be food, a pat, praise, or anything else the learner enjoys. If the learner makes a mistake all you do is wait and let them try again.
~~Replacing the clicker with praise~~
Clicker trainers focus on building behavior, not stopping behavior. Instead of yelling at the dog for jumping up, you click it for sitting. Instead of kicking the horse to make it go, you click it for walking. Then, click by click, you "shape" longer sits, or more walking, until you have the final results you want. Once the behavior is learned, you keep it going with praise and approval and save the clicker and treats for the next new thing you want to train.
~~Fun and exciting for pets and people~~
Dogs and other animals quickly learn that the marker signal means, "Something good is coming." Then they realize they can make you click by repeating their behavior. They become enthusiastic partners in their own training. In people, clicking reduces the need for correction and is especially useful for training physical skills. Clicker training is exciting for animals and fun for us. And it's easy to do. You might get results on the very first try!
Karen Pryor's Website
Created for Second Chance Sheltie Rescue
by Janice Mitchell
12 April 2015
"Your dog is always learning, even if you're not always training." - Shirley Chong
TAKE A BOW WOW ~~ Awsome DVD's to clicker train your dog at home! Clear, humorous approach to help you learn the basics of Clicker Training! Teaches basic manners and tricks!