Clicker Training- Why I chose it
December 17, 2002
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about dogs and dog classes and results from dog classes. For a long time now I haven’t been happy with the product that is leaving the classes. Many dogs cannot walk on a loose lead. Many owners are still frustrated with their dogs at least some of the time. Many owners still blame their dogs for the problems they have whether at class or in a ring situation. I’ve felt for a long time that the problem is never with the dog but always with the human half of the team. Certainly we have introduced motivation to the classes and the idea of having fun with your dog while learning but there still is a long way to go.
As an educator all these many years and an expert in communication as a teacher of the deaf I have always been goal driven, You set a goal and then a list of objectives to reach that goal. If the goal is not achieved then the fault is with me the teacher and not my student…ditto the dogs. What is wrong? Why don’t they get it? Can the child/ dog get it without yelling, making angry faces and/or gestures, threats etc. Of course the answer is yes. It is my responsibility to help achieve the goal through support, explanation, demonstration, and motivation. Behavior that is unacceptable by the child/ dog is discouraged! How! By ignoring the behavior and not rewarding it with attention, time out, attention paid to the good moments and sincere praise and motivation.
Some people choose to use the word “ bribe” when talking about teaching dogs….funny how semantics can alter a perception. I equate bribery with the dark side of life. A bribe tries to get me to do something that I would never do under any circumstances .It might be an ethical dilemma. It may be a physical action but it is NOT a good thing. Motivation, on the other hand is a good thing. It encourages me to do more of what I already do anyway.It is a reward for a good job done. Sometimes it is a compliment, often a raise, more vacation pay, and a day off as time in lieu. Very positive for all involved. That is how I look at food or play etc when training. It is motivation. Sometimes used as a lure…. you will get this when you do that and at other times it is a reward for work completed. Still, even with this understanding I was not able to achieve the goals that I had set for myself in relation to dog training.
Several years ago I became very interested in clicker training. But it got pushed to the back of my mind as I worked on fun, play and motivation to the best of my ability. I wanted to change the negative connotation that dog training had for many people. It was not an adversarial situation but rather a team of two species trying to work together in harmony. Again, this goal was not achieved to the point that I wanted. What the heck was missing?
Then about two years ago I started to read about clicker training again. Books were purchased and websites investigated. It became more and more intriguing to me. There was something to this. I tried to talk to some people about it but felt that there was very little reciprocal interest at the time. So, what to do. I decided last spring to go to Truro once a week to work with Heather Logan and the women at the Nova Institute. What I learned and saw there was unbelievable. These women did not have 1/10 of the dog knowledge that I had but their dogs were better trained than any that I had ever trained myself. Not only better trained but also happy and anxious to do the work with full attention. What was going on? As I started to use the technique on my Dylan I couldn’t believe what was happening. There was no stress; he was doing the behaviors himself and getting rewarded for it. Then he began to ask me to train him at home. It really was working and the doubts I had started to leave. I was so excited but my enthusiasm did not communicate itself well to other dog people. So I again started to wonder if I was right about this way of training or not. After all, Heather does give seminars to AVC. I read many positive comments from renowned dog people about this training so I kept delving into it. It was used successfully with a biting dog to teach him a new behavior very quickly. I became more convinced. Then I asked Heather to come down and do the seminar. Those who attended seemed amazed at what her dogs were doing and the application of the laws of learning were obvious. I became more convinced and wanted to try this on some other dogs to see if it would work or not.
In November, I had a puppy class where we used clickers. It was successful for participants and puppies. Sure there are some kinks to iron out but only through trying can the success or failure of this training be assessed. The biggest breakthrough that I noted was that every time a puppy did something incorrectly, the handler always said something like….Oh, Oh, that was my fault, I wasn’t fast enough. I was too slow; I rewarded the wrong behavior. They took responsibility and never blamed the pup. They were walking on loose leads and one 11-year-old boy had a beagle walking on a loose lead and really paying attention to him. Everyone had fun and want to continue. Does that mean it is the way to go? Of course not for everyone but for me….yes. I need to try to see if it is the answer that I have been looking for.I owe it to the dogs and people that I try to help and to myself. If I’m wrong then I will be the first to admit that and take my lumps. But , I don’t think I am!!!!!!!!!
Ann Marie Leadbeater CAPPDT