Boston clicker trainer MaryAnn Callahan and I just returned from the National UK Clicker Challenge, in England. Kay Laurence, founder of Learning About Dogs, Ltd., and Teaching Dogs magazine, originated the idea and began holding local Clicker Challenges in England a couple of years ago.
Competition
Performance Jitters
By Kay Laurence on 05/01/2002If the learning is sufficiently shaped and reinforced to the best it can be, and reliability is achieved at this level; and if, then, this standard is attached to a new "performance cue", then there is no reason for the dog to give a reduced quality or reliability in show circumstances unless the stress level has gone beyond the dog's self management. Even then asking the dog for a strong, favourite behavior can reduce the stress significantly.
Morgan Spector Tells Beginners: Enjoy the Trip!
By KPCT on 01/01/2002Recently our author Morgan Spector was the guest on the Clicker Solutions Dog Book Review list, discussing his book Clicker Training for Obedience. Toward the end of a month of answering questions he responded to a post from a newcomer with such thoughtful and useful encouragement that we would like to share it with all of you. Here it is, with permission:
Click to Win: Clicker Training for the Show Ring
By KPCT on 01/01/2002Win more this season, with Karen Pryor's new book Click to Win! Clicker Training for the Show Ring! How can you make your dog look great in the show ring—every time? To self-stack, gait on a loose leash, prick his ears, and gaze warmly at the judge—all on cue? With the insight and experience of the world's leading clicker trainer in Click to Win!
Click to Win: Foreword
By KPCT on 01/01/2002For many years, my family and I have had the good fortune of traveling to the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas. It is a glorious part of the world-as close to paradise as you can imagine-and we pray that time passes quickly from the end of one trip to the start of next. Life changes refreshingly little in these islands, but on our arrival several years ago, we heard about something new and exciting that was going on up at Baker's Bay, a 40-minute boat ride from where we were staying: a group of behavioral scientists had set up a dolphin training center and the public was welcome to come and watch them work. Not only that, there were times of the day when you could swim with the dolphins in their in-ocean netted enclosure. That's all we had to hear.
