I ordered the book 'Click to Calm' - among others. Sit, Stay had a book sale and free shipping through the 18th so I indulged. Here is where Mandy and I are with the clicker so far. I want to use the clicker to get me to a point where I can touch and leash her for walks and handling.
I have the i-click and am pleased with it. It was a little louder than I expected but Mandy very soon adapted to it. I went back into Karen Pryors archives on this site to figure out how to begin with Mandy because she is so noise sensitive. I did the exercise with the click, drop food in the bowl. In about three days she was eating the treats from the bowl in my presence. I have moved the bowl closer to me. I click when she walks toward me, drop the food in the bowl and she usually eats it immediately. In the past two days she has progressed to taking the food from my right hand, just after I click with my left. I am clicking for the following behaviors, looking at me and coming to me. No cues have been introduced for this yet.
I am thinking the next step is to click when she is beside me for longer than a couple seconds so she'll associate being beside me with good things. Am I right?
This has taken so long with her. Is this normal? I hope for a little extra guidance from the members who have dealt with such a fearful dog.