I was introduced to clicker training by a woman that uses it to rehabilitate rescued abused horses, mules, donkeys, etc. I ordered the kit and i have been using for my dogs, Alice my 3 yr old doxie, Daisy my 8 year old cocker/beagle, and my 10 week old puppy Maura, a lab/english mastiff. I have been using a home made target, a thick dowl rod and a tennis ball. They get very excited now after only a week of use when they see me get out the target. I have a fast sucsess with all three dogs, but i was hoping to train Maura differently. I am a member of a search and rescue team, and i wanted to start training Maura with the clicker method for searching and tracking. Does anyone know any training ideas, or have any advice?? What methods have been used by you? Does anyone know of any books?? Thanks!
regarding age
As long as you remember that the little puppy will have a very short attention span, you can start some foundation work now. Just keep your sessiosn very very short, perhaps only 2 - 3 minutes! short sessions several times a day is better than one long session.
I am sure you will also find that the clicker is brilliant for all the basics that your little pup need to learn - like walking nicely etc.
Christina
Short sessions
I have been doing very short clicker sessions with her, but it is a special challenge since i have two other dogs she would rather play with. Even when i put them somewhere else entirely, she looks for them!! I am also having a real problem finding treats that won't give her an upset tummy. Praise works to an extent, but she seems to respond to treats much better.
Funny you should ask
Actually I just read about that at Aidan Bindoff's website, Positive petzine.
These two articles are about nosework:
http://positivepetzine.com/tracking_nosework
http://positivepetzine.com/node/160
The latter is number three in a series on conditioned reinforcers, you might want to read all three. Don't worry they are short, and an easy read. ;o)
Christina
Hey thanks!
Thank you very much. I am hoping she isnt too young!!