I need help!! I want to start clicker training with three kittens I have rescued, but I'm not sure what to do first. They are about 5-6 weeks old, eat solid food. I've gathered from what I've read that I need to teach a tag target - go to mat. How and when do you teach them their names? Do I start with the clicker - means food; then go to the tag item for a click/food; then use the tag item to point them to what I want (like the mat)? I'm totally lost. I also have two older cats (3 yrs) and the female isn't really friendly with the kittens. The male is curious, and trying to play with their toys and tails through the ferret kennel I have them in while I'm at work. Although he has hissed at them a few times. Any help and/or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Mary Ann
regarding the stick
no I shape the animal to go to the mat, then slowly move the mat further and further away.
The way I use a stick is as a target, meaning that the sight of the stick is the cue for the animal to put it's nose on the end of the stick. So pointing with the stick would be confusing for the animal.
Did that help?
Christina
Thanks Christina. Sorry it
Thanks Christina. Sorry it took so long, I couldn't figure out how to reply or post a new blog. This time it went right here.
Do you use the stick to train to the mat? Like pointing the stick at the mat after they get the basic clicker/treat down?
here is
a few good articles from around this site to help get you started:
http://www.clickertraining.com/15tips
http://www.clickertraining.com/node/289
http://www.clickertraining.tv/product.html?item=FREE-01
http://www.clickertraining.com/node/20
The third one is a free clicker video, you might want to browse around that section.
Best of luck getting started
Christina