Home » Library » Enjoy » Success Stories

I Didn't Plan to Be a Clicker Trainer But...

Filed in - Success Stories

From Emily S.:

I was recently asked to do a brief introduction of myself and tell how I started clicker training to a internet discussion board. I had to think back, and when I did I remembered how I first started. I laughed.

I met you at a conference in Feb. 1999. I was supposed to attend another lecture, but I got the wrong room. I ended up in your lecture. I didn't want to be rude, so I stayed. I was a compulsion trainer at the time. I had no clue who you were, and I didn't think the methods you were teaching would ever work. I discussed this with you, and at the end of our discussion you gave me a book and a clicker. (I think you were probably just short of shooting me, and keeping my dog...LOL). You gave me food for thought.

I took the book home, and didn't read it for a while. (I was still thinking that this foo-foo stuff would never work on my Rottweilers!) After researching this whole positive reinforcement/clicker thing I still wasn't sold. (Silly me!) So, to prove you wrong I got out my oldest Rottweiler. He hated training. (I now know why!) I gathered my clicker and treats. We went into the livingroom, and I started playing with this new concept. In about an hour we had learned some simple behaviors. I was amazed how I was able to keep his attention. I was amazed how eager he was to learn, and I was amazed how this "crazy Karen Pryor lady" was right! You sold me!

I owe my whole eye opening experience all to you, and I wanted to thank you. You changed the trainer that I was, the person that I am, and you repaired my relationship with my dog! I have since thrown away all of my prong/correction collars. I have been using this method since about 4 weeks after our discussion. I have used it on over 100 rescue dogs that I have rehomed.

This method is wonderful, and I can't even imagine going back. We all smile now when we train. Me and the dog! It dawned on me today that I never got a chance to thank you, or even let you know that I converted! After my intro yesterday, and receiving my new copy of Don't Shoot the Dog today I thought I would write you and tell you thank you so much. You changed my life. I think my next book purchase will be your "Click to Win!" I have yet to train my conformation dogs using a clicker. Hmm... more food for thought.

Best always and thank you again,

Emily
Nautique "Brenmar's Fyr N Ice Ski Nautique, CGC, TDI, HIT" (Belgian Tervuren)
Aidan "Sarron's White Christmas" (Belgian Sheepdog)
Chai " Brenmar's Child of Freedom, CGC" (Belgian Tervuren)
Buddy (Geriatric Dachshund)
Flynn (Brand New Rescue Border Collie)

Post new comment

  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <embed> <object> <div>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Glossary terms will be automatically marked with links to their descriptions. If there are certain phrases or sections of text that should be excluded from glossary marking and linking, use the special markup, [no-glossary] ... [/no-glossary]. Additionally, these HTML elements will not be scanned: a, abbr, acronym, code, pre.
  • Each email address will be obfuscated in a human readable fashion or (if JavaScript is enabled) replaced with a spamproof clickable link.

More information about formatting options

To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty.