Steve Benjamin of Clicking with Canines sent us a great piece from the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin that discusses clicker training in depth. Unfortunately, the newspaper's website archives all articles over 7 days, so I can't link directly to it, but here are some highlights:
"Welcome to primate training for canines! Instead of telling your dog what to do, let your dog show you what he or she is capable of!"
With those words, Steve Benjamin alerts visitors to his Web site that they're about to learn new tricks where dogs are concerned.
The site, www.clickingwithcanines.com, also introduces his research and development staff: Cougar, Nickel and Kara, the three four-footed friends who share his Town of Binghamton home.
They live in what can only be called Dog Heaven. Fourteen wooded acres with a pond to splash in -- and with a person who tries to see the world through their eyes and thus foster communication with them.
Benjamin, 52, is certified in what's called clicker training, though the clicker isn't a permanent part of the relationship between dog and person.
"The clicker actually bridges that language barrier between us and all other animals," he says. "For instance, the dog has to figure out that a 'sit' will result in a click (followed by a small treat)."
Once the dog understands he can obtain treats when he complies with his person's wishes, he can be trained easily to do almost anything.
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And that's what this theory of canine training is all about, Benjamin says. If you don't want the dog on the couch, give him a better option. If you want him to come when you call, make it worth his while. Punishment doesn't teach long-term behavior; it merely halts whatever's going on at that moment. Giving the dog the ability to choose, while making sure the most appealing choice to him is the action you want him to take, is what results in a companionable canine.
It's all about respecting your dog for the intelligent creature he is -- but realizing you're a different kind of creature and he can't think the way you do. No dog can ignore a chicken carcass plopped within easy reach in a garbage can -- but a smart human like yourself should know enough not to leave the garbage out.
Treena Vavra, administrator of the Humane Society, raves about Benjamin and his generosity to the shelter. Since he began training their dogs last winter, dog adoptions have increased significantly, she says.
"He gets our dogs walking nice on a leash," she says. "And he offers a discount (on training classes) to people who adopt dogs from us. He has donated harnesses and special toys. It's amazing, the stuff he has done."
A click! to Steve Benjamin for getting this great piece on clicker training out there. Thanks for sending it in! And remember, if you want to see your story here, blog [at] clickertraining [dot] com (send us your press mentions) and we'll be happy to tell the clicker training community.
