So my previous rescues have not been the type of dogs that clickers could be used. one is soooo badly abused that it has taken 5 years to get some semblance of normal. the last one is deaf. I did use a similar thing called a visual clicker (thumbs up) but I didn't do much with it. it was used more as a good! than a clicker... well kinda the same thing I guess lol. Scout is very OCD about lights so a flashlight or a lazer pointer can't be used as a visual clicker. I just adopted a Terrier mix. he has an amazing story. but basically he came to me because they thought he was deaf, and he is horribly dog aggressive and cat aggressive. He was a stray in the worst part of Houston, Texas. well, he ended up with me, 1800 miles away in Alberta Canada. it turns out he is not deaf, it was an allergy to a bad flea infestation. and I have been able to get his dog aggression out of him. I haven't introduced cats yet....
I am mostly just training manners right now, and using NILIF (nothing in life is free). but I have started loading a clicker. I have used it to work with his sit, down and shake a paw. it seems to be working really well. he looks immediately for a treat when I click. I just want to know if I am doing it right. I started by saying his name and clicking when he looked at me then treat immediately. after a few days of this, then I started asking for a sit. I clicked as soon as his butt hit the ground. after a few more days of both, I introduced the down, luring him into it and clicking as soon as his elbows hit then treat immediately. tonight I introduced the shake a paw, clicking as soon as his paw hit my hand, then holding it for a second, then giving the treat. He is doing well, but I am still having to half lure the down, but it's only been a couple of days, and as Ollie is only 6 months old, i am keeping his training short. a couple of times a day. I also take him for socialization to a pet store a couple of times on the weekends. I use the clicker when he is there as well.
Is this appropriate? am I doing it right? is there anything else I should be doing before adding more commands? I have no problems with my deaf dog, she is amazing and I have done demo's with her on deaf dogs. she knows 43 signs and is one amazing dog. I dont see having any issues with Oliver (it should be easier for him as he can hear lol) but I want to do it right from the start, and not have to retrain if I screw up.
Thanks for your help
I am mostly just training manners right now, and using NILIF (nothing in life is free). but I have started loading a clicker. I have used it to work with his sit, down and shake a paw. it seems to be working really well. he looks immediately for a treat when I click. I just want to know if I am doing it right. I started by saying his name and clicking when he looked at me then treat immediately. after a few days of this, then I started asking for a sit. I clicked as soon as his butt hit the ground. after a few more days of both, I introduced the down, luring him into it and clicking as soon as his elbows hit then treat immediately. tonight I introduced the shake a paw, clicking as soon as his paw hit my hand, then holding it for a second, then giving the treat. He is doing well, but I am still having to half lure the down, but it's only been a couple of days, and as Ollie is only 6 months old, i am keeping his training short. a couple of times a day. I also take him for socialization to a pet store a couple of times on the weekends. I use the clicker when he is there as well.
Is this appropriate? am I doing it right? is there anything else I should be doing before adding more commands? I have no problems with my deaf dog, she is amazing and I have done demo's with her on deaf dogs. she knows 43 signs and is one amazing dog. I dont see having any issues with Oliver (it should be easier for him as he can hear lol) but I want to do it right from the start, and not have to retrain if I screw up.
Thanks for your help