clickerwork: show me something new

[ClareB]

We should have a bit of a clicker challenge! someone could choose something to shape and see how we get on.

Me too

Great idea, I'd be up for that too.  My problem with clicker training is my lack of imagination!

[jla]

This is all really interesting.  I freeshape with my older dogs quite regularly but will admit that this is the first time I am doing it with a pup.

Reah's 16 weeks and I am trying to free shape a bow.  She will happily do it with a lure (at which point I have been clicking and treating) but I have had no luck (in three sessions) of her offering it freely.

Any suggestions?

[clairep4]

I've not really got onto shaping with this game yet, so far I'm just encouraging them (esp Zorro who's always been a bit afraid of experimenting) to try out different things. Bella's got it down to a tee, I was working with this cat scratching post which has 3 branches off it (like a mini tree) and a dangly toy. Bella targetted, very methodically:

middle of post
top of branch 1
bottom of branch 1
top of branch 2
bottom of branch 2
top of branch 3
bottom of branch 3
pulled on the dangly toy

she then thought "aha, I can do the same but paw them all" 

She's too clever, good job I'm not paying her in money or I'd be into a serious overdraft...   

I did discover though that she has really learned the difference between spin (clockwise circle) and twirl (anticlockwise), and she can now do spin/twirl/spin/twirl all on a row before getting a treat, she was going like a little whirling dervish   

[Top Barks]

To get you started how about picking up an item.
not sure where you guys are at with your training so what about something like a pen or spoon etc.
Or would you like me just to set you a challenge, not sure what you guys would view as difficult.

[Jessie_Pup]

Jessie's doing quite well on her clickerwork.  BUT big BUT  picking things up and retrieving is not one of her strong points the little minx. As soon as she can spit the object out she does.  Though my trainer was saying you should not use treats for retrieving, but I use them.

[Top Barks]

so do I

[Jessie_Pup]

I cannot get her to hold an item in her mouth. Have tried clicking her when she touches item with her nose or if she picks it up, but as soon as she knows she is going to get a treat she spits it out.   

[Top Barks]

Have you tried sitting down on a chair holding the item in front of your dog and shaping Jessie to take the item in her mouth?
Once she does regularly start to delay your click.

[Jessie_Pup]

Have you tried sitting down on a chair holding the item in front of your dog and shaping Jessie to take the item in her mouth?
Once she does regularly start to delay your click.

     

Thanks for that will give it a try.

[SkyeSue]

To get you started how about picking up an item.
not sure where you guys are at with your training so what about something like a pen or spoon etc.
Or would you like me just to set you a challenge, not sure what you guys would view as difficult.

I would be very happy for you to set the challenge Mark  tbh, I don't think it would matter what stage we are at with training, as long as the task set is gonna be fun! Even if we have problems with it, we will learn along the way, and as you always say, its about having fun with your dog, so bring on the Top Barks challenge is what I say 

[Jessie_Pup]

To get you started how about picking up an item.
not sure where you guys are at with your training so what about something like a pen or spoon etc.
Or would you like me just to set you a challenge, not sure what you guys would view as difficult.

I would be very happy for you to set the challenge Mark  tbh, I don't think it would matter what stage we are at with training, as long as the task set is gonna be fun! Even if we have problems with it, we will learn along the way, and as you always say, its about having fun with your dog, so bring on the Top Barks challenge is what I say 

Here Here

[clairep4]

Jessie-Pup, Bella's not a natural retriever either but I taught her to pick up toys and put them in a box (for the Superdog book, I only had 3 days to teach her it from scratch). So it's definitely possible, if Mrs "why would I want to pick up a manky toy" can do it, anyone can!

Mark, I think you should just set us something and then we can all see how we go.

[Jessie_Pup]

Jessie-Pup, Bella's not a natural retriever either but I taught her to pick up toys and put them in a box (for the Superdog book, I only had 3 days to teach her it from scratch). So it's definitely possible, if Mrs "why would I want to pick up a manky toy" can do it, anyone can!

Mark, I think you should just set us something and then we can all see how we go.

Yes, Jessie looks at me sometimes a look of complete disgust, like do you really want me to pick up this object  

[Top Barks]

Ok, how about pick up a designated toy and take it to a mat or a box?
who's up for it?

[SkyeSue]

Yep, we're up for having a go at least  Watch this space for getting it all wrong