Testing "Touch" and cleaning up Level 1

I went through all the e-mails I had been compiling from the Yahoo Group "Training Levels" and found a few from me back in January when I was training Baron. Back then there was a long conversation about how Baron didn't look "in the game" and what could be done about it.

I feel Baron is more in the game now for sure but even though I think and received confirmation that he passed Level 1 I would like to work a bit on tighten up his responses to cues.

Also since I've been back I have found that Sue eh? has published her new Training Levels in book form and they are different then the old Training Levels. I have put in an order for a hard copy and I want to go through Level 1 via. her book instead.

Something I found while browsing through all those old emails was this comment.

To answer your original question! -- How can you test if Baron really knows what "touch" means?

Stand silently, without stick and without holding out your hand. Have clicker and a treat in hand, behind your back, so he can't cue off of an involuntary hand twitch. Say, Baron, touch! See if he looks around excitedly for something to touch (such as your hand). If he just stands there, or if he offers another behavior (such as a sit or a down or whatever), he doesn't know the cue.

I think I'll put Baron to the test tonight to see how he acts. I actually anticipate he will offer another behavior if not instead but when I don't provide him a target.

This is MY fault. I am not a good trainer unfortunately but I would like to be. I receive a ton advice from people and sometimes all of it gets jumbled up in my head and no two people really do things the same all the time. So one of my goals before I try to start working on Level II is to first work on retraining / training me. Go back to practicing clicking and clicker timing. I also want to practice and get into the habit of breaking down exactly what I want a cue to mean. Not knowing this myself I think I confuse my poor dog. Then I want to go over Level 1 again.

Click Practice

I've been practicing my clicker timing, this is my second time I've practiced clicking on Sinia and Taelia but I can see that I'm still a bit slow. I feel I need more work before I work with Baron. I better work more on it this week as January 8th is our first Obedience class.

Here is Sinia


and here is Taelia

Learn Clicker Timing

I have learned that I seriously need more structure and basic training on clicking.  So I'm starting at  the very basics of clicker training which probably is to know when to click and how to reward.  I received very good feedback and suggestions from the Clicker Solutions Yahoo Group.

The following are suggestions I have received for practice with clicking.

Raegan Walter  wrote:
  I think there's a lot of pressure to get it all right at once, but
I've found it helps to split aspects of MY behavior instead of
expecting it all to be excellent right away. Everything is dog
training. :) So instead of trying to get your vocals right, your
clicks more precise, and your treat delivery faster, all while trying
to train at the same time, spend five minutes clicking a bouncing
tennis ball. The click-freeze-drop an M&M in a bowl for 25 M&Ms and
every one you get right you get to eat. <G>

On Thu, Dec 30, 2010 at 9:35 AM, <Phyllis Dorrough > wrote:
  A trick I like to use to practice "clicking" is to watch a DVD with the remote
control in hand, and use the pause button to "click" behaviors. It helps me to
watch for signs of eminent behavior, and lets me look at how I've done --
allowing for the delay in the pause control, of course. And I can do it with my
dog laying by my feet without confusing the poor dog with a ton of clicks that
aren't related to his behavior. I can mute the sound and use just the visual as
well.

and

I usually use one of the dog training videos, so I'm actually able to click dog
behavior. Or something I recorded from TV, and I'll click during commercials,
especially ones I've seen before so I have an idea what behavior I can be
looking for.

 

On Thu, Dec 30, 2010 at 1:24 PM, Anne Delcos <> wrote:

One clicking exercise that I've tried- takes two people though- have
someone tap you on the shoulder- (they need to be positioned where you
cannot see them)- they tap you click- there should not be any set
pattern of tapping-

Hope this helps- anne