Clicker training - my trainer said no.....

[jm513]

We've had Jedi in "puppy training" for a month now. It has gone fine I guess, no major complaints and no major shouts of horray - we're getting the basics.....sort of. I have run into an issue though. His trainer has said not to use a clicker. Her rationalization was that you don't always have one handy so a word is the better thing to use. Ok - I can understand that, but isn't the whole point of the clicker that you start using that and then add in the vocal command? Anyway.....we've been having some issues with "leave it" and her way of teaching us to teach them has not been working well. So....I went and bought a clicker. I had already watched the video of the guy using a clicker and hot dog with the little puppy and working on leave it so I did that with Jedi - and it was magic. I freaking love this clicker. He left steak on the floor 2 feet away from him.

So my question - anyone have any nice ways of broaching the topic with his trainer? I don't want to offend her, but I do want to do what works best for us. I am also pretty sure I won't be allowed to use the clicker in training class so not sure how to go about that.

[Girth]

I've always been one for the direct approach. Tell her how you feel and you want to incorporate a clicker in Jedi's training. I have no problem with going to a different technique/trainer if the current one is not prodcucing the desired result.

[Jax08]

There is no reason why you can't train with both. Have a word you use for a marker. I use the clicker when I'm fine tuning a command or teaching a new one but usually mark with Yes!

[RocketDog]

How long is your class? Just finish it out and find a new one, is what I personally would do.

Clickers, while not applicable for some training situations I would imagine (such as working dog stuff, etc) are EXCELLENT for basic obedience, tricks, and puppy stuff. Especially puppies--it really opens the line of communication and bonding with your dog. Obviously it's possible to successfully train dogs without them, as people did forever, but it's so much more clear to a dog. I think it really sets them up, because they learn they can actually figure it out and please you and in the end, it's all about the relationship.

Edit: our puppy class had us start with "YES!" then graduate to clicker training, and we still use yes with it too. (When no clicker is present). The yes just kind of helps start the relationship going.

[Rott-n-GSDs]

Originally Posted by jm513

His trainer has said not to use a clicker. Her rationalization was that you don't always have one handy so a word is the better thing to use.

My trainer said the same thing... with the same rationalization. I actually thought the same way, until I picked up the book "The Power of Positive Dog Training" by Pat Miller. GREAT read!

The clicker actually seems to more effectively mark the behavior you're looking for. It is a sharp, precise, distinctive sound. There is no mistaking what it means, because it sounds the same each and every time.

[Marnie]

Your trainer is probably old school, as am I. She has always taught with words instead of props. Whatever works for you but it does seem disrespectful to insist on a clicker when she wants you to use words. Go to another trainer or another club that uses the method you prefer. It would be hard for her to monitor different training methods in her group, especially since she may not like clickers.

[Caledon]

The guy I'm going to now does not train with a clicker. I'm still training with one, but will not bring it to class.

I use yes as a marker when I don't have my clicker. She gets it.

[jm513]

Originally Posted by Marnie

Your trainer is probably old school, as am I. She has always taught with words instead of props. Whatever works for you but it does seem disrespectful to insist on a clicker when she wants you to use words. Go to another trainer or another club that uses the method you prefer. It would be hard for her to monitor different training methods in her group, especially since she may not like clickers.

This is my problem - I certainly don't want to be disrespectful to her - I know she is teaching what she knows has worked. I have no problem with this, Jedi just really responded to the clicker and I like it. We only have 2 classes left so I figure we should finish it out then I'll switch. I have no problem not taking a clicker into her class since I know she doesn't want to use them, but do you think this will interfere in what we're doing at home? Will the 1 hour not using the clicker undo the work we're doing using one?

[jm513]

Originally Posted by Caledon

The guy I'm going to now does not train with a clicker. I'm still training with one, but will not bring it to class.

I use yes as a marker when I don't have my clicker. She gets it.

ah, you beat me and answered my question! Jedi knows "Yes" since that's what we've been doing for the past month anyway, so if I can do class without the clicker and still use it at home, that's fine!

[Cassidy's Mom]

As others have said, you can use both a clicker AND a verbal marker. I've always used both - sometimes I don't have a clicker handy but I'd like to mark and reward a behavior that my dog spontaneously offered up, so they need to understand my verbal marker as well. In that case, I'd say "yes!" and then go to the cabinet and get a treat. I don't think it's disrepectful to use a clicker if your trainer doesn't like them, in fact I think it's a little disrespectful of your trainer to dismiss a proven method that you're interested in trying based on her own biases. It's a much more precise marker, and you only need to have it on you when you're actively training.

That being said, I would leave the clicker at home and use a verbal marker in class, so as not to be disruptive. I wouldn't hide the fact that I use one, but there's no reason to be in her face about it either.