How long, and how much?

[Puppy]

Hey guys! Okay I was wondering how long should I train with a clicker everyday. I was told 20 mins once a day... What is the best training routine? May I train constantly durring the day, or is it best not too?

[hunterisgreat]

As long as he's willing and eager... end the training while he still wants more. This is usually something around 15, but you'll have to make a call yourself by paying attention to his demeanor

[Elaine]

The younger the pup, the shorter their attention span, so the shorter the training periods. It's a better idea to many short training periods throughout the day rather than one big long one. You want to quit before your pup loses his enthouziasm.

[hunterisgreat]

It'll also change day to day... some days he may never want to stop.. some days you'll never even really start before you call it for the day

[selzer]

Start with five minutes and build up the time. 20 minutes is a long time. 5-10 minute training sessions are great, even for adult dogs.

Always end training on a positive note.

Set up the dog to succeed and praise him for it. The alternative is to set him up to fail and correct him for it. You can get there either way, but the former is more enjoyable.

[MaggieRoseLee]

Originally Posted by selzer

Start with five minutes and build up the time. 20 minutes is a long time. 5-10 minute training sessions are great, even for adult dogs.

Always end training on a positive note.

Set up the dog to succeed and praise him for it. The alternative is to set him up to fail and correct him for it. You can get there either way, but the former is more enjoyable.

I train like selzer and also think 20 minutes is kind of a long time. Unless that included quite a few rousing games of tug/fetch in between the stuff with the clicker....

You always want to leave them standing there wanting more!

[doggiedad]

i didn't clicker train but i use to train in sessions.
each session last 5 or 10 minutes. i would get up
an hour earlier for work i would get up at 4am or 4:30 am
and train the pup. between 4:00 am and 6:15 am i would
have 3 or 4 sessions. my GF would get up an hour
earlier and have 3 or 4 sessions. so, before 9:00 am
our pup would have 6 to 8 sessions. between noon and 5:00 pm
another 6 to 8 sessions. between 6:00 pm and 11:00/12:00 pm
another 6 to 8 sessions. keep in mind each session last for
5 to 10 minutes. we trained one thing at a time.

[Puppy]

Good morning to all of you! Thanks for the help! When you guys say to end on a positive note? Does that mean like tossing him a toy at the end? What if I durring the day I need to ask him to "sit", and he has been only told to sit durring the training lessons should I bring a clicker and treats around all day? I taught my cat to sit, and wave. Now I find him standing up waving hoping that I would give him a treat throughout the day. So what if my dog starts doing the same? Should I click, and give him a treat even I did not ask it?

[FG167]

I also train like Selzer

Originally Posted by Puppy

Good morning to all of you! Thanks for the help! When you guys say to end on a positive note? Does that mean like tossing him a toy at the end? What if I durring the day I need to ask him to "sit", and he has been only told to sit durring the training lessons should I bring a clicker and treats around all day? I taught my cat to sit, and wave. Now I find him standing up waving hoping that I would give him a treat throughout the day. So what if my dog starts doing the same? Should I click, and give him a treat even I did not ask it?

Ending on a positive note means to end it when he's done a good job on what you're asking. So, if you're asking for a sit and you've been luring and it's been difficult and he does it more quickly or, even better, offers it before you lure - then end it right there with a big party (lots of small treats - jackpotting - or a toy is also fantastic). You want to end on that versus if they're doing something not entirely correct and you're having to reposition or remind them - that's not a good note to end. You want to end with them succeeding!

No, you don't need to bring clicker and treats around lol. If you're going for a walk then it might be good - or bring a toy if he's toy driven because it's easier to tote around. If you don't ask for something and they offer it at an appopriate time, praise is fine. The clicker is for marking something you DID ask for. You can replace with a word marker if you end up asking for something and you don't have your clicker with you - I use "yes" as a marker and "good boy!" as praise.

[Puppy]

I'm happy that I don't have to bring treats around all the time!!
I would end up smelling like a dog magnet!!Thanks once again every body your replies where really helpful for me!