Clicker or no Click?

[Ariyahn]

Hey guys seen alot of people use the clicker,

wondering

1) should i use a clicker for me GSD?
2) use my voice rather?


Any advise from all you experienced GSD owners would be much appreciated.

Respectfully,

Ari.

[Cassidy's Mom]

Here are some previous discussions about clickers that you can read: German Shepherd Dog Forums - Search Results

[kiya]

Clicker

[BlackGSD]

I've never had a problem training a puppy/dog with NO clicker. Never used one, never will.

[BlackPuppy]

Originally Posted by kiya

Clicker

I've tried both and the clicker is the best. BUT, you need to practice before trying it on the dog. Timing is everything.

[Clyde]

Read up on marker training! Whether you decide to go with the clicker or not marker training is awesome. You can use "yes" instead of a click as your marker which is okay for some behaviours but not as accurate for the more complicated behaviours.

[ayoitzrimz]

A clicker is just another marker that you condition the dog to mean he did something right and rewards are coming. Theoretically, a dog can be conditioned to anything from a click, to a clap, to a word.

There is research that suggests that the sound the clicker makes bypasses something or other in the brain and thus is more direct to the reward center in the dog. Take this with a grain of salt and do your research because I will not find any sort of proof to back up my claims but it's something I remember reading about.

With that said, I think it comes down to personal preference. I never used a clicker but instead conditioned my dog that the word "Ok" means a release and reward is coming. I just find that when using balls or tugs as rewards the clicker gets in my way and I dont always have it with me (but I always have my voice).

This is just _my_ opinion. I was able to get pretty complex behaviors out of my dog without the clicker so it can be done with or without.

In the end it's what feels most comfortable for you.

Also remember, clicker or no clicker in the end its all about your timing

[martemchik]

I used a clicker in the beginning and I think training went faster for sits/downs and the simple things. But we went to voice rewards very quickly as it was a PIA to have a clicker on you at all times. Even when you just tell them to sit outside of a training session, at a young age you want to click, and if you dont' have one you're kind of lost. It works well, but is a pain to carry around and have when you want to have a quick 5 minute training session.

[N Smith]

I've tried both and will never use a clicker again, its just another thing you have to remember to have on you at all times (training occurs everyday in my house anyway) and hold.

I use a "Yes" voice marker. I have also found that using a word allows you to emit more emotion in your marker, tone of voice is a huge tool when it comes to training. That enthusiastic "Yes" has so much power, that I really feel a "clicK' just can't get across.

I am a dog trainer for a dog obedience school that has been in business for 20+ years, not once have they used clickers. We see 40-60 dogs a week in the winter and more in the summer, all of these dogs are trained with voice markers and we have never had a dog who had any issues learning with the vocal marker.

[dOg]

the dogs can understand and do both...
your voice can't be as consistent.
it's just a tool.