Clicking

So we started the clicker training earlier this week. We means Kimmy and I of course :) I bought this book, and it's a pretty good manual on how to start and what I like about it most is that each exercise is depicted in clear, tidy pictures (drawings), and the author explains exactly how to get the dog to do the exercise, and when exactly to click.

First I needed to "charge the clicker", that means, let Kimmy know what the clicking meant, and let her create an association between the click sound and a treat. This I did by practicing commands she already knew, like sit and down, and clicking and treating her every time she did what I asked her to do.

Then I progressed to trying something new, curious to see if she will really do what the book said she would.

I started with a take it/leave it exercise. I showed her that I had a treat in my hand, then closed the hand to form a fist, and pretty much shoved it under her nose. The book said:

The dog will try to get the treat from you. He can push, nibble, or lick. When he gives up (looks away or backs away), click and open your hand for him to take the treat.

Don't say anything to your dog when you first start this game. After he understands he will not get a treat by being pushy, begin saying "Take it" as you open your hand.

Well, what do you know, this is exactly what Kimmy did. The first time she licked and poked my fist for a couple of seconds, then gave up. I clicked and gave her the treat. The second time again, and then the third time, she looked at the treat in my hand, and no longer tried to get it when I closed the fist. She just looked and waited. I clicked and gave her the treat.

Wow, that was easy... :)

Then I tried the "stand" command. I put her to sit, and lured her with a treat in the standing position. As soon as she stood up, I clicked and gave her the treat. After several repetitions, I started adding the verbal command "stand" just as she was getting up from the sit. She got it very quickly, I was surprised :)

Next on my list is "watch me".

This clicker thing is really exciting, Kimmy loves practicing, and it's so far pretty easy :)