[nagdu] Clicker Training, was: tripping on bones

[Ann Edie]

Hi, Tracy and Everyone,

As with most other things, the people who write about clicker training, as 
well as training methods of any other sort, are mostly sighted people.  So 
they naturally describe visual methods of observing what is happening around 
one.  But, as you know only too well,  this doesn't mean that there are no 
other ways of gathering information.  As in my example below of ways to know 
when the partner's shoes have "hit the spot", all you have to do is apply a 
little creativity and use all the non-vision-dependent techniques that you 
would use for any other endeavor.  We can't expect the sighted people to 
tell us how to adapt things for non-visual access.  After all, we are the 
experts on how to do things as blind people.

If anyone needs suggestions for how to adapt clicker training methodology 
for non-visual use, we have an e-mail group of blind clicker trainers who 
would be happy to give suggestions.  The list can be joined by sending a 
blank e-mail message to VI-Clicker-Trainers-request at freelists.org and 
putting the word "subscribe" in the subject line.  (At least, I think that 
is the subscription information, but it's been a while since I checked it. 
So if it doesn't work, let me know and I'll refer to a source which is more 
reliable than my own memory.)  The VI Clicker Trainers' group even has a set 
of "Getting Started" lessons specifically designed for blind trainers which 
we are happy to share.

Best to All,
Ann

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tracy Carcione" <carcione at access.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 10:05 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] tripping on bones


> "Don't Shoot the Dog" is available from Bookshare.
>
> It seems to me to rely very heavily on seeing what is happening, though.
>
> Or maybe the problem is that Ben is smarter than I am, so he has trained
> me, instead of the other way around.
> Tracy
>
>> Rox!  I'm surprised that you, of all people,  suggest a P- solution to 
>> the
>> problem of inconveniently abandoned shoes!
>>
>> Albert, for a more "positive reinforcement-type solution--you might 
>> simply
>> try to notice the rare occasions when he tosses his shoes in the 
>> direction
>> of where you would like them to land, and immediately reward him with
>> something he really likes.  You don't even have to tell him what the
>> reward
>> is for; let him figure it out.  (This is the "sneaky" method.)
>> Or, for a more straightforward approach, you could identify the place
>> where
>> you want him to put the shoes, and reward him immediately whenever the
>> shoes
>> hit that spot.  In order for you to know when the shoes have "hit the
>> spot,"
>> you might want to have some sort of sound-producing device that will let
>> you
>> know that the shoes have landed on the spot!
>>
>> For tips on training all sorts of beings, Karen Pryor's book, "Don't 
>> Shoot
>> the Dog" is still one of the best resources, and very readable.
>>
>> Have fun training!
>>
>> Best,
>> Ann
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "The Pawpower Pack" <pawpower4me at gmail.com>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Monday, December 07, 2009 12:45 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] tripping on bones
>>
>>
>>> Albert,
>>>
>>> next time he does it, just hide the shoes.  He'll learn quick!
>>>
>>> My dogs also hide stuff outside.  My current working guide, Laveau a
>>> Doberman loves her harness, she will take it to her bed and snuggle
>>> with
>>> it until it is time to go to work again.  I have to put it up  high so
>>> she'll leave it alone.  The other day I was getting ready to  throw my
>>> harness in the wash and set it down to collect more laundry.   In a
>>> flash
>>> she stole it and hid it.  I had to send my golden in to  find it, which
>>> she did.  Mill'E, my golden keeps me organized.  If I  didn't have her
>>> I'd
>>> be in a lot of trouble! *grin*
>>>
>>> Rox and the Kitchen Bitches
>>> Bristol (retired), Mill'E SD. and Laveau Guide Dog, CGC.
>>> "Struggle is a never ending process. Freedom is never really won, you
>>> earn it and win it in every generation."
>>> -- Coretta Scott King
>>> pawpower4me at gmail.com
>>>
>>> Windows Live Only: Brisomania at hotmail.com
>>> AIM: Brissysgirl Yahoo: lillebriss
>>>
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>>
>>
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