[nagdu] Clicker training

[Julie J.]

LOL Yes, I can see that happening.  It sounds like something Monty would do.

Here's how I'd keep the dog from chaining the sequence sniff, target 
treat.  I'd use different incompatible behaviors.  So Ben sniffs, 
sometimes ask for a hand target, sometimes a sit or whatever else seems 
appropriate in the situation.   So he won't connect sniffing with the 
next behavior and the subsequent click and treat.  I'd also ask him to 
do the hand target or sit or whatever at random times with random 
reinforcement outside of sniffing intervention times.  If you know 
places or situations where he is likely to let his nose wander, be 
proactive and get him to target your hand before the sniff.  this will 
probably be the most effective, but it is the hardest to do.

There is a funny story about a wheelchair user teaching her service dog 
a retrieve with clicker. The dog was so excited about this new skill 
that he practically buried her under mounds of stuff the dog brought her 
that she didn't ask for.  She did train the dog to bring only requested 
items. I'll have to see if I can find that article again.

Julie



On 2/20/2013 7:47 AM, Tracy Carcione wrote:
> Julie J, thanks for the very clear explanation of how to begin clicker 
> training.  No one has explained it so well to me before.  I did look 
> at a book, but, like you said, it was all "click when your dog 
> looks..." and not all that helpful for a blind person.
>
> Ben is a sniff monster.  A friend thinks using the clicker might help 
> fix that, and I understand how I could, say, ask him to touch my hand 
> when he starts sniffing.  I get that process.  But Ben is very smart.  
> He's also a wise guy, with his own agenda.  Might he think "hmm, if I 
> sniff, and she asks me to touch her hand, and I get a treat, then, if  
> I sniff more, I'll get more treats?"
> Maybe this is what the originator of this thread meant by the dog 
> pushing over on the person.
> Tracy
>
>
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