[NAGDU] Using positive reinforcement instead of punishment

[sonfire11 at gmail.com]

You can do many things with clicker training. Recently, I clicker trained
Alec to take me across a very busy and distraction prone parking lot. He had
to hit a specific point on the other side, so using the clicker to help
pattern him helped. Now, he takes me to that point without fail. Another
good use for clicker training is to build confidence during a route. Alec
was a little hesitant during a 3 mile route we take every other day. Using
the clicker helped him remember what I was asking him to do.
When you rework something like missed obstacles, it is considered a work
error. Every dog is different, but the normal process is to correct, show
him the error, then rework. Seeing Eye will show you how to do these.
However, you must learn how your dog responds to corrections/praise during
work errors, then act accordingly. For instance, Alec bumps me into a pole.
First, he gets a light leash correction. I then sit him down next to the
pole, tap it and tell him fui in a displeasing tone. After that, we rework
the problem by going about 20 feet back down the street and walk through the
problem spot again. Usually, the dog will get it on the first time through.
However, it can take up to 3 or so times.
I don't have a disproval marker during clicker training. The normal leave
it, fui, leash corrections, and control methods apply. Although, I might
have to retrain him on a code word for "let's go now" because anyone who
says the words "ok" and "ready" in the same phrase clues him into worktime
and he stands up and gets annoyed when we don't leave right away.

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Yiska via NAGDU
Sent: Monday, December 18, 2017 5:23 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Yiska <ichoosechrist2 at gmail.com>
Subject: [NAGDU] Using positive reinforcement instead of punishment

Hello,

I am wondering about clicker training and positive reinforcement when it
comes to guide work. How do you get a dog to do the right task after messing
up. For example the dog misses an overhead obstacle. Normally one would
leash correct and then rework. How would you rework if the dog does not get
it the first or fourth time? Normally you would increase corrections. Also
for those who clicker train do you have a disapproval marker like no? I am
trying to use much more positive training but struggled with my last dog.
>From what I have learned from youtube there are lots of basic tasks for
clicker but not much past that.

I get my dog in January from the seeing eye and am very excited.
Yiska
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