Positive reinforcement--training with rewards--seems quite common, but we've been reminded of its importance while raising Obie. After all, how else are you supposed to train a dog that, at four months old, is already big enough to take your hand off if he doesn't like what you're doing?
The basic tenet of positive reinforcement is simple: Dogs like food (or toys, or petting or praise, but food is easiest). Therefore, when the dog does something you like, either by accident or because you "lured" him into it, you can give him a treat to tell him "thank you." When he's reliably doing the action (usually with a lure), you can add a voice or hand signal and train him to respond to that signal before he gets the treat. Some people use clicker training; I must admit I've never tried this method, but it sounds very interesting. I would use it particularly for tricks and other unusual behaviors since luring works well for simple actions such as "sit," "down," "come," etc. (If you want more info on luring please comment and I'll do a follow-up post!)
Obie's top favorite treat is string cheese! We have used regular kibble with our other dogs, but he needs a bit more high-value treat. So we use cheese for times like puppy class and outings, when we need a really good treat, and Cheerios (the WalMart brand) for everyday.
When do you find that positive reinforcement works best for your dogs? What treats do you like to use?
3 comments:
Lauren was clicker trained, and she responded SUPER fast to the clicker! We never used this with her on a regular basis, though, but I think it could be very useful if you are working with a dog that is far away from you. Too far to lure with a food treat, and a clicker is easier than shouting across a distance. I do not know HOW they trained her with the clicker--I would suppose with food treats. One thing they also told us at Team Training was that using a clicker could "mark" a precise movement or action better. That at the very instant the dog did whatever it was you wanted it to do, you could mark that with the clicker and that told the dog they did what you wanted. Then, even if it took you a bit longer to get the food treat out and delivered (especially for a disabled person who cannot use hands well), the dog just stands there patiently waiting for their treat that they know is coming, and they know they did what it was you wanted them to do. If you are ever interested, I have one book on clicker training you are welcome to borrow. . . in all your spare time! ;)
Seems like you're doing an excellent job!!!! Good luck :D
~Elijah & Hobart II
Clicker training is no different than what you are doing now. Instead of saying Thank you..with a clicker you would click. (Actually I verbally praise while clicking as well)
I use clicker training for teaching everything,as all it is a marker, and I find since the sound never changes, never has a bad day, never gets frustrated or sounds distracted, that the dogs respond better to the consistency of it than my voice.
I find positive reinforcement is good for all occasions in dog training :_
Post a Comment