Hi everyone. I have been lurking on this forum for a while now and I would just like to say where have you lot been all my life?! I thought I was the only person who sees things the way you lot do!! Glad I am not the only one now!
Well, I have been thinking about clicker training for ages and I feel I am ready to take the plunge even though, as you can imagine, I am rather nervous about doing so in case I 'do it wrong'!
I am just about to order Clicker Training Your Horse by Alexandra as I have nearly finished Dont Shoot the Dog. Can anyone tell me where to start? Also, where do I get a clicker from? Also, I don't suppose anyone is in Berkshire who could perhaps give me a hand?!
Sorry for all the questions. Hope you can help.
Thanks, Helen
Great to hear that you are interested in starting CT. Don't Shoot The Dog is a great starting point
Although I didn't do it (but I wish I had), it is a great idea to practice the clicker game on your human friends first. This really helps with your timing and demonstrates how easy it can be to mark the wrong behaviour if your timing is out a bit. Another idea is to bounce a ball and click it every time it hits the ground. Only when you are confident with the clicker and your timing go to your horse.
I started by target training with Crunchie - I used a cone for this and he had to touch it with his nose to get a click and treat. At first they don't realise that they have to hear the click before a treat appears and you will often get mugging behaviour - it is sometimes better to keep the stable guard/door between you and your horse at first so that it is easy to just step away if they get a bit pushy. Beware not to reward the mugging behaviour!
It might be an idea to have someone around who can help you out at first. I'm in Lancashire but I'm sure there are loads of people your way that can help out. Alternitavely Company of Horses do Home Visits and workshops on the subject - www.companyofhorse.com
Hi Carol and Marie, thanks for replying.
Carol, I am in Maidenhead/Windsor, where abouts are you?
Marie, brilliant idea to try the clicker out on my friends/family - I did think about trying it with the dog too before I try on the horse. Brill idea about getting the timing with the ball too, I hadn't thought of that!
Jessie does tend to be a bit pushy with treats actually so I was worried about that so as you say I will have to be careful not to reward the mugging! I have already taught her to pick up a frisby and give it to me but just by giving her a scrap of carrot after she has done it, so not with a clicker.
I have been to the Company of Horses web site and they are in the south but not really near me unfortunately.
I am really excited about doing this now!! Where can I get my clicker from? I have been to the clicker.com site but that's in American dollars and I was going to order the book from Amazon. Which is best do you think? Sorry, questions again!!
Thanks again for your replies.
Helen x
The clicker game and bouncing ball idea's are what I have learnt from Company of Horses. Don't worry about distance if you fancied contacting them. Ben travels over 300 miles to see me and Crunchie and the others in the northwest!!
I've never bought a clicker for myself but I know you can get them from pet shops - they are quite expensive from there though. Someone else may be able to point you in a better direction though
Mx
This message has been edited by GoldenCrunchie on Aug 4, 2003 3:01 PM
Hi Helen, good to hear from you, you can order your clicker from Robinson's catalogue, order more than one in case you loose it, you will not want to be without it! Best of luck and have fun, love Sue PS lots of good clicker sites on the internet will give you good advice.
Fantastic - I love it when ex-lurkers start posting!
Delighted to hear you want to get started in the CT. Have you looked at the previous threads "getting started in CT" and "CT in the south east". There maybe suggestions there you find useful.for getting started. If you have any questions then just shout.
If you've read DSTD then you're probably easily ready to just give it a go. If you're worried about aggression once treats are on the scene then Meera had a long thread I've forgotten the name of but it may be useful too.
Good luck
Catherine
PS I just got a clicker from Robinsons. You can also get them from pet shops, horse shows (occasionally!) etc Some of the pet shops charge you a fiver and you also get a booklet and some dog/cat treats which is a bit of a con if you only want it for a horse, but if you're desperate to get started....! Or just use a loud biro top, light switch, tongue click etc Anything that can mark a behaviour
This message has been edited by Brocksopp on Aug 5, 2003 1:36 PM
Hi Catherine and thank you for welcoming me!!
I have read quite a number of the threads, definitely the South East one and will look for the other one about starting out. Oh to have more time to just browse eh?!!
I actually went to the pet shop this morning and managed to get a clicker that was in a pack with some cat treats (actually there are two clickers in there) and a booklet but am working at the moment so I will practice on the children/dog/cat later. It was only £4.99 which didn't seem bad. Can't wait till the end of the day now! Better look for the dog's tennis ball too to practice on!!
Isn't it just so exciting when a whole new world is opening up for you?!!!
Helen x
If anyone wants a clicker, then I have about 20 spare!
I got them for the alex clinic and then she brought some as well.. your for postage costs only?
Personally I dont use them with my horse (but do use them with my dog)- with my horse I use a tongue click instead. This gives me two hands - useful especially when riding. Jennifer Hurley taught us to use anything that is a distinctive noise and not something you are likely to say in conversation- the key is a sharp sound. Kayce uses "X", Jennifer uses "yes" in a funny high pitched short pronunciation. Jennifer also showed us how easy it is to condition any other marker- eg a whistle...
LOL... Kayce also uses a soft X as the intermediate bridge.. try saying x x x x x x x x and see what comes out!
Oh yes, Helen, it's just soooo exciting! But just warning you - it will take over your life!!! I don't think many of us here have found it's possible to keep +R purely at the stables.
Catherine's right. It takes over your life. I'm currently training my boss, but he doesn't know it yet! He has certainly mellowed a bit though, or maybe he's been trying that x x x x , he he he!
Oh and Helen, if you have a dog, they're great for extra practise! People who I haven't seen for a while think he's a different animal and I do too! I certainly don't call him 'Dumb-dog' anymore.
Thank you everyone. I had a feeling it would take over my life like you say Catherine and I think it has already started! I am still yet to order Alex's book so will do that from Amazon. I got my clickers and have practiced on children who thought it was a great game!! They did it on me too!!
Yes, I thought I would practice on the dog first as that's not quite so scary as getting it wrong with the horse is it?! Unfortunately I have been busy the last few days so unable to make a proper start.
I have to say, I have been thinking about how I deal with the children/other people now and am quite aware of all the different methods available to 'train' people now I have read Karen Pryors book (well haven't actually quite finished it yet) I have tried very hard to praise the children when they do something right or that I asked them to do, so will just have to wait and see whether the praise I lavished on my daughter when she tidied her room has the desired effect for next time! Perhaps I should have given her a pony nut too!
I definitely can't wait to start with Jessie. I am doing my Reiki 1 this weekend as well so hopefully it will all come together nicely!
Thanks again all for your support, will keep you posted. x H
