| Main Menu |
|
|
| Email Us |
|
webmaster(at sign)nuyakacreek.com
|
|
Your Clicks Can Change Lives |
|
FreeRice.com
FreeFlour.com
TheHungerSite.com
Kiva.org
|
|
Is Clicker Training Right for
Your Pack? |
|
Clicker Training uses consistent signals so that dogs are guided, rather than forced, into a desired behavior.
Clicker Training is based on the science of operant conditioning. Animals tend to repeat actions with positive consequences and not to repeat ones that have a negative consequences.
Clickers add consistency to the reward system an animal trainer uses to indicate approval. They also facilitate breaking behavior down into small parts so that progress can be made quickly, even when the subject has a short attention span!
The American Kennel Club
If the pure bred dogs of the AKC are not your style,
why not
try adopting a rescue dog? Here in Oklahoma and around the country
there are a wealth of dog shelters and breed specific rescue operations.
Often, these dogs have basic skills like catching balls, kennel training and
potty training.
Adopting a rescue dog could save you loads of work and save your new best
friends life.
|
|
 |
|
Dog Training, Leadership & Pack Order |
 |
|
Dog Training Solutions |
 |
|
 It is every pet owner’s
responsibility to help their animals establish the
correct pack order as fast as possible. Although no
violence should be used in getting dogs to behave well
as a pack, the effort does require calm, assertive
discipline and the willingness to act immediately when
trouble starts.
Training dogs offers a wealth of lessons about
leadership, discipline and relationship management.
It has been said that dogs are very much like
people...just add loyalty and devotion!
Learn How to Train Your Dog With Our Free Dog
Training Articles!
|
|
Pack Leaders Need a
Plan |
|
|
 Become
a True Pack Leader.
Pack leaders build confidence and strength through tight
coordination of groups under a calm and assertive leader.
We could learn a lot about teaming from the lessons animal
trainers and animal behavior specialists have developed over
the centuries. See
Our Long Line of Great Dog Training Videos on DVD.
Pack animals like dogs live
in a hierarchal social structure, much like people do.
Understanding the basic instinctive drives of dogs: Prey,
Rank, Fight, Flight and Submission helps us understand
ourselves better.
New puppies need extra effort in
training. So don't stop after teaching them: come, stay, sit
and NO. Make learning and discipline lifetime activities.
Packs Learn Through Playing
Chase games imitate catching
and bringing down prey; fight games teach dogs the use of
postures and expressions to elicit various responses such as
submission or intimidation.
Co-op video games feature a
multiplayer co-op mode which allows multiple players to team
up and work toward shared goals. Local players either share
input devices or use multiple controllers connected to a
single console. Working together in these virtual worlds
helps build social skills and trust among partners. Many
folks find that gaming is a fantastic way to bond with a
spouse, child or other loved one. The teamwork and joint
problem-solving skills necessary to work through modern
video games improves both communication and collaboration
skills as a couple.
Although many major games have
begun dropping Cooperative play options, new games like
Guitar Hero and Rock Star are giving a whole new surge of
energy to this type of gaming.
Check out our Coop Gaming Page for more information. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Target Training
By Dianne M. Jones
Target training is a
useful and easy trick to teach your dog. It is the foundation to many other
tricks and once mastered, it makes overall training easier. In this article,
we refer to targeting as: your dog touching his nose to an object on
command. Although targeting an object does not sound like much of a trick,
this technique can be modified to teach him everything
from catching a
flying disc to turning off the lights. I will go over a few easy steps to get
you started target training and with repetition, you will soon be expanding
your dog’s new talent to amazing heights.
Like any other training exercise, you need to
make sure you have everything ready before you begin.
Distractions from the training sessions can be frustrating for
you and your dog. Make sure you have all your tools and supplies
handy so you can start training with a calm and confident
attitude. Some trainers use telescoping aluminum sticks,
we
found a cool targeting stick and clicker combination that we
enjoy using, but you can simply use the palm of your hand to
begin.
You want to set your dog up to be successful,
so each step will need to be repeated often until he understands
what you want from him, only then, should you move on to the
next step. Training sessions should be kept short about 10 to 15
minutes in the beginning and always end with a correct behavior.
If your dogs tires of targeting and you want to stop, make him
sit or do something he knows, praise & reward, then end the
session; don’t simply stop when he loses interest or you will be
rewarding him for an undesirable behavior.
-
I like to “prime” my dog before starting a session. I ask him to do
something simple and praise (or click) then treat, it just helps get him
into the right frame of mind.
-
Rub the tip of your targeting stick or
the palm of your hand with a treat and get it smelling yummy.
-
Hold the
target close to his nose. He will be curious and sniff the target, when he
does immediately praise & treat.
Repeat until your dog begins to get the
idea and then put a name with it…say ‘target’ or ‘touch’. This way the
action is associated with the name, your command is not confusing to the dog
because he is already familiar with the action and it is in no way
associated with failure. Always set your dog up to be successful and your
dog will view training as fun and look forward to the activity.
-
Now
that your dog understands to touch your target for praise, mix it up a
little. Put your target to the left, right, above and below and make your
dog move his head to touch the target. Try moving the target requiring him
to take a step to touch. Remember to praise & treat immediately after he
touches the target.
Now you are probably realizing how much your dog
rocks and you want to teach him something real cool! I felt the same way, so
I have listed just a few ideas that can help you showcase Fido’s new
talents.
-
You can use your dog’s new targeting powers to lead him
almost anywhere. Remember to teach the action then give it a name, for
example “Load up” is what I use when I want my dog to get into the car. You
can also teach him to walk beside you off leash or go to his bed on command.
-
You can transfer the technique to other targets such as post-it notes and
teach your dog to turn off lights or even fetch the remote control.
Dogs are wonderful, intelligent animals and the time and effort you spend
training them will pay off in countless ways. Not only are you bonding with
your dog, you are teaching him order, impulse control and you’re giving him
a job or purpose which all dogs crave. A close dog/owner relationship makes
for a happier home, a longer life and I believe a kinder world.
Dianne M.
Jones
(Top)
|
