How did you do your dogs obedience training?
Also, which methods are better: dog whistle training, use of a clicker, or other methods?
I want to know the most effective method for when I eventually decide to get another dog. All answers are appreciated!
Also, what method would be best with agility training? I’d assume vocal commands, but I have never done agility – which is why I ask! Thank you everyone!
I’ve seen a good number of people using a clicker, and I feel it would be a great method for training.
I’ve taken notice with other dogs, the tone of your voice can confuse them terribly, since they communicate with vocal tones – and dogs do not speak English, which can confuse them even more.
Thank you for your offer! I’ll make sure I check back with you soon!
Related Blogs
- Stubborn Dog – Whistle Training | How To Train A Stubborn Dog
- Beagle Agility Training | Puppy Training Information
- Dog training obedience -How to get a well behaved obedient Dog whatever the breed | Puppy Training Information
Related posts:
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Agility is all about the eye contact, body language, and voice commands. You need to teach your dog how to do what you need it to do with as few words as possible.
Clicker training has shown excellent potential, and I fully intend upon clicker training my next dog. With my current dog however, I only used postitive reinforcement, and correction/redirection. He is a blessing.
You need to decide what works for you. Do you like the idea of a clicker? I think the BEST thing about a clicker is it is consistent and concise sound that always means the same thing to the dog "I did it right". Humans have so much inflection in their tones, that it can confuse a dog. It can eliminate a lot of confusion.
Feel free to e-mail. I do (extremely) amatuer agility. I can let you know what I’ve seen/learned.
I use different tools for different dogs. There is no one RIGHT tool.
I prefer behavioral operant conditioning but will switch depending on the situation.
Personally, I like a combination of vocal and hand signals/body language for agility. Dogs read off one another through body language- vocalization is secondary. Generally, I find body language/hand signals to be easier when initially training.
Well, we (the dog and me) only do agility (with a wee bit of obedience to supplement the agility!), which is mostly a combination of vocal and hand/body signals. I’m probably starting with clicker training soon, as I keep reading that it’s good to shape behaviours. We really need to work on our off-course agility training, and I think the clicker is the way to go. And papillons do great at agility – are you thinking of starting?
I have used what is essentially clicker training, but instead of the clicker, the bridge word "Yes!" Hard core clicker people don’t agree with bridge words but this is what my trainer taught (she has done both) and worked just fine for me with two different dogs and I didn’t need a clicker in my hand or pocket 24/7. I also have used hand signals as well as verbal commands which work very well – it came in handy when one of my dogs went deaf when she got older.
It depends entirely upon you. I have trained with vocals for over fifty years so the clicker is actually too slow for me as the changes in tone and inflection in my voice as well as body language is second nature to me now. I have known people who have trained agility with clicker and wasn’t terribly impressed but I don’t think they were terribly adept at training anyway so method didn’t much matter
Also you need to wean them off the clicker which for some people who don’t seem to understand it simply as a marker, can be difficult. Have you been training the dog you have now? If so, then try various methodologies with him/her and see what suits you and your ability to interact well with him. I have used a variety of methodologies with different dogs but I really never saw much use for the whistle and like I said, the clicker marking was just an extra step that slowed me down. Whatever method you use, the basics are the same – you need to be consistent, motivational, know that when you think the dog knows what you are wanting him to do, he likely doesn’t so go further and expect that he doesn’t know 
Good luck!