Training a puppy to Sit up and Beg: Clicker Training Tricks

[nataliawasilewska97]

0:17 what a serious face :D haha I love Twixxie, I can't believe they grow up soo fast :)

[pamelamarxsen]

@nataliawasilewska97 Thanks! I know, he always makes a serious face when he sits pretty. He is concentrating. HAHA! :)

[lonleyon3]

Is it possible to teach this trick without a clicker? my puppies get freaked out by the sound of the clicker and always run away. They didn't like the sound when I was trying to get them to associate that the sound = treat.

[pamelamarxsen]

@lonleyon3 If I were you, I would use a marking word like "yes" or "yep" and that could be the same as a click. Condition the word to mean that "yes" they did the right behavior and now they get the reward. You can also lure them with food to get the behavior and just keep feeding them in that position. If they drop down to the ground in a sit, then just dont reward that. And then lure them up again. :)

[lonleyon3]

@pamelamarxsen Ok, thanks so much. I just thought that I'd need the clicker for this particular trick and it does seem to be more effective. I will work with the marking words.

[stephennmcdonald]

@lonleyon3 I have a 12 year old mutt who was very afraid of the clicker sound while I was training my 3 year old GSD with the clicker. I started doing a few sessions with her along, using a click-top pen as the clicker to get her used to "some click sound means treat". Once she understood that, I moved up to using a regular clicker, but held it in my pocket to muffle the sound. By the end of the week she was fine with the clicker behind my back out in the open. Good luck!

[lonleyon3]

@stephennmcdonald Thanks for the suggestion, All of my dogs are now used to the clicker and learn at a reasonable pace :)

[nicolebodea]

Great job! Again you amaze me! :) When I get my future puppy the one I told you about on Facebook, we will be looking at your videos is awe! :PP Btw, did you wait to train this trick now that Twix is older and it doesn't put that much strain on his hips? :) great job!

[pamelamarxsen]

@nicolebodea Thank you! I can't wait to see all the amazing things your puppy will do when you get him or her! I did not really wait because of his hips, but that is actually a great reason to wait. I was just busy working on other stuff (socialization to people, places, and things mainly). Thank you so much for all your nice words about my videos and my dogs! Have a wonderful evening!

[nicolebodea]

@pamelamarxsen Thank you Pam! :) I'm in anticipation everyday, but one day it will come! I love the puppy vids you did because since I never had one i got to see how to really socialize in real life not just from books with pictures.about socialization though, what is your opinion on the fear period as they call it. i don't quite understand what that is like if you have a dog who had a great start in life with socialization, what exactly easily spooks them at this age..

[kikopup]

that was awesome!!! :) it took splash so long to build the muscles in her back for this trick! :)

[newbear95]

Twix is so smart! He learnt this trick in such a short time! I love to see dogs doing this trick. They look so cute when doing it. :)

[pwindsor4]

Oh this looks great! I've been trying to teach my puppy (BC x Lab) this trick and she gets so excited about he food she just launches her butt off the ground. I like the idea of having her first balance on your arm though. I did try the high five method but didn't get much success because my arms got all scratched up...

Do you think a boxer could do this? My other dog seems pretty hopeless, he can't even balance on my chest when I try with him.

[pamelamarxsen]

@pwindsor4 I think that a boxer could sit pretty! You know your dogs best... I would say just keep working with him and have patience. If he does it that is awesome, but if not, it is not really that big of a deal. :) Just find another trick that he likes and wants to do. :) Have a great day! Good Luck! Pam

[Lozii16]

@pwindsor4 Hey :) I have a Doberman that can do this! So i think that your Boxer would be able to as well. But it does depend on the dog.... :) Give it a try :)

[TheRabbitgrace]

Nice training method! I taught pheobie how to do that based on high five, I like your way though, seems easier xD

[pamelamarxsen]

@TheRabbitgrace Oh, I like the high five idea too! I think that there are so many ways to train a behavior. It is nice to have many ideas! Take care! Pam

[claudiahoyle]

nice way of doing it, I usually just click approximations to balancing, I especially liked the building muscle memory at the beginning, never thought of doing that duh! Thanks always learning!

[pamelamarxsen]

@claudiahoyle I like the idea of clicking approximations as well! I think that shaping a behavior is awesome! Take care Claudia! Hope you have an amazing 2011!

[AlmondBear]

Great job Pam!

[Rickyagility]

Twix is doing a great job of balancing already! He learns everything so fast - such a clever boy!

[JessieTheJack]

Twix is doing so well! Great job! =)

[addictedclickerdogz]

quick question.. for this trick specifically, when you click numerous times within a very short period is that just to encourage what he's doing? I'm asking because for this trick I was told to just click once but use our encouraging work 'good' instead of clicking..

He has gotten so big and beautiful, Pam!

[pamelamarxsen]

@addictedclickerdogz Well, a lot of people do only click once or just rapid fire treats to keep the dog in the one position. However, sometimes I will continue clicking and treating to keep the dog in that position longer. Once he understands the position and starts to hold it longer, I will space out the click/treat and move my hand away from his mouth. I really do not think that there is a right or wrong way, many would not like my method of continuous click/treat, but it works for my dogs.

[melissa2ea]

@pamelamarxsen Same works for my dog too Pam. Especially if you have a dog that is familiar with the clicker, you can tell they understand "yes! I'm being rewarded for exactly what I'm doing now!". But I agree, whatever works for your dog. Just like children, not all of them learn in the exact same way. As long as it's kept positive and fun! :-) Twix looks awesome!! He's pretty big!

[Divinity33372]

OH I NEED TO TRY THAT ONE!

[watchmoivies123]

Oh I love this!  Can I see the other one do it too?

VERY NICE!!

Kim

[mollybrandybillly]

this is pretty cool ive never seen it taught with a clicker. i like the concept.

[jordyquint]

He is doing amazing! (:

[MsBorderCollieLover]

Wow Pam thanks for sharing this is amazing. He's doing so well!!