Clicker training?

mehhunter · 11-10-2008, 08:09 PM

Anyone else doing it?

I recently started a bit of it with my horse (after reading Karen Pryor's Don't Shoot the Dog) and have been thoroughly impressed with the results so far. My horse is learning things MUCH faster. More important than that, she's retaining the things I'm teaching her much better than before, and seems to be having fun.

We've been working on some simple stuff on the ground (backing from a cue, hindquarter yields, some other things.) But I'd like to start incorporating it into our riding as well.

cheers,

Mary

puzzles mom · 11-10-2008, 08:11 PM

I love clicker training, I have used it a fair bit with my beasties, they love it, learn quickly and as you said, seem to retain the lesson well. Have fun with it :-)

Gutter_Doll · 11-11-2008, 12:06 AM

"click" means go to my horses, so I choose to do it the old fashioned way.. =)

GottaRide · 11-11-2008, 07:35 AM

The horses I've been exposed to that were "clicker-trained" have all been rude, disrepectful and pushy. It's not how I would want my horses to act. What I've seen is that the "clicker-trained" horse is only going for the treats offered by the person, and often times gets rewarded for no reason. The horse didn't do the requested command, yet robbed the person's pocket looking for the treat. Or the person clicked as a reward too often and at the wrong time.

I prefer the idea that horses learn from a release of pressure. The pressure from our body language, rein cues, leg cues, direct and indirect. Pressure & release of pressure works for all horses when they are out in the herd communicating with one another, so I feel that training with these same herd dynamic communication skills is very easy, natural and beneficial.

I don't hear any clickers clicking when I see two horses communicating with one another......

Peggy_Hogan · 10-24-2009, 10:22 PM

I've got a few videos posted on clicker training horses . com and lots on YouTube.
(Peggasus09).
I've trained full sized horses to pick up leads, canter departures, leg yields, jumping with more confidence and many, many more behaviors. I've also trained miniatures to do more tricks than you can imagine, all use the click and a food reward.

I've even taught 5 yr. old children to use the clicker with my horses and they've been respectful, obedient and willing. The results are stunning. Best of luck to you....please hang in there and keep learning; it is a fantastic training method.

MuleyGirl · 10-28-2009, 12:59 PM

I love clicker training, I don't actually use a clicker, but use the word "AH", to mark the correct behavior. I have trained several horses and mules this way. The dog people have been at it since the early 90's, that is where I first learned how to train this way. And I still use pressure and release, I just am able to tell the horse when he has done the correct behavior, versus him having to guess through multiple repetitions and increasing pressure until he manages to figure out the correct answer. And I like the enthusiasm it generates, and it teaches the horse how to think, instead of just react. And since I am only looking for the good things to reward, I always have good sessions with them : ) Diane

jedy · 10-29-2009, 04:59 PM

With the dog, the difference between using and not using the clicker is unbelievable. I must try with my horse as well, I'd bet it'll work

spinandslide · 10-30-2009, 07:14 AM

Clicker training in horses, IMO and experience, can be good for "tricks"(if that is the route you so choose)..but unfortunantly, many clicker trained horses can be exceptionaly rude. is it actually the training method? or is it people applying it incorrectly? I dont know.

The whole "work for food thing" just doesnt jive with me 100%..

I took a clicker class with my dog..I had never used a clicker before..my son and I ended up switching dogs halfway through, as the heeler was being a pill..so Casey took Kate. Kate didnt work for the trainer because she wanted to please her, she was working for that hotdog in her pocket. I can get the same results out of Kate with NO food, simply praise and her innate desire to "be good". Plus, I dont have to worry about phasing out the food evetually.

I learned alot in that class, most definantly, and Im sure I will use it..but me personaly, in practical, everyday applications on my animals, I prefer no clicker..the release of pressure on my horses works 100% of the time, and I am happy with that.

jedy · 10-30-2009, 02:59 PM

Well, in relation to your lesson with dogs- the use of clicker is one thing, the sort of reward you're using is another. Clicker is very useful in pinpointing to the dog what exactly is he being rewarded for. For me it worked magic. As for the reward part- working with dog you need to base your training on one of the drives the dog has. For very many most powerful is food. For some it may be prey drive. The use of food along with being a true leader to the dog, is aimed at developing focus- and is very useful for that. Only first week of particular exercise the dog gets food every time. Once you have that focus, you can use whatever reward you like.
If the food makes a dog distracted or rude, it's a mistake in training. I wonder is it the case with "rude" horses also...

MuleyGirl · 10-30-2009, 10:48 PM

I find it very interesting that many in the general horse public have no problem going to the other end of the spectrum of training aids, draw reins, tiedowns, big spurs, harsh bits, etc. None of these teaches the horse anything, and when you remove them you lose the effect you put them on for. I would rather change the behavior with positive reinforcement, because it sticks with them. And using positive reinforcement with pressure and release is a much quicker way to get the job done, less stress on myself and the horse.

11-10-2008, 08:09 PM	#1
mehhunter Full Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: TEXAS Posts: 116 Images: 7	Clicker training? Anyone else doing it? I recently started a bit of it with my horse (after reading Karen Pryor's Don't Shoot the Dog) and have been thoroughly impressed with the results so far. My horse is learning things MUCH faster. More important than that, she's retaining the things I'm teaching her much better than before, and seems to be having fun. We've been working on some simple stuff on the ground (backing from a cue, hindquarter yields, some other things.) But I'd like to start incorporating it into our riding as well. cheers, Mary __________________ ~Mary http://stalecheerios.com/blog -- a serial about positive animal training

11-11-2008, 12:06 AM	#3
Gutter_Doll Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Central West, Australia. Posts: 1,431 Images: 36	"click" means go to my horses, so I choose to do it the old fashioned way.. =) __________________ photography new site. "Orana Quest" - tricks (bow, lay down, kneel, smile, sit, count, pick up a saddle pad) and in reining training.

11-11-2008, 07:35 AM	#4
GottaRide Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Stiles Jct, WI Posts: 459 Images: 2	The horses I've been exposed to that were "clicker-trained" have all been rude, disrepectful and pushy. It's not how I would want my horses to act. What I've seen is that the "clicker-trained" horse is only going for the treats offered by the person, and often times gets rewarded for no reason. The horse didn't do the requested command, yet robbed the person's pocket looking for the treat. Or the person clicked as a reward too often and at the wrong time. I prefer the idea that horses learn from a release of pressure. The pressure from our body language, rein cues, leg cues, direct and indirect. Pressure & release of pressure works for all horses when they are out in the herd communicating with one another, so I feel that training with these same herd dynamic communication skills is very easy, natural and beneficial. I don't hear any clickers clicking when I see two horses communicating with one another...... __________________ Cedar View Paint Horses Proud member of the Paint Club Home to ~ Catch Me Dreamin - 2007 APHA chestnut tobiano gelding Hanks Rainy Sky - 1998 black & white tobiano Paint gelding Megas Doctor Time - 2004 sorrel overo gelding

10-30-2009, 07:14 AM	#8
spinandslide Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: northwest Texas Posts: 1,698 Images: 22 Blog Entries: 2	Clicker training in horses, IMO and experience, can be good for "tricks"(if that is the route you so choose)..but unfortunantly, many clicker trained horses can be exceptionaly rude. is it actually the training method? or is it people applying it incorrectly? I dont know. The whole "work for food thing" just doesnt jive with me 100%.. I took a clicker class with my dog..I had never used a clicker before..my son and I ended up switching dogs halfway through, as the heeler was being a pill..so Casey took Kate. Kate didnt work for the trainer because she wanted to please her, she was working for that hotdog in her pocket. I can get the same results out of Kate with NO food, simply praise and her innate desire to "be good". Plus, I dont have to worry about phasing out the food evetually. I learned alot in that class, most definantly, and Im sure I will use it..but me personaly, in practical, everyday applications on my animals, I prefer no clicker..the release of pressure on my horses works 100% of the time, and I am happy with that. __________________ So I ask you, will you be a constitutional watchdog. The time has come to bark and to bark loudly. -Glenn Beck

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11-10-2008, 08:11 PM	#2
puzzles mom Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 464	I love clicker training, I have used it a fair bit with my beasties, they love it, learn quickly and as you said, seem to retain the lesson well. Have fun with it :-)

10-24-2009, 10:22 PM	#5
Peggy_Hogan Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: California Posts: 2	I've got a few videos posted on clicker training horses . com and lots on YouTube. (Peggasus09). I've trained full sized horses to pick up leads, canter departures, leg yields, jumping with more confidence and many, many more behaviors. I've also trained miniatures to do more tricks than you can imagine, all use the click and a food reward. I've even taught 5 yr. old children to use the clicker with my horses and they've been respectful, obedient and willing. The results are stunning. Best of luck to you....please hang in there and keep learning; it is a fantastic training method.

10-28-2009, 12:59 PM	#6
MuleyGirl Full Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 34	I love clicker training, I don't actually use a clicker, but use the word "AH", to mark the correct behavior. I have trained several horses and mules this way. The dog people have been at it since the early 90's, that is where I first learned how to train this way. And I still use pressure and release, I just am able to tell the horse when he has done the correct behavior, versus him having to guess through multiple repetitions and increasing pressure until he manages to figure out the correct answer. And I like the enthusiasm it generates, and it teaches the horse how to think, instead of just react. And since I am only looking for the good things to reward, I always have good sessions with them : ) Diane

10-29-2009, 04:59 PM	#7
jedy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 1,532 Images: 48	With the dog, the difference between using and not using the clicker is unbelievable. I must try with my horse as well, I'd bet it'll work

10-30-2009, 02:59 PM	#9
jedy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 1,532 Images: 48	Well, in relation to your lesson with dogs- the use of clicker is one thing, the sort of reward you're using is another. Clicker is very useful in pinpointing to the dog what exactly is he being rewarded for. For me it worked magic. As for the reward part- working with dog you need to base your training on one of the drives the dog has. For very many most powerful is food. For some it may be prey drive. The use of food along with being a true leader to the dog, is aimed at developing focus- and is very useful for that. Only first week of particular exercise the dog gets food every time. Once you have that focus, you can use whatever reward you like. If the food makes a dog distracted or rude, it's a mistake in training. I wonder is it the case with "rude" horses also...

10-30-2009, 10:48 PM	#10
MuleyGirl Full Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 34	I find it very interesting that many in the general horse public have no problem going to the other end of the spectrum of training aids, draw reins, tiedowns, big spurs, harsh bits, etc. None of these teaches the horse anything, and when you remove them you lose the effect you put them on for. I would rather change the behavior with positive reinforcement, because it sticks with them. And using positive reinforcement with pressure and release is a much quicker way to get the job done, less stress on myself and the horse.