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THE THINKING DOG - CROSSOVER TO CLICKER TRAINING
by Gail Fisher (See other books by author)
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Publisher: Dogwise Publishing
Edition: 2009 Paperback, 328 pages
ISBN: 9781929242627
Item: DTB1049
Ships the next business day.
Summary: It is a joy to work with a dog who actively engages in the learning process—not blindly following orders—but actively problem-solving with you. Cooperation between human and dog will help you build a relationship that will surprise you in its depth and versatility and Thinking Dog is your roadmap!
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Expanded Description:
It is such a joy to work with a dog who proactively engages in behaviors while you build a relationship that will surprise you in its depth and versatility. Clicker training has proven to be the most effective means of developing a “Thinking Dog,” one who offers behaviors in anticipation of a reward rather than a dog who has been trained only to wait for his owner’s commands. One of the biggest obstacles the new clicker trainer faces, however, is his or her own history of training and habits of working with a dog. But you can make the transition once you understand how dogs learn and the mechanisms of operant conditioning. Learn from author Gail Fisher’s crossover experiences as well as those of the hundreds of students she has helped make the change over the past thirteen years.
You will learn:
* How dog training has evolved over the past 100 years, the strengths and weaknesses of various training styles, and to what extent you can intergrate your previous methods with clicker training.
* The particular challenges you will face as you crossover from whatever style of training you have used in the past (compulsion, luring, etc.) to clicker training.
* The detailed nuts and bolts of clicker training - from getting a behavior started, to methods of rewarding, to reducing the need to click and treat over time while still getting the results you want.
* How to work with dogs trained with force or harsh methods and change them into behavior-offering dynamos.
Click here to view an excerpt.
What reviewers are saying...
Midwest Book Review
“Written by Gail Tamases Fisher, a professional dog trainer of over thirty years' experience, The Thinking Dog: Crossover to Clicker Training is a guide to using clicker training to develop a "thinking dog" who offers behaviors in anticipation of a reward, rather than a passive dog trained simply to wait for its owner's commands. Someone new to clicker training may find it difficult to break out of familiar routines; The Thinking Dog: Crossover to Clicker Training teaches one how to surpass one's own ingrained habits while learning the nuts and bolts of operant conditioning. "By definition, LLW [loose-leash walking] means there is no tension in the leash. This rule is absolute: Your dog may not pull and be successful. Any time your dog pulls and gets to move forward, pulling is reinforced. So from the moment you start training LLW, any time your dog is on leash, you are either in training, or using equipment that prevents pulling, such as a front-connection harness or head halter. Do not use a Flexi- or bungi-lead as they reward pulling." An excellent, easy-to-use manual for amateur and professional dog trainers alike, handily illustrated with black-and-white photographs.”
James A. Cox
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| The Thinking Dog - a new classic, November 12, 2009 |
| Reviewer: lovelearning |
Though there are many books on dog training, Gail Fisher's stands apart because The Thinking Dog encompasses all types of training; compulsion-praise, lure-reward and clicker training. In addition, instead of simply teaching procedures and exercises, she focuses on applying the concepts and principles underlying these methods. She offers expert guidance to those trainers who want to explore 'crossing over' from compulsion-praise methods to clicker training. However, all trainers, regardless of their backgrounds, level of expertise or philosophical bent, can benefit from reading this book.
Fisher explains each basic training method and their differences, the pros and cons of each, difficulties and obstacles, and advantages and benefits. She describes why she has come to believe that clicker training is the most effective way of creating a 'thinking dog,' one who offers behaviors in anticipation of a reward, instead of waiting to be told what to do.
Fisher brings her mastery of these methods and her incarnations as a trainer into the book by describing how to go about changing one's mindset and habits. I enjoyed reading her 'Crossover Journal' throughout the book, sharing her thought process as she learns and grows on the journey to a new way of training and being in relationship with dogs.
In her book, she reviews the theories that underlie the each method, debunking those so often misunderstood by those practicing compulsion-praise methods and many of our clients, e.g., 'pack mentality,' 'dominance,' and 'alpha' roles.
Fisher expertly describes how to build your skills, get behaviors and achieve reliability, precision and speed. I learned shortcuts to getting behaviors, e.g., no longer 'charge' the clicker, and concrete ways to move beyond common stumbling blocks. For example, she describes ways to avoid becoming addicted to luring, quickly lose the food rewards and get behaviors on a verbal cue. This is an essential skill but often lacking in many of today's trainers. I especially enjoyed her discussion of how to discover what is motivating for dogs and the differences among breeds. Fisher also reminds readers about the important distinction between clicker training and training with a clicker, the former being much more effective.
While many methods 'work' in teaching the dog how to perform the desired behavior, clicker training is fair to the dog and does no harm to the dog or the relationship between the dog and owner. Anyone can learn to do clicker training, even children, as it does not require special skills or 'dominating' the dog. Finally, clicker training does not ask the average dog owner to do anything too challenging or objectionable, thus they are willing to use it. Moreover, it is a joy to work with a dog that takes an active role in learning. When you teach a dog to cooperate with you it opens up a new relationship, filled with unlimited potential. |
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| New Favorite!, September 5, 2009 |
| Reviewer: k9mythbuster |
As a recent convert to clicker training, this is the best book I have found so far which clearly addressed the differences between older types of training, including compulsion/praise and lure/reward. This not only helps me better understand what I'm doing, but helps me better explain to clients and others what clicker training is, what it is not, and why it is preferable to older methods.
The jacket and the table of contents should make it clear to readers that this is not a book full of clicker training exercises. For that, I recommend 'When Pigs Fly' by Jane Killion (avail on dogwise.com). Giving a book a poor rating because it was exactly what it is described to be doesn't make sense. |
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| I loved this book, September 4, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Leone Ward |
| I loved this book it gives a comprehensive background without being too technical and although I learnt about clicker training many years ago this book really encouraged me to use it in my dog training classes. I loved the information pertaining to luring which is so easy to fall into if this has been your usual training method. This book very clearly showed me how this would prevent me from getting a true 'thinking dog'. I train Epilepsy Assist Dogs and applied this change to get my dogs really thinking and now each time I train for something new the dogs pick it up much more quickly. I highly recommend it and I can only say well done Gail for your very comprehensive and educational book. |
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