Leerburg | The Thinking Dog - Crossover to Clicker Training

The Thinking Dog
Crossover to Clicker Training

By Gail Tamases Fisher

The Thinking Dog

318 Pages | Paperback
Product #996

Teach your dog to think

It is such a joy to work with a dog who proactively engages in behaviors while you build a relationship that will surprise you with 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 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 integrate 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.

Experienced trainers applaud The Thinking Dog

The Thinking Dog offers a wonderfully thoughtful guide to clicker training. Written with the more traditional trainer in mind, Gail Fisher's long experience and hard-won wisdom shine through in her logical approach. Clear explanations, practical exercises, and lovely real life examples (including photos) make for a refreshing treatment of clicker training. I highly recommended this book to all thinking trainers who share with Fisher her "delight in watching a dog's mind turn on." The Thinking Dog is my new favorite clicker training book!
Suzanne Clothier, author of Bones Would Rain from the Sky

Gail Fisher's grasp of all subject matter pertaining to clicker training shines through in this book! It is obvious that she is a "been there-done that" crossover clicker trainer, understands the needs of someone who wants to make the switch, and can hold the trainer's hand throughout the process. The Thinking Dog is a great refresher course for the experienced clicker trainer too.
Corally Burmaster, founder and editor of The Clicker Journal

This is a must have book for anyone involved in dog training. Gail is a pioneer in the field of positive dog training and her own techniques have evolved over time as she has learned more about how dogs think and learn. This book provides a solid foundation for clicker training including answers to all the most challenging questions and patch around the most common obstacles.
Robin K. Bennett, author of All About Dog Daycare, co-author of Off Leash Dog Play

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements.............................................................................................................	vii
Preface................................................................................................................................	ix
Introduction.........................................................................................................................	1

PART I: Putting it in Perspective: Past and Present...................................................	5
1. Crossing Over..................................................................................................................	6
2. Learning and Training Fundamentals.............................................................................	15
3. Clicker Training Basics....................................................................................................	36
4. Pitfalls and Payoffs to Crossing Over...............................................................................	48

PART II: Crossing Over...Just Do It!..............................................................................	59
5. Build Your Clicker Skills..................................................................................................	60
6. Getting Behaviors............................................................................................................	81
7. The Joy of Shaping..........................................................................................................	109
8. Building Behavior............................................................................................................	128
9. Building Reliability, Precision, and Speed......................................................................	166

PART III: Brass Tracks.....................................................................................................	183
10. Punishment, Corrections, and the Crossover Trainer.....................................................	184
11. Engaging Your Dog........................................................................................................	219
12. Putting It All Together....................................................................................................	233

Afterword.............................................................................................................................	290
Appendix A. Cornerstones and Charts.................................................................................	291
Appendix B. Developing your skills.....................................................................................	293
Appendix C. They're all tricks to your dog...........................................................................	296
Appendix D. Earn Life: A program of polite living for thinking dogs...................................	300
Sources and Resources.......................................................................................................	303
Bibliography........................................................................................................................	306
Index...................................................................................................................................	307
About the Author.................................................................................................................	317

Gail Tamases Fisher has been training dogs professionally for over 30 years. She is the owner and founder of All Dogs Gym, one of the largest training centers in the country. Gail is the co-author of Training Your Dog and Teaching Dog Obedience Classes. She lives in Manchester, New Hampshire with her dogs, Cannon and Kochi, and two cats.

When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.

Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional. The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.

Copyright 2009 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. US Copyright Link. By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.



Raising Puppies	Training DVDs	Training Equipment	New Products