How do people who always have several dogs around and who normally use the individual dog's name to preface each command adapt clicker training?

I use verbal markers now, and I'm thinking about how to use the clicker for the marker when I have more than one dog there.

Hmm, teach them their names in Morse code?

Sorry... I have nothing useful to contribute.

 Quote: Jenni Williams

Hmm, teach them their names in Morse code?

They are all very poor spellers.

I don't typically work all my dogs at the same time, so one dog may be with me in the kitchen and I will tell the others to go lay down and then work with the "chosen one" with the clicker.

they really don't have any issue with it, although Raine always tries to horn in on what ever is going on. i just send her away and tell her to wait her turn.

in the learning phase, it's too much to expect a youngster to be out running around when you are clicking another dog, but my older more experienced dogs have no trouble with the concept of waiting until I ask for them to engage with me while I work with the puppy. If anything, it builds drive in the older dogs.

At first, crate the extra dogs and only work with one in the room. Is that what you were asking? LOL

you can still use their name, if you need to get their attention.

 Quote: cindy easton rhodes

... but my older more experienced dogs have no trouble with the concept of waiting until I ask for them to engage with me while I work with the puppy. If anything, it builds drive in the older dogs. ... At first, crate the extra dogs and only work with one in the room. Is that what you were asking? LOL ...

Yes, this answers me. Mine are "older, experienced" dogs. I want to get the hang of the clicker as a marker on my own dog(s) first. Also, I want to see if this old dog (me) can learn the new trick of clicker insead of the verbal marker.

I guess I need to just do it .... see whether the other dogs are listening for the clicker that's meant for "the chosen one" ... see if I need to use their names ... see what happens!

I guess I'll get this, too: http://leerburg.com/979.htm

 Quote: connie sutherland

. . . I guess I'll get this, too: http://leerburg.com/979.htm

A good book. I'm working my way through the book and Ed's ebook on marker training. It's a new technique for me, and it looks like I'm going to need more "shaping" than the dog.

Mike

there is an exercise that I have done several times now, that is the best and clearest way to learn about marker (clicker) training. It's very simple, but you do need a human partner to do this. It really works best with someone else who understands the basic marker training concept.

Get a reward that YOU and your partner like, M&Ms, skittles, etc...

One of you think of a task to "train" the other person to do. You are not allowed to talk at all!! very important!!! You use the clicker and placement of reward to 'train' your human. NO WORDS!

When the person who is the "dog" thinks they have mastered the task they tell you they got it, then ask them what you just trained them to do. Their answer may surprise you.

We did this at an agility seminar, Ed, my son Andrew and I all went through this. Some of the tasks were very complicated, depending on the skill level of the clicker users. I was trained to untie my shoes and tie them together.

This exercise is a real eye opener. how amazing that our dogs learn anything with all the "grey" information we give them.

Cindy,

I got the clickers out and Doug made the comment that we should do that......

I think I will take him up on it for the practice and teach him how to do dishes and laundry.......

 Quote: Carol Boche

Cindy,

I got the clickers out and Doug made the comment that we should do that......

I think I will take him up on it for the practice and teach him how to do dishes and laundry.......

Funny.

You have to watch out for the guys, make sure they know that x rated 'tasks' are not allowed in this game.

 Quote: Cindy Easton Rhodes

I was trained to untie my shoes and tie them together.

And you got it? The whole thing? I can't imagine how I'd train it!