I was just looking at the Clik Stik product Leerburg sells, and either I am missing something, or it doesn't explain what exactly the benefit is of having a retractable "target stick". I see pictures of the stick reaching the dogs nose, but other than swatting the dogs nose with it, I can't think of what it would be used for

Anyone care to explain???

http://leerburg.com/1148.htm

The dog is taught to touch and then to follow the tip of the stick. When the dog will freely follow the stick, you can lead the dog wherever you want it to go, instead of having to pull, push, lift, or coax it. You can target the dog into the car, onto a grooming table, over jumps, or into the correct position for gaiting or stacking. You can put the target upright in the ground to teach the dog to go away from you. With the target stick you can teach many tricks and skills, such as closing a door, turning a light switch on and off, and retrieving objects by name.

If you watched my youtube video with my horse, you will see me using it there. I only show the preliminary work there, but he is not following the target into a bow with his head almost flat on the ground.

Instead of pulling my horses head around, he is willingly engaged with the target.

It encourages operant behavior and the dogs and horses really seem to enjoy targeting. It's just one more tool for the toolbox.

It's really useful for trainers who aren't physically as mobile, it's used a lot in the Assistance dog video we sell.

Very cool, thanks for the explanation!

How fun! I plan to get a target stick when I come to the seminar. Can't wait to go on a shopping spree.

If I had to pick between muddy-paw towels and target sticks, I would go with the stick. Mine is an 89-cent dowel from home depot, but it gets the job done.

It's really great for helping wiggly dogs "target" a hip or shoulder into the correct position for a front or finish or whatever.

Also fun for cats.

I've had really good results with a targeting stick too (been using it for years). Mine is kind of "old school". I use a telescoping pointer that was available in places like Staples or Office Depot. It seems they have been replaced by laser pointers now. I don't use the clicker with it but a marker instead (not enough hands). So, the "clik stik" would appear to solve that problem. I might try one because the clicker is a very good tool.

 Quote: Cindy Easton Rhodes

It encourages operant behavior and the dogs and horses really seem to enjoy targeting. It's just one more tool for the toolbox.

It's really useful for trainers who aren't physically as mobile, it's used a lot in the Assistance dog video we sell.

Falling into the aren't physically as mobile camp, I'd like to try this as well. How does this tool compare to a laser pointer? Could both tools be used in the same way?

A clik stik or other extendable target is much, much easier for the animal to see in all situations. In bright sunlight, or on tall grass, a laser pointer is next to impossible to see.

For indoor situations, I'd suspect you could use the laser pointer for fine-tuning or as more of a physical target (i.e., go stand over there). The advantage of the stick is that the dog can follow the tip of it "in the air", and there are some dogs who've been trained to heel exclusively by following a target stick. You can't really do that with a laser.