I'm trying to implement clicker training with my new rescue dog. He's had a little training with the rescue trainer to sit, down, and stay with hand commands.

He loves treats and will salivate and drip saliva (he's a Boxer) if he knows you have a treat. But he doesn't get worked up and excited. He looks like he's bored and not having any fun.

He used to just kind of stare at the ground or my feet, but I started clicking when he looked up at me so now he will usually at least look at me, but he's still waiting for a command. If I don't do anything he walks away. My attempts are all distraction free in my living room with doors and windows shut.

Do I need to build his drive? I only feed him once a day (at dinner time) and he is just as unresponsive right before feeding time after he's been fasted for 24 hours. I've tried post-walk in the afternoon but he seemed a little wiped. I've tried first thing in the morning when he's excited to see me after a night in the crate.

Should I just go ahead and start shaping with hand commands? He just seems so disinterested.

He's probably had some compulsion training or just doesn't have a clue. You might want to start with some luring and targeting so he can learn that his behavior gets him rewards. You could also try being really excited and acting like a damned fool to get him to engage with you. Bringing your energy/enthusiasm level up can help to elevate a dog that doesn't really offer any behaviours on it's own until he gets some idea of what you are trying to do.

Have you tried the box game?

Edited by Kristel Smart (09/24/2009 11:31 AM)
Edit reason: clarity

In addition, make sure you are using really good treats. I like to use cooked chicken breast that is diced into small pieces, and cheese slices from mozzarela cheese sticks, or small pieces of steak...

And like Kristel says, have fun with it and be enthusiastic!

Did you load the marker with wonderful treats first?

Try the "101 things to do with a box" game. Just Google it!

If he won't even look at the box throw a piece of food in at from a few steps away and tell him to get it. Do it a few times then stop and wait. If he even looks at the box, click and treat. Most dogs get it very fast, if he still un-enthused try just building drive.

Hold the piece of food in your hand and flick your wrist while luring him to follow you into a circular pattern to your right (not your left). When he bounds for the food, or even takes a step towards the food, click and give it to him. When you get him to the point where he will chase or jump then chase for the food, build drive then lure him into the position, click or "yes" marker then treat. Build it up to where you build the drive, say the command, he does it then you reward. You can maybe try a toy reward too, and see if this helps with his enthusiasm.

Maybe I haven't properly loaded the marker. Should I just let him sit there and click-treat, click-treat for one whole session? I think he gets it because I've gotten him to make eye contact now. He used to stare at the ground so I started clicking the moment he looked up at me and rewarding. After 20 or so clicks he seemed to get the picture. He'd finish a treat and look up at me ready for more. Should I just continue to work on this?

 Quote: Vanessa Fullerto

Maybe I haven't properly loaded the marker. Should I just let him sit there and click-treat, click-treat for one whole session?

Probably yes. Keep it short (5 minute sessions)...
Click, and he should immediately look your way for a treat. Do this when he's hungry and use real food treats. What you are doing by loading the marker is developing an association between the click and a yummy treat. He needs to have that down before you go any further...

I highly suggest the book The Thinking Dog http://leerburg.com/996.htm

I forgot, whats "loading the marker"

 Quote: dennis jones

I forgot, whats "loading the marker"

Making the clear association in the dog's mind between the reward and the marker. Demonstrating that the marker means "reward coming!"