could you substitute the clicker with...

[pattysdaddy]

I was wondering, I have a clicker, and I did try to use it but found it tough with holding the leash, trying to give a treat and holding the clicker all at the same time.

...if you can make a click sound (like they make on the movies with they want the horse to giddy up. lol) with your mouth, could you use that instead of the clicker?

...or does someone have another suggestion?

 

[hbwright]

You can substitute for a sound or a word. Some people use the word "yes" at the clicker time or the sound from your mouth would be fine also. The trick would be trying to make it sound the same each time you use the word or the sound. They get used to the sound and knows what the sound means. They also seem to respond to high pitched sounds best.

 

[Doberluv]

Absolutely. Like Hb says, you can choose a marker word, something you don't use in regular conversation. I do use the word, yes, but I make it like, "yessssss!" LOL. Or a click with your tongue, but it might not be loud enough. Or you could use a little whistle...whatever, as long as it's always followed right away with a treat or other high value thing and it is used to mark a behavior you like and want to have repeated. It's not to cue the dog, mind you....just to tell him, "yesssss," that's right. Here, have a treat.

 

[elegy]

i can't manage a clicker, leash, and treats either, so i often use the word "good" to mark behaviors.

 

[adojrts]

Learning to use a clicker while managing everything else is a challenge, everyone is the same way when they start. Easiest way to start is off leash and to wear a fanny pack or bait bag, then the only thing you have in your hand is the clicker.
If you *have* to use a leash, then try stepping on it at the end, that way it keeps your dog with you, with some freedom and keeps your hands free.
Agreed you can mark with a word.


Good luck
Lynn

 

[daaqa]

i've read that marking with a word works, but not as quickly or as precisely. clickers have no emotion, or bad days, or sore throats, etc. and so they are the same every time. they are also finding the sound triggers something in the brain that voice doesn't.

that said, i use the marker "Good" when she does something and i am no where near a clicker.

 

[Doberluv]

I think the clicker sound goes through the limbic system and words have to go through the cortex so it's quicker and just becomes more automatic rather than transferring from the cortex to the muscles....something like that.

 

[TopShelfPets]

my "marker word" is Click.

 

[Dekka]

Try to get the co ordination going to use the clicker. I have done both, work and click, clicker works much better. The biggest reason IME is that it is a novel noise. How often does your dog hear you say they word 'yes' or 'good' in daily conversation around them? The click is only used for training. I do use 'yes' if I have no clicker on me. But I use the clicker always when training new behaviours or working on difficult things.

 

[WES]

I take a bit of practice but you can hold the leash and clicker in you’re right hand give treats with your left. I use one of the treat bags you clip to your belt and a clicker with the plastic cord around your wrist. Another possibility is to clip the leash to your belt; this will leave you hands free. Good luck.