The DogSmith Blog

The Use of a Clicker versus ‘Yes In Dog Training

By Niki Tudge Copyright 2012

There is always lots of discussion and debate about the use of clickers versus verbal markers such as ‘yes’ when training dogs. I actually use and recommend both, not at the same time as this weakens the conditioning effect through either blocking or overshadowing, but for different applications they  each have their place.

When I work with my dogs I can either use ’yes’ as a conditioned reinforcer or a clicker. What is important when using either of these tools is whether the conditioning has been done correctly and how their ongoing use is employed?

A conditioned reinforcer is a secondary reinforcer that has acquired reinforcing properties because it has been paired repeatedly with a primary reinforcer. A clicker or the word

‘yes’ becomes a conditioned reinforcer by being paired with food through repeated trials, click-treat, click-treat or ‘yes’-treat, ‘yes’-treat. The number of trials required will vary from dog to dog and will depend on the value of the primary reinforcer, the environment the training is being done in and the timing and presentation of the “click-treat”

Each of these tools has advantages and disadvantages. There have been scientific papers written about the efficacy of clickers versus a verbal marker. One of those papers was written by Lindsay A. Wood, MA, CTC titled “Clicker Bridging Stimulus Efficacy” data from this study provide strong evidence that the rate of novel behavior acquisition is significantly faster for dogs trained with the clicker bridging stimulus in comparison to dogs trained with the verbal word “good.”

What I present here is anecdotal evidence not on the efficacy, to that I have no apposing position, but on the practical ease of using a verbal marker “yes” versus the use of a clicker for novice dog trainers and pet dog owners.

 The Clicker

As a training tool the clicker can be hard for new dog owners and trainers to grasp; it is just another thing in their hand they have to focus on. In a new puppy class or a beginner dog training class when an owner has their dog on a leash with a treat bag around their waist and they are surrounded by lots of distractions, the clicker can be that “one too many item” they have to coordinate that throws them for a loop. Throw into the mix that they are also learning prompts and hand signals that need to be clear, consistent and concise, timed correctly with verbal cues and then the click, it is not hard to imagine a comedy of errors with clicks and treats coming from all angles, food falling on the floor and dogs performing all kinds of behaviors and being inadvertently reinforced for them during the coordination debacle.

Not to say this is always the case. I have seen, in my many years of dog training, pet dog owners pick up a clicker for the first time and immediately, through great hand-eye-coordination and manual dexterity, get it right. The clicker does offer a unique sound and when paired correctly with food it can become a very powerful training tool.

‘Yes’ The Verbal Marker

Now the ‘yes,’ or verbal marker, can be easier in some cases for pet dog owners and new dog trainers to grasp. Everyone knows how to say ‘yes’. Concentrating on using the word ’yes’ correctly can help prevent nervous dog owners second-guessing what they are doing, confusing their dog in the process, and does not need to be held or coordinated with the leash, treats etc.

It is best to practice saying the word ‘yes’ in a neutral and unique way, so when delivered it is consistent and cannot be used by mistake when interacting with your dog throughout the day. Keep it as a training tool, condition it correctly and it can be a great option.

On that note I have observed that when the ‘yes’ is used correctly it tends to delay by a second the delivery of food to the dog ensuring that the condition process is not done simultaneously or backwards. To be most effective the click or ‘yes should be started and finished before the delivery of the treat, this is called trace conditioning and is the most effective conditioning method. For those of you who perform with your dog or attend competitions ‘yes’ is that one tool you can take into the ring with you unlike the clicker that remains with your treat bag and dog gear by your crate.

We created The DogSmith for pet owners like you who are looking for a real relationship with their pet and for pets to be an integral part of their daily life.  We are dedicated to solving the same problems you have with your pets and providing for your concerns and their needs.  In fact, I started training dogs many years ago because, to be honest, like you I was frustrated and confused by the lack of good information on dog training and pet care and the ineffective training methods that seemed to be everywhere.  Some of these training methods made popular by TV either didn’t work or were dangerous for me and my own pet dog – harming our relationship.  None of these ‘fashionable’ training methods were based on modern research in scientific learning.  So I was very frustrated and didn’t know where to turn but I knew I wanted more from my relationship with my dog.  I wanted my dog to be a true member of my family.  Since I had many accomplished years of training corporate executives in the work world I somehow knew that I needed to learn to truly communicate with my beloved dog in a way my dog would understand and that would strengthen my relationship with it and not be physically or mentally damaging.  But most of all the methods had to be easy to learn and teach and could be effectively included in our busy daily lives with NO negative side effects if my husband or a child misused the techniques (imagine the damage to a dog if a toddler got a hold of the control for a shock collar and started playing with it).

The DogSmith MTR training method is the result of years of training and study combining the most advanced research in learning theory with everything we know about teaching people and animals. And the training is fun for you and your dog.  Learn more about The DogSmith and our MTR system on our website 

Although you may think all pet food manufacturers have your pet’s best interests in mind, this is not always the case. Current pet food regulations allow manufacturers to use ingredients that you would never knowingly give to your pet. In fact, you may be shocked to learn what some brands of pet food really contain. Watch this short presentation before you commit to a brand of food for your loving companion. Click on the video icon to see this important message!

Frances Dauster, CPDT, is a trainer in Alabama, USA,
Frances volunteered her own arm to experience the immediate sensations
& also any lingering after-effects of a shock-collar; BEAR IN MIND that she
is controlling the intensity, duration, & timing – none of those 3 factors are
under the control of a dog, who wears a shock-collar.
The ‘startle factor’ & the superstitious association of whatever seems most
salient to the dog, are both potent influences on side-effects of shock when
used as an interruptor, punisher, or a training tool.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 2011
The DogSmith Offers Free Educational Resources in 2012!

The DogSmith Joins with The Association of Pet Dog Trainer’s in January promoting “National Train Your Dog Month,” emphasizing the benefits of positive training and socialization for pets.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of pets are turned into animal shelters because their owners could not find reliable resources to help them with their pets’ behavior problems. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) has designated the month of January as National Train Your Dog Month to bring awareness to the importance of socialization and training for all pets. January was selected as the perfect month because so many animals are adopted and brought home during the winter holidays. In support of the APDT, The DogSmith National Dog Training and Pet Care Franchises offer a variety of free resources including puppy classes, clicker training classes, eBooks, training cards and telephone consultations. The APDT and The DogSmith hope to help families and their pets start the New Year off right with information on the behavior needs and training of their pets. The APDT provides free webinars, a full schedule of information and other resources at www.trainyourdogmonth.com. Free DogSmith resources are available at www.DogSmith.com.

The mission of The DogSmith is to help new pet dog owners start the New Year with their newest pet family member in the best way possible. Niki Tudge, The DogSmith founder, says, “We provide a variety of free resources from puppy socialization and crate training to telephone consultations so new pet owners can learn more about how easy and fun training can be. We also offer new pet dog owners and animal shelters our ‘Canine Rescue Resources Program’ (CRRP). Our CRRP includes monthly puppy socialization programs, dog training podcasts and telephone consultations, all at no cost. It is a two tiered approach which provides support, education and assistance to animal rescue groups plus educational seminars and discounted training services to animal adopters in addition to our free services. We believe by doing this we help increase the adoptability of dogs and cats from a shelter environment, help reduce the number of animals that are returned to the rescue organization and help prevent animals being surrendered in the first place.”

The APDT and The DogSmith believe that a better understanding of dog behavior can lead to happier, healthier and more harmonious households for humans and dogs.

About The DogSmith

The DogSmith Franchise Services Inc. is a Florida based company whose mission is to enhance the lives of pets and their owners by improving their relationship, and the quality of the life they share, through providing professional support and training to pet dog owners, supporting and assisting animal shelters and rescue organizations to minimize the number of unwanted animals and offering affordable and professional care to family pets so that pet ownership is never a burden. To learn more about the DogSmith or become a DogSmith Dog Trainer, visit www.DogSmith.com or call 1-888-364-7648.

But Are You So Busy Working in Your Dog Training Business That You don’t Have Time to Work On Your Business?

That was me many years ago. Like you, I got started in the Dog Training business because I love animals and I still get no bigger thrill than when I get that ‘breakthrough’ moment training a dog…That moment when the dog ‘gets it’…When we are ‘talking’…Working together as a team. Those are the moments that got me hooked on dog training in the beginning and keep me excited about my career today. But I would get so caught up with training that I would often neglect the business side of my business. I would put off marketing, developing collateral, pushing my branding, dealing with my finances, taking advantage of new technology and furthering my dog training/pet care education (we all know how hard it is to keep up with the ‘latest and greatest’). I was just too busy.

This was especially embarrassing and frustrating for me given my education and long career in the business world – I knew better, I knew what I should be doing every day. But I also knew that as a small business owner if my business wasn’t growing, it was dying. And I couldn’t do it all myself, there just wasn’t enough time in the day and none of us can be competent in every job needed in a small business…especially if you want your business to grow and prosper.
I also realized that even though my business couldn’t afford to hire the various specialties every small business needs, I needed to be focusing on areas where I my skills are strongest. So I needed to concentrate my time on doing those things in my business that I am really good at and pay someone else to do everything else. Hard to do when you have a small business, right? These are the challenges that led me to create the DogSmith.

The DogSmith offers an effective way for Dog Trainers like you to join with other professionals to support your business, enhance buying power for services and goods, gain access to business skills and services needed to grow your business, enjoy proprietary continuing education courses in primary and advanced dog training skills as well as financial, marketing, branding and business operations. As a member of The DogSmith Dog Training and Pet Care professional team you are automatically part of a mentoring and support group where you can get and give advice and insight based on experience.
As a DogSmith you receive ongoing business support, marketing plans, advertising collateral design, toll-free number, zip code driven web presence, local brand awareness, search engine optimization, colleague support forums, customer/staff management system and much more. You will never be left alone to build your business always benefiting from the best practices of your DogSmith colleagues. Call today for a no obligation consultation to find out what The DogSmith can do for you!

Written by Niki Tudge ©

We all know that many of us set New Year’s Resolutions and as the year progresses they begin to fade. This leaves us feeling frustrated, first we have not accomplished what we set out to do and then we feel like a ‘loser’ as we have failed our own expectations.
I don’t know about your but in our home I always put other things as a priority before myself, ‘they say as women we tend to do this”. Anyway this year I thought it would be fun to develop some New Year’s Resolutions for my pets as I never let them down. So I now know if all else fails with my other resolutions I will at least have accomplished some.
Here are my top5 New Year’s Resolutions for you to accomplish with your Dog. They are not in order of priority, just the way they came out when I began to think about it.

1. Enhance Your Canine-Human Relationship

Make it a priority to enhance the relationship you have with your dog. Teach it a new trick; make it your aim to play with your dog for a few minutes each day, if you have more than one dog give each one a few special moments. “The DogSmith’s MTR training eBook is a fantastic resource for all families who are looking to build and maintain basic manners, skills and most of all bonds! This easy to use step by step guide is beautifully designed in a way that invites success for both owner and dog. Once you have this in your hands you will know exactly what you need and how to begin teaching your dog in a fun and rewarding way” (Jennifer Shryock B.A. CDBC – Creator of Dogs & Storks) you can Download the free e-book at The DogSmith website

2. Teach Your Dog To Walk Nicely.

Let’s take the ‘choke’ out of training a ‘walk nicely behavior’ and replace it with clear concise instructions that builds your dog’s behavior repertoire, sets your dog up for success and rewards them when they get it right. This is a far more pleasant situation for both owner and dog. In addition to it being an ineffective training method, there are real health concerns when a dog’s head is jerked around. Find a dog trainer who uses Force-Free methods and does not instruct classes using choke chains or other aversive methods.

3. Select The Best Pet Care for Your Dog

Be very selective when choosing pet care professionals to partake in your dog’s life. Whether it is your dog walker, pet sitter, dog trainer or veterinary professional you should assemble your pet care team based on the values you choose for your dog’s wellbeing. Choose professionals that have a holistic approach to your pets care; they consider your pet’s mental, physical, environmental and nutritional wellbeing. Search for pet care providers that abide to an important set of guiding principles and business ethics.

4. Get Your Annual Veterinarian Examination.
Many pet owners underestimate the importance of an annual physical exam because their pet seems healthy. Annual exams provide an opportunity to prevent diseases, detect them early, or even avoid them altogether. Many diseases and ailments such as heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes are not often evident in early stages. Your veterinarian can conduct a comprehensive exam that includes a lab analysis, heart check, and dental exam to ensure top physical shape and optimum health for years to come.

5. Become a More Responsible Pet Dog Owner.
I believe owning a dog is a privilege not a right. It should be a privilege to own one and a responsibility to care for it. So in 2012 enroll your dog into a ‘Canine Good Citizen™ program. Started in 1989, the CGC™ Program is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. Not only will your dog learn some really nice manners and be awarded a certificate but you will also have to sign ‘The Owners Pledge which details your role in the partnership.

Niki Tudge – DogSmith Founder. www.DogSmith.com Phone 1.888.Dog-Smith (364-7648)

Written by Niki Tudge Copyright 2011

If putting a human, by nature a social being, in jail or solitary confinement is intended as punishment, then surely, isolating, chaining or tethering a dog will have the same effect on the canine soul. Dogs are domesticated, the most domesticated animal there is. Bred by humans to be companions and work partners, we have selected and bred dogs with highly social genes. Because of this selective breeding, dogs now have personality traits that need our attention, our time and our kind benevolent leadership. If our attention and participation in their lives is missing then dogs become lonely and bored. This loneliness leads to frustration and stress that in turn leads to behavioral problems. Excessive barking, pacing, self-mutilation and other destructive behaviors are all symptoms displayed by a dog that is not having its mental and physical needs met.

Dogs are not only social beings they are also very inquisitive and enjoy exploring. They need to interact with their environment and with other dogs. From these interactions, dogs benefit from the mental stimulation of new challenges, sights and sounds. If they are restricted from companions or there life is reduced to a tedious limited environment then they can suffer mental stress. For a dog, loneliness is abandonment. Many dogs find themselves reduced to a life isolated from their human pack because they lack basic behavior and social skills that are needed to live peacefully in the human environment.

Below is an example of the downward spiral we see in a dog’s behavior when it does not receive the training, exercise and social interaction required:

The dog enters the home as a puppy or a young dog. The owners are excited, the dog is a bundle of fun but no management or training plan is put in place. There is no housetraining plan and at the same time the dog is being handled by each of the family members differently and the wrong behaviors are being rewarded. Puppies are inadvertently encouraged to jump, pull and nip. As the puppy grows those small potty accidents become more annoying and the puppy is punished for the bad behavior rather than being shown and guided to the right behavior.

Puppy romps on a leash turn into walking nightmares. As the puppy grows in size and strength it is no longer fun to run behind a small ball of fur. The leash pulling becomes annoying and dangerous to the owner and the dog. The leash walks become less frequent as nobody enjoys walking the dog and the dogs’ energy levels build. This results in an overly energetic dog with high levels of frustration and no appropriate physical outlet.

A lack of daily physical exercise results in destructive and irritating behaviors.  The dog is more frequently left alone and for longer periods of time. Attention seeking behaviors prevail and the dog’s behavior spirals downhill and out of control leaving the owners with an overwhelming feeling of helplessness.  The dog has become an inconvenience and a chore and the owner-dog relationship breaks down. The dog will be punished and this is justified by the owner to help alleviate their own feelings of inadequacy. The owners convince themselves that they have done everything possible; their dog is dumb, stupid or both.

To save the family home the dog is now reduced to living in the yard with minimal contact from its owners. The dog now engages in behaviors such as digging holes, chewing at outside furniture or attempting to escape its life of solitude.  In some cases the dog’s behavior becomes such an aversive for the owners that they physically restrain the dog in a kennel run or on a tether. This is a very sad outcome for the owners and a devastating and cruel outcome for the family pet.

The solutions are simple. From the onset, right off the bat, invest some time and money and enroll your dog into a well run and organized puppy class. You will save hours of future frustration, eliminate damage to your home, your furniture and your yard. You, as a responsible pet owner, will teach your dog how to successfully share your home – surely that was your goal when you made the decision to being a dog into your family. A well run puppy class will teach you how to house-train your puppy, prevent problematic nipping and biting, socialize your puppy so it’s safe around other dogs and people and if you take the time you will learn the obedience basics, sit/down/stay and walk nicely.

Before you spend hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars on your pet dog and all its accompanying equipment, toys and outfits think about how you plan to train your dog.  More pet dogs are euthanized due to behavior than illness. Don’t let your pet dog become another sad statistic in our animal shelters.

Talk to your local DogSmith, request a FREE consultation or search for a Force Free Dog Trainer. Check out The Pet Industry Portal

Written by Niki Tudge. Copyright 2011

Dip, ABT, Diploma. Animal Behavior Technology, Dip, CBST. Diploma Canine Behavior Science and Technology Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers -CPDT-KA, APDT – Professional Member, NADOI-Certified,The Canine Behavior College. Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, Association of Animal Behavior Professionals – Professional Dog Trainer, American Kennel Club “Canine Good Citizen”™ Evaluator, The International  Training Board, TS1, TS2,TS3

How My Journey Began

I began my journey into the pet industry over twelve years ago. The industry had a very different landscape then. A dog trainer was somebody you called for advice on how to attain the leadership role in your home. The belief was that each and every day you awoke and got up from your bed you had to fend off a hostile leadership takeover spearheaded by your pet dog. The professional advice dispensed was all about how to make your dog OBEY!

Many of the readily available methods were far from humane and in many cases extremely ineffective or dangerous to the well-being of your beloved pet. Searching the internet for dog training books was another challenge. They were hard to find and when they could be located it was not unusual to read advice like “if your dog does not sit, then pull up strongly on the leash while pushing down hard on the dog’s back end.” This is actually a very tempered example.

Much of the professional emphasis was placed around punishing your dog and teaching them who is the boss. These methods and dispensed advice led to many misguided pet owners. Even in the year 2000, I could not comprehend these methods nor was I about to embark on a dog training journey with my first pet dog using such an unpleasant approach. An approach that appeared to be physically and mentally intimidating to my dog and proved to be highly aversive to me and I was at the more preferable end of the leash.

Training wasn’t the only challenge back then.  If you needed professional care for your pet while you vacationed and you were insightful enough to recognize that a commercial boarding kennel may not be a wise choice for your little ‘fluffy’ then you probably tried in-home pet care. This pet care would normally have been negotiated with your neighbor over the garden fence on a warm Saturday afternoon. This contracted labor agreement left some poor press-ganged teenager, who had other ideas about how to spend their summer vacation, caring for the family pet.  I know this all too well. Yes, I was once that begrudging and often belligerent pet-sitting teenager set loose into the homes of our neighbors to feed and water precious pets. I fondly remember a regular client of mine, Hercules. Hercey, as he was fondly called, was a large Ginger Tom who headed up the pet coalition in our neighborhood. Hercules intimidated all and any dogs that crossed his path. He certainly kept me on a tight feeding schedule with his insistent body rubs and shrill meows.

In my earlier years I don’t ever recall the need for dog walkers. Our neighborhood dogs took themselves off for their daily romps. It was a very usual sight to see Scruffy, our neighborhood’s resident canine, happily wandering around while his family members were at work and school.

So here we are at the end of 2011. Oh how things have changed. The marketplace is now saturated with dog trainers, pet-sitters and dog walkers.  Pet care books and the latest training fads are published at a fast rate. Because of the growth of the pet industry it can be difficult determining what works and what doesn’t.  The methods, philosophies and techniques of many  ‘experts’ on dog training and pet care  can be buried in the marketing message and industry jargon often hiding  obsolete techniques, questionable methods, regressive philosophies or damaging equipment choices.  As in any industry, Pet care professionals range from the highly professional to the 21st century version of the reluctant and now more technologically savvy teenager left to care for a beloved pet.

The DogSmith was created to provide a place where like-minded professionals can be more easily found by clients looking for highly effective, force-free, pet care and dog training professionals. The DogSmith provides a one-stop resource for clients who want highly professional pet care providers and dog training professionals who are honest in their marketing, force-free in their methods and highly ethical in their business practices. So if you have found yourself agreeing with my take on the industry then learn more about The DogSmith here

I have personally witnessed through training client experiences  over the last few years at least four serious accidents due to the use of retractable leashes. Broken noses to dislocated shoulders. Here at The DogSmth we just don’t use them, period. In a group training class environment they are dangerous as they get tangled around the owner, the dog and any other location objects. They do not offer the pet owner full control of their dog and they are too bulky to hold. When walking dogs they are unreliable and do not ensure the dog walker has correct and safe  control of the dog.  The brake mechanism can fail and if a dog takes off at speed they can drag you along causing injury and leave the dog in a dangerous situation too.

We even brief our clients  when doing private in-home training  appointments not to rely on them to keep their dog safe.  Only a few weeks ago on our DogSmith Franchise Owner Facebook group I was reminded  of an occasion when a small  aggressive dog on a retractable leash, outside their home, ran toward a colleague of mine. The owner looked on in horror as she realized the brake on the retractable leash had broken. All ended well, but as my colleague so eloquently put it in her comical description of events she was saved by a fast paced Irish Jig that prevented the small dog from locking onto her ankles.

In a consumer report written in May of 2009 one poor lady had her finger sliced off when her dog took off after something and the leash became wrapped around her finger. In 2007 there were more than 16,000 reported accidents due to the use of retractable leashes. Legal action against one manufacturer of this leash type lead to an updated disclaimer on the product,

“To avoid the risk of eye or face injury and cuts, burns, and amputations to your body or the body of another person from the leash cord/tape or all belt and hook, (sic) read and follow these Warnings and Directions for Use before using your Flexi leash.” For more information on the dangers of retractable leashes read more here

So in short we here at The DogSmith do not recommend them, we certainly as pet care professionals do not use them even when just out for a short walk with a clients dog.