Logger--Partner of Joyce
<< Do you think that the clicker training was the most important factor in
your training? What other ideas worked for you? >>
I believe that it was primarily the clicker training that saved my
relationship with Logger. Actually, it was the "concept" behind clicker training, as
the clicker is actually just a bridge to show the horse exactly what it did
right. It taught me to break things down into the tiniest steps and praise
him along the way as he accomplished each step, instead of looking at the big
picture of what I ultimately wanted and getting frustrated because he wasn't
doing it. I started to see that Logger actually had many little successes
and I became less frustrated--I think Logger started to see this as well.
Most importantly, I learned to loosen up and have fun with Logger. His
personality has blossomed with clicker training and I spend a great deal of
time laughing at his antics while training him. It becomes fun for both of
us. I realized yesterday that clicker training has also taught me to become
very in-tune to Logger's every move, every sigh, every ear-twitch. Because
of that, I can now see the signs he gives just before he is about to "act up"
and I can catch him before he does. I usually make him do something else
instead, even if its just to step to the side or "put his ears up" when he
pins them and then am able to praise him.
Tonight I decided to torture Logger with a hula hoop. I am not sure what I
want him to eventually do with it, but I figured that tonight I would just
get him to target it. It ended up being a perfect training tool to help
de-spook Logger. The hula hoop is filled with little beads and everytime I
moved it would rattle and Logger would get spooked and walk away. I clicked
him for looking at the hula hoop, and then curiosity (and knowing I had
treats of course ) got the best of him and he cautiously approached, C/T.
He then started to touch it, but he would make it rattle and would jump back.
Each time he came back to touch the hula, and instead of jumping back, he
just moved his head. We ended our little session with him eagerly touching
the hoop and not flinching at all when it rattled!
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