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The Thinking Dog: Crossover to Clicker Training
Teach your dog to think
It is such a joy to work with a dog who proactively engages in behaviors while you build a relationship that will surprise you in its depth and versatility. Clicker training has proven to be the most effective means of developing a Thinking Dog, one who offers behaviors in anticipation of a reward rather than a dog who has been trained only to wait for his owner’s commands.
One of the biggest obstacles the new clicker trainer faces, however, is his or her own history of training and habits of working with a dog. But you can make the transition once you understand how dogs learn and the mechanisms of operant conditioning. Learn from author Gail Fisher’s crossover experiences as well as those of the hundreds of students she has helped make the change over the past thirteen years.
You will
-How dog training has evolved over the past 100 years, the strengths and weaknesses of various training styles, and to what extent you can intergrate your previous methods with clicker training.
-The particular challenges you will face as you crossover from whatever style of training you have used in the past (compulsion, luring, etc.) to clicker training.
-The detailed nuts and bolts of clicker training - from getting a behavior started, to methods of rewarding, to reducing the need to click and treat over time while still getting the results you want.
-How to work with dogs trained with force or harsh methods and change them into behavior-offering dynamos.
Experienced trainers applaud The Thinking
The Thinking Dog offers a wonderfully thoughtful guide to clicker training. Written with the more traditional trainer in mind, Gail Fisher’s long experience and hard-won wisdom shine through in her logical approach. Clear explanations, practical exercises, and lovely real life examples (including photos) make for a refreshing treatment of clicker training. I highly recommended this book to all thinking trainers who share with Fisher her “delight in watching a dog’s mind turn on.” The Thinking Dog is my new favorite clicker training book!
Suzanne Clothier, author of Bones Would Rain from the Sky
Gail Fisher’s grasp of all subject matter pertaining to clicker training shines through in this book! It is obvious that she is a “been there-done that” crossover clicker trainer, understands the needs of someone who wants to make the switch, and can hold the trainer’s hand throughout the process. The Thinking Dog is a great refresher course for the experienced clicker trainer too.
Corally Burmaster, founder and editor of The Clicker Journal
This is a must have book for anyone involved in dog training. Gail is a pioneer in the field of positive dog training and her own techniques have evolved over time as she has learned more about how dogs think and learn. This book provides a solid foundation for clicker training including answers to all the most challenging questions and paths around the most common obstacles.
Robin K. Bennett, author of All About Dog Daycare, co-author of Off Leash Dog Play
It is such a joy to work with a dog who proactively engages in behaviors while you build a relationship that will surprise you in its depth and versatility. Clicker training has proven to be the most effective means of developing a Thinking Dog, one who offers behaviors in anticipation of a reward rather than a dog who has been trained only to wait for his owner’s commands.
One of the biggest obstacles the new clicker trainer faces, however, is his or her own history of training and habits of working with a dog. But you can make the transition once you understand how dogs learn and the mechanisms of operant conditioning. Learn from author Gail Fisher’s crossover experiences as well as those of the hundreds of students she has helped make the change over the past thirteen years.
You will
-How dog training has evolved over the past 100 years, the strengths and weaknesses of various training styles, and to what extent you can intergrate your previous methods with clicker training.
-The particular challenges you will face as you crossover from whatever style of training you have used in the past (compulsion, luring, etc.) to clicker training.
-The detailed nuts and bolts of clicker training - from getting a behavior started, to methods of rewarding, to reducing the need to click and treat over time while still getting the results you want.
-How to work with dogs trained with force or harsh methods and change them into behavior-offering dynamos.
Experienced trainers applaud The Thinking
The Thinking Dog offers a wonderfully thoughtful guide to clicker training. Written with the more traditional trainer in mind, Gail Fisher’s long experience and hard-won wisdom shine through in her logical approach. Clear explanations, practical exercises, and lovely real life examples (including photos) make for a refreshing treatment of clicker training. I highly recommended this book to all thinking trainers who share with Fisher her “delight in watching a dog’s mind turn on.” The Thinking Dog is my new favorite clicker training book!
Suzanne Clothier, author of Bones Would Rain from the Sky
Gail Fisher’s grasp of all subject matter pertaining to clicker training shines through in this book! It is obvious that she is a “been there-done that” crossover clicker trainer, understands the needs of someone who wants to make the switch, and can hold the trainer’s hand throughout the process. The Thinking Dog is a great refresher course for the experienced clicker trainer too.
Corally Burmaster, founder and editor of The Clicker Journal
This is a must have book for anyone involved in dog training. Gail is a pioneer in the field of positive dog training and her own techniques have evolved over time as she has learned more about how dogs think and learn. This book provides a solid foundation for clicker training including answers to all the most challenging questions and paths around the most common obstacles.
Robin K. Bennett, author of All About Dog Daycare, co-author of Off Leash Dog Play
- GenresDogsAnimalsNonfiction
328 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
36 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 12, 2016
Amazing book to help people understand and think about how a dog really learns and how to capitalize on that to learn and use clicker training (positive-based reinforcement) to deepen your bond with your dog, enhance their ability to use their brains, and and have great fun all at the same time!
If you ever had to yank on your dog during a walk, or didn't know how to respond to an unwanted behavior, this book will give you a new and helpful way of handling living with dogs!
Read it, it will change your life and the life of the dogs in your household.
If you ever had to yank on your dog during a walk, or didn't know how to respond to an unwanted behavior, this book will give you a new and helpful way of handling living with dogs!
Read it, it will change your life and the life of the dogs in your household.
February 22, 2014
Of the many dog training books that I've read or browsed through in the last year, this book is the clearest, most detailed, and most useful. I'm not sure if I'll ever "finish" it, as I'm working my way through it as I try to train my dog.
February 10, 2011
Well written and very informative. So much information in this book that I wish I had bought it in written format instead of e-reader. Excellent information especially for those who are not sure about changing from traditional training methods to clicker training.
February 16, 2018
A good read for everyone, not only is this a how to guide, but it also addresses why you should behavior mark with a clicker and some real life testimonies.
Currently reading
April 11, 2009I am still reading this book, but so far I am liking it a lot. Gail Fisher does a good job of helping crossover dog trainers.
March 21, 2012
not just a how to book, really gets into dog behavior and why clicker training really works.
July 6, 2015
So far so good, Gail does a nice job explaining her journey from traditional methods to becoming a clicker trainer.
March 27, 2015
Outstanding. Everyone training a dog should read this.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews