> When I made my observations about clicker training gone awry, several
> people
> pointed out that "done properly"... Yes, I understand that it's another
> issue when done with full insight as to what might happen along the way,
> not
> only with the mugging, but with the "trying too hard" attitude that I find
> equally disruptive. I'd just say if someone doesn't think they can follow
> through with "the grown-ups are talking" mindset, c/t is probably not a
> good
> choice for them. Trouble is, can the most likely to offend owners
> recognize
> that shortcoming in themselves...? From what I've seen, I'd say that many
> people can't.
>
Hi Karen,
I don't think it's fair to criticize a method because some people don't
understand how to do it properly and have created some problems. That is
true of any training method, not just clicker training.
My experience has been that clicker training is EASY to do well. It is not
rocket science, and it actually helps to improve timing and mechanical
skills in people who use it. It also teaches people how to chunk things
down into the smallest steps, and then to chunk it down again even more, if
necessary. It does take some discipline and consistency, as does any
training method done well.
If you spend any time on Judy's Clickryder list, you will see that the
majority of clicker trainers are backyard horse owners, many of whom are new
to horses. It gives them a way to stay safe and in control, even with
sometimes difficult animals. I know that was the case with me and my
dangerous OTTB, Skip, who I successfully rehabilitated myself, despite
having no previous training experience.
One of my training clients is a new horse owner who was turned off by some
poorly done clicker training. She tried it with her newly purchased,
teenaged school horse, and found him extremely food aggressive. He was also
a fairly shut down, stiff in the body horse, who had long ago learned to
protect himself from many riders.
He's a really smart and very well behaved, solid citizen, who many would say
didn't need clicker training. It took about 5 minutes of good clicker
training to teach him not to mug and to stay out of the handler's space. He
looks like a different horse now. His whole face has softened and he has a
light in his eyes and an enthusiasm for life that wasn't there before.
Some of the most well behaved horses that you see out in the world are
actually very shut down horses. The same is true of children! Most horse
owners don't want horses who think for themselves. They want horses who
obey orders from headquarters, no questions asked.
I want my horses to feel free to express their opinions, in a safe manner,
knowing that they will not be punished for it. I want them to know that
they will be listened to, and will not be forced to do anything that they
are truly uncomfortable with. If they tell me that they can't do something,
I believe them.
Are they training me? Absolutely! We are partners on this journey, and we
are all learning how to find our way and get along in a manner that enhances
all of our lives. I wouldn't want it any other way!
Mary
