>>>> I decided to take a couple of days off clicker training. More of a >>>> retreat and regroup while I organise a plan. Well I still do >>>> maintainance with some carrots and otherwise they get feed in a bowl as >>>> before the clicker training. This is definitely not acceptable to >>>> Ofeig. She wants the training please. In fact I'm altogether worried >>>> that she is too bonded to me. Is that possible? Maybe she is addicted >>>> to clicker training.
I'm all for any type of positive training, but that said, I have definitely encountered a few horses that had become clicker junkies. Seriously, I've seen a couple who got so worked up trying to "guess" what would get them a click and treat that they would actually stop thinking, and resort to simply "doing" rotely, and in a demanding way. There are ways to misapply any type of training technique - no matter how hard we try to get things right the first time. We're human, and they're horses, so we make a few mistakes... :) Taking a few days off until you get inspired on how to proceed is probably a wise move. Maybe you could try adding in some other positive groundwork games, some that aren't so food-based? TTEAM, Parelli Seven Games, Lyons, Dorrence.... Horses can become pretty tuned-in, responsive and participatory learners even without food rewards. I do give my horses treats at times, but they are also generally pretty tuned-in even without food. Is this your first horse? Your first clicker-training experience? Karen Thomas, NC
