Stefani, you could try having your mom find that toy the dog wants, but as long as she's not really that interested either, it just won't work. Sometimes its just being allowed to do what the do wants: ie, dog wants to go for a walk. Dog must sit down at door before it opens. So your mom tells dog to sit, hand signal whatever, until dog sits, door doesn't open. Dog sits, door opens, walk ensue's.... same thing with getting to the beach etc. Whatever skill you want to work, reward with activity dog wants. 

I use "yes" also along with clicker. I find both enforcing, when you don't have clicker, yes works just as well although maybe not as accurate.

Interesting perspective. Around here, where lots of people do dog agility and most of them are women, tugging play and clickers are commonly used (as well as treats and lots of loving). I love clicker training and so have all of my dogs, male or female. Their attention level goes way up as soon as the clicker comes out, as you can tell by the photo of my dog with my clicker that you've got at the top of your article. Glad you like the photo and I'm delighted that it's being used, but please add a visible link back to its source on Wikipedia with some kind of note that that's where it came from (e.g., "photo from Wikipedia"), which would be the basic minimum requirement for using photos from WP. Thanks!

I was all about the clicker when I decided to start training the cats. Alas, the two ferals (who were, at the time, still relatively feral) were totally petrified of the thing. I devised other methods, and I've found that I don't miss it.

It's probably for the better, though... I would often find myself absentmindedly clicking the thing when I wasn't paying attention. Me + clicker probably ultimately = very confused animal.

I will confess, though... it's going to be a couple of years before my schedule and housing arrangements are conducive to dog ownership, but I am already scoping out all the gear. (And, yeah, I'm a chick.)

My service dog school uses clickers and GLs. According to my trainer, it really helps get the precision we need on many behaviors. My SDIT is doing great with clicker training and gentle leader. I didn't find it hard to phase out treats at all, once he knew what I wanted.

I rarely use clickers. I hate the sound and the extra thing to keep track of. However sometimes it is needed for that little bit of extra precision for some dogs. For deaf dogs I use a thumbs up hand signal as a marker.

I normally use a marker word of Yes! instead. (good dog works well for some people who just cant seem to remember yes)

Never noticed a difference in that specific way before. My male clients avoid the head collars because most don't seem to mind the dog yanking on them like the women in my experience.

There are SO many ways to train dogs. It is mainly about being clear in your communication regardless of methods.

Glad you and your son are having fun with the training! (and the dogs to of course)

http://k-9solutionsdogtraininginc.blogspot.com

Personally, I've had a sex change over the years.  I've learned to do what the guys do - it seems to work better; although I prefer a whistle to a clicker.  My critters have long memories and when the treats are cut down, so is their obedient behavior!

Fascinating!

Clickers are from Mars, Goodies are from Venus, I s'pose.

PS: Slumdog's a great name, reminds people that a wonderful pet came from the mean streets. I vote to keep the name.

Bob, you are hy-larious!! Keep posting.

So glad someone finally convinced you those Frenchies could be trained. :-))))))))) So glad you found a trainer who could appropriately train you. :-))))))))

I hate what I call "gadget training". I'm going to start a movement called "nekkid training" where all you have is you and the dog. No leash even. OK,OK, you can keep treats in your mouth — if you must. 

(My clicker has a wrist coil on it so I don't misplace it. I hate that blasted clicker, but I find a use for it occasionally and reach for it from my training toolbox when I need to.)

"The women? Lots of treats. And sometimes fluffy toys. The men? They love rope toys and gear ("gentle leaders" andfrontclip harnesses)."

When we were first married and visiting out my wife would say, "It's time to go" and stick a hard candy in my mouth...

I guess I'm willing to try the harness...

What, other than love or treats, can be used to train a dog?

My mom is partial to maltese and she has her 2nd, a 2 year old female.  This dog hates to eat.  She is just not about food.

Like all my mom's previous dogs, she is not well trained (my mom lacks the patience to hold up her end of the training role).  She does "fetch" partially (she will run and get the toy, but giving it back to you?  Not so much.)

I wonder, though, what could even be used to "train" this dog since she does not respond to treats.  She is being loved on all the time so love probably wouldn't do it either.  I guess the toy would be the only thing.

I teach classes at a local petstore part time.  I have found that the kids are GREAT with clickers.  I am not a gamer, so I didn't put it together, but my husband did.  Like H.Houlahan said - video games!  Teaches them perfect timing.  Most of the times the kids can't tell you exactly why they clicked - but their brain recognized that the dog did something right, so that finger pushes the button.  Fun to watch.

Kids are practically born with their fingers on a "clicker" these days -- game boy, x-box, texting.  Their brains are wired to press down when they see the stimulus that calls for it.

Not gender, generation.

And really, rather worrisome in a larger sense.

I'm a woman and I LOVE dog gear AND treats and toys! My dog doesn't really like toys unless they dispense food, so I buy him every treat dispensing toy out there. He has several collars and harnesses and we use the clicker for learning new things, but belly rubs or ear scritches are staple rewards.

I think that part of loving the gear is the enjoyment I get from "spoiling" him without actually spoiling him. He doesn't care that he has 3 handmade collars or a fancy new water bowl, but it's a way for me to indulge my desire to pamper him without stuffing him full of treats.

In my classes I don't notice a difference between men and women when it comes to clicker obsession, but if there's a kid in the class I can bet money that he or she will be the best clicker in the room.

I tried using tongue clicks with the horse because I thought it was easier/less to keep up with. But my accuracy was way off(I suspect) because going back to the actual clicker has gotten much better results. So now the clicker lives in my pocket with the cookies. And Horsie actually works to get his ears in reach so I will finally click him darnit! (Instead of the previous "OH NOES! Not the ears!" reaction.)

Karen Pryor's latest book is a really good read-stories and science!

I'd say I have had more luck demanding obediance than requesting it. The men in my life have always tended to ask the animals to do something, instead of expecting them to obey. My men have always been about fun and rewards first, so the obediance never really followed. I really think if you don't allow room for the possibility of disobedience, you won't get it. And let me tell you, enforcing it is very important. I still have a problem with my lab, Charlie. I can't tell you how many times I've run into the snow (rain, etc)in my socks (jammies, etc) because when I called him in he'd just look up and continue on his merry way!  I've had different outcomes with different training philosophies:

My current dog, Charlie (a big lug of a lab), I bribed shamelessly with treats, I tried various collars, finally settling with the gentle leader. Even still, he's the type of dog that just does whatever he wants. He KNOWS his commands, but CHOOSES to ignore them a lot of the time. (I have tried many different techniques with the same results) I still consistently have to enforce my commands with him far too often, but now that he's 11, I just don't see that changing any time soon ;) He's the only dog I've had that had to go to a professional training school, and I'm sure they only "passed" him because he's such a happy goof!

My previous dog RT (shep collie cross)was a dream. I trained her with no treats, no negative reinforcement. When I snapped my fingers (I have a very crisp and loud finger snap) she obeyed instantly.But unlike the clicker, I would snap as soon as (or instead of) a verbal command. My philosophy when training her was "You'll do what I say because I'm the boss". It worked for her. She lived for my love and praise. We practised often and it was sheer repetition that trained her. She turned out to be the type of dog that would obey in ANY circumstance.

I tend to disagree on the clicker being more for men than women. I loved the clicker right away and use it frequently espically as I'm trying to target specific behaviours toward and end goal. My husband who hasn't really used a clicker has had a hard time getting the timing right and he's very generous with treats. Now this might be that I've done the majority of training with our dog but who knows.

Clickers are exact, and for kids they are great because they can target the cue right away and not have to worry about saying the right word. Keep trying, you'll get the hang of it. Just remember that even a opps click, gets the treat.