Trouble with clicker training

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This topic has 19sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 11 months ago by Royal.

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- 08/09/2017 at 12:20 PM
  12345ABCDE
  Participant
  5584 posts
  Hi guys, my bunnies have been having their new pellets (protexin) for a few weeks now. I’ve built up from 1 pellet to 11 pellets so far – I know, I spoil them I’ve been using the pellets for clicker training but I’m not making any progress. So far all I’m doing is *click* then give the pellet but they don’t seem to understand the connection. Any tips? I think they get so excited that they can’t focus on anything. Usually I’ll hold the pellet in my hands (one in each hand for each bun) and my boyfriend will press the clicker. Should I try a different technique?
- 08/09/2017 at 12:31 PM
  Dface
  Participant
  1084 posts
  Are you pressing the clicker and then giving the treats or are you offering treats simultaneously/slightly before?
  The reward should come after the clicker has sounded. Think Pavlovs dogs, ring the bell, give the food, eventually there doesnt need to be food for the dog to drool when he hears the bell.
  That means that if its a trick you want them to execute they have to do the trick, clicker is used, to reinforce that it is correct(essentially the clicker replaces you saying “good bunny” as human tones can change, a clicker makes a consistent noise), then the reward is given later
- 08/09/2017 at 12:35 PM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  Hmm, I would think that your method is the best way to get them to associate treat with click… The only thing that I can offer is maybe to try and train them separately? Maybe they can’t concentrate because they want to make sure they get the pellet and not the other bun? I’ve never had a bonded pair so I wouldn’t know if that’s a thing lol. But maybe they are “individual” learners not group learners I didn’t use a clicker ever but Ophelia did learn some “tricks” when I got her, like to turn in a circle before she got a treat. Then I got really busy and we stopped doing it that way but she would come up to me any time I had food and just start circling hahah
- 08/09/2017 at 1:13 PM
  12345ABCDE
  Participant
  5584 posts
  Posted By Dface on 8/09/2017 12:31 PM
  
  Are you pressing the clicker and then giving the treats or are you offering treats simultaneously/slightly before?
  The reward should come after the clicker has sounded. Think Pavlovs dogs, ring the bell, give the food, eventually there doesnt need to be food for the dog to drool when he hears the bell.
  That means that if its a trick you want them to execute they have to do the trick, clicker is used, to reinforce that it is correct(essentially the clicker replaces you saying “good bunny” as human tones can change, a clicker makes a consistent noise), then the reward is given later
  
  I click then give the treat immediately after. I tried it a little differently this evening. Usually I sit on the floor with them and hold one pellet in each hand and they can smell it and try to get at it before I open my hand. I wondered if that was fueling their excitement? I sat on the sofa with pellets out of their reach this time and reached down to give it to them at the right time. It seemed to help dull the excitable behaviour a bit so hopefully this will make it easier for them to connect the dots.
- 08/09/2017 at 1:16 PM
  12345ABCDE
  Participant
  5584 posts
  Posted By BunNoob<3 on 8/09/2017 12:35 PM
  
  Hmm, I would think that your method is the best way to get them to associate treat with click… The only thing that I can offer is maybe to try and train them separately? Maybe they can’t concentrate because they want to make sure they get the pellet and not the other bun? I’ve never had a bonded pair so I wouldn’t know if that’s a thing lol. But maybe they are “individual” learners not group learners I didn’t use a clicker ever but Ophelia did learn some “tricks” when I got her, like to turn in a circle before she got a treat. Then I got really busy and we stopped doing it that way but she would come up to me any time I had food and just start circling hahah
  
  I do think they’d ‘get it’ easier’ if I worked with them individually but trying to split them up would be impossible unless I put one in carrier and alternated. But that would stress them out too much I could try and work with Peanut when Buttercup is messing around upstairs but she doesn’t always like to go up. And she can sense when treats are out lol.
- 08/09/2017 at 1:48 PM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  Posted By sarahthegemini on 8/09/2017 1:16 PM
  
  Posted By BunNoob<3 on 8/09/2017 12:35 PM
  
  Hmm, I would think that your method is the best way to get them to associate treat with click… The only thing that I can offer is maybe to try and train them separately? Maybe they can’t concentrate because they want to make sure they get the pellet and not the other bun? I’ve never had a bonded pair so I wouldn’t know if that’s a thing lol. But maybe they are “individual” learners not group learners I didn’t use a clicker ever but Ophelia did learn some “tricks” when I got her, like to turn in a circle before she got a treat. Then I got really busy and we stopped doing it that way but she would come up to me any time I had food and just start circling hahah
  
  I do think they’d ‘get it’ easier’ if I worked with them individually but trying to split them up would be impossible unless I put one in carrier and alternated. But that would stress them out too much I could try and work with Peanut when Buttercup is messing around upstairs but she doesn’t always like to go up. And she can sense when treats are out lol.
  
  Well we definitely wouldn’t want her to be stressed out! They have a sixth sense when it comes to treats…. If I even walk in the direction of the pellets bin, Ophelia is suddenly there by it, waiting for me to give her some. Silly bun!! Maybe you could click, get their attention, then click once more and give the pellet? I used herbs when I was teaching Ophelia some things because she goes absolutely nutso when pellets are involved!! All manners go out the window
- 08/10/2017 at 1:26 PM
  pinknfwuffy
  Participant
  660 posts
  Definitely a bit harder with two buns, I would think. I would suggest doing the training spontaneously. Don’t let them smell it first or know that you have anything. Just walk up to them while they’re hopping around, click, and offer it. I’ve also found it can take a long time with rabbits. It doesn’t seem like they get it at all and then one day they just suddenly know what to do like it was so normal all along. You’re smart to use two people. If you are alone,you may want to ditch the clicker and make the sound yourself. The clicker was too loud for Olaf so now I just make a clicking noise and he gets it. It also keeps my hands free so it may help so then you can have a pellet in each hand.
  
  You may also want to try clicking once, offering the pellet, then moving to the other side of the room. Once they know you have a treat they may be more willing to follow and, therefore, get that the click is proceeded by yummy things.
  
  Good luck!
- 08/10/2017 at 3:14 PM
  Royal
  Participant
  57 posts
  Instead of sitting down on the ground or the sofa, you can make a pointer by gluing a cat toy that makes sounds or a bell to a long stick. When they follow the pointer then you can click and give them a treat. That way, it may be easier to clicker train if you are alone. Just use the pointer in one hand, have the clicker taped to the stick as well so you can still click, and have the treats/pellets in the other hand. And you don’t have to sit by them, which as you said, makes them excited. Hopes this helps! Good luck!
- 08/10/2017 at 3:15 PM
  Royal
  Participant
  57 posts
  Instead of sitting down on the ground or the sofa, you can make a pointer by gluing a cat toy that makes sounds or a bell to a long stick. When they follow the pointer then you can click and give them a treat. That way, it may be easier to clicker train if you are alone. Just use the pointer in one hand, have the clicker taped to the stick as well so you can still click, and have the treats/pellets in the other hand. And you don’t have to sit by them, which as you said, makes them excited. Hopes this helps! Good luck!
- 08/10/2017 at 3:15 PM
  Royal
  Participant
  57 posts
  Instead of sitting down on the ground or the sofa, you can make a pointer by gluing a cat toy that makes sounds or a bell to a long stick. When they follow the pointer then you can click and give them a treat. That way, it may be easier to clicker train if you are alone. Just use the pointer in one hand, have the clicker taped to the stick as well so you can still click, and have the treats/pellets in the other hand. And you don’t have to sit by them, which as you said, makes them excited. Hopes this helps! Good luck!
- 08/10/2017 at 3:15 PM
  Royal
  Participant
  57 posts
  Instead of sitting down on the ground or the sofa, you can make a pointer by gluing a cat toy that makes sounds or a bell to a long stick. When they follow the pointer then you can click and give them a treat. That way, it may be easier to clicker train if you are alone. Just use the pointer in one hand, have the clicker taped to the stick as well so you can still click, and have the treats/pellets in the other hand. And you don’t have to sit by them, which as you said, makes them excited. Hopes this helps! Good luck!
- 08/10/2017 at 3:15 PM
  Royal
  Participant
  57 posts
  Instead of sitting down on the ground or the sofa, you can make a pointer by gluing a cat toy that makes sounds or a bell to a long stick. When they follow the pointer then you can click and give them a treat. That way, it may be easier to clicker train if you are alone. Just use the pointer in one hand, have the clicker taped to the stick as well so you can still click, and have the treats/pellets in the other hand. And you don’t have to sit by them, which as you said, makes them excited. Hopes this helps! Good luck!
- 08/10/2017 at 3:15 PM
  Royal
  Participant
  57 posts
  Instead of sitting down on the ground or the sofa, you can make a pointer by gluing a cat toy that makes sounds or a bell to a long stick. When they follow the pointer then you can click and give them a treat. That way, it may be easier to clicker train if you are alone. Just use the pointer in one hand, have the clicker taped to the stick as well so you can still click, and have the treats/pellets in the other hand. And you don’t have to sit by them, which as you said, makes them excited. Hopes this helps! Good luck!
- 08/10/2017 at 3:15 PM
  Royal
  Participant
  57 posts
  Instead of sitting down on the ground or the sofa, you can make a pointer by gluing a cat toy that makes sounds or a bell to a long stick. When they follow the pointer then you can click and give them a treat. That way, it may be easier to clicker train if you are alone. Just use the pointer in one hand, have the clicker taped to the stick as well so you can still click, and have the treats/pellets in the other hand. And you don’t have to sit by them, which as you said, makes them excited. Hopes this helps! Good luck!
- 08/10/2017 at 3:15 PM
  Royal
  Participant
  57 posts
  Instead of sitting down on the ground or the sofa, you can make a pointer by gluing a cat toy that makes sounds or a bell to a long stick. When they follow the pointer then you can click and give them a treat. That way, it may be easier to clicker train if you are alone. Just use the pointer in one hand, have the clicker taped to the stick as well so you can still click, and have the treats/pellets in the other hand. And you don’t have to sit by them, which as you said, makes them excited. Hopes this helps! Good luck!
- 08/10/2017 at 3:15 PM
  Royal
  Participant
  57 posts
  Instead of sitting down on the ground or the sofa, you can make a pointer by gluing a cat toy that makes sounds or a bell to a long stick. When they follow the pointer then you can click and give them a treat. That way, it may be easier to clicker train if you are alone. Just use the pointer in one hand, have the clicker taped to the stick as well so you can still click, and have the treats/pellets in the other hand. And you don’t have to sit by them, which as you said, makes them excited. Hopes this helps! Good luck!
- 08/10/2017 at 3:15 PM
  Royal
  Participant
  57 posts
  Instead of sitting down on the ground or the sofa, you can make a pointer by gluing a cat toy that makes sounds or a bell to a long stick. When they follow the pointer then you can click and give them a treat. That way, it may be easier to clicker train if you are alone. Just use the pointer in one hand, have the clicker taped to the stick as well so you can still click, and have the treats/pellets in the other hand. And you don’t have to sit by them, which as you said, makes them excited. Hopes this helps! Good luck!
- 08/10/2017 at 3:15 PM
  Royal
  Participant
  57 posts
  Instead of sitting down on the ground or the sofa, you can make a pointer by gluing a cat toy that makes sounds or a bell to a long stick. When they follow the pointer then you can click and give them a treat. That way, it may be easier to clicker train if you are alone. Just use the pointer in one hand, have the clicker taped to the stick as well so you can still click, and have the treats/pellets in the other hand. And you don’t have to sit by them, which as you said, makes them excited. Hopes this helps! Good luck!
- 08/10/2017 at 3:15 PM
  Royal
  Participant
  57 posts
  Instead of sitting down on the ground or the sofa, you can make a pointer by gluing a cat toy that makes sounds or a bell to a long stick. When they follow the pointer then you can click and give them a treat. That way, it may be easier to clicker train if you are alone. Just use the pointer in one hand, have the clicker taped to the stick as well so you can still click, and have the treats/pellets in the other hand. And you don’t have to sit by them, which as you said, makes them excited. Hopes this helps! Good luck!
- 08/10/2017 at 3:15 PM
  Royal
  Participant
  57 posts
  Instead of sitting down on the ground or the sofa, you can make a pointer by gluing a cat toy that makes sounds or a bell to a long stick. When they follow the pointer then you can click and give them a treat. That way, it may be easier to clicker train if you are alone. Just use the pointer in one hand, have the clicker taped to the stick as well so you can still click, and have the treats/pellets in the other hand. And you don’t have to sit by them, which as you said, makes them excited. Hopes this helps! Good luck!
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