scared of clicker?

[bransel]

Hello, and thanks to those who replied to my last thread with their thoughts on clicker training.
Yesterday I tried the first step of pairing the click sound with her favorite treat (cheese cubes).
The problem is that she is terrified of the click noise! She knew I had the treats in one hand and wanted them badly, but when I clicked the clicker she cowers, ears go back and she slinks off into the other room without taking her treat. This is confusing because I've never seen her cower in any other situation, even when verbally reprimanded.
Has anyone else had this experience? She is a rescue and their is alot unknown about her past. Is it possible that she associates the clicker with punishment for some reason?
Is there such thing as clicker abuse??

P.S. I have enrolled Winnie in professional training lessons, however they don't start until December. In the meantime I am trying to teach her some basic obedience and manners.
The main thing I need help with is getting her to lie down. If anyone is sitting on my couch, she will lick and nuzzle and pester to no end. Pushing her away does not help. Ignoring her works for temporarily (she'll go lie in her bed), but as soon as you make a noise she's up again in your face wanting attention. Also, she follows me everywhere in the house that I go. If she's lying in her bed asleep and I get up to go to the bathroom, she's right behind me.
Don't get me wrong. I love my litte girl and I don't mind the neediness, but it's not good when she pesters housegeuests, people with nice clothes on, etc.

Any insite would be extremely helpful.

Thanks

 

[JulieM]

Some dogs are afraid of the clicker. Here are some articles on ways to muffle the sound or to desensitize the dog to the clicker:

http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/archives/loud.txt
http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/archives/desens.txt
http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/archives/muffle.txt

You could also try using a retractable ballpoint pen, or a jar lid with a pop-up button (baby food jar lids work well) - they are just as precise for marking behavior but make a softer sound.

Here's a lesson on training "Go to your mat" - which would be handy when company comes over

http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/archives/mat.txt

And, finally, these are Karen Pryor's 15 rules for getting stared with clicker training.

http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/archives/getstart.txt

I didn't reply to your other thread, but I also highly recommend clicker training - it is by far the best method I've come across. My dogs learn faster and have more fun doing it than with the old compulsion-based training. And I do find it helpful to work with a trainer, at least at first - in clicker training, timing is everything, and most training problems are really the human's, not the dog's. A trainer can help you pinpoint where the miscommuncation (if any!) lies between you and your dog.

And, don't be too bothered by her constantly following you around - that's the basis for a very solid recall