Dog Health Questions: Clicker training tips please?

I'm trying to train my dogs to walk with me while off leash. For one it's not a problem but for the other I can't say the same. So for him I want to incorporate the clicker in the training. Can anyone please give me some pointers on how to start this? If it matters one is an American Pit Bull Terrier(who walks with me off leash) and the other is a Maltese,Yorkie, Poodle mix(who obviously is the one who doesn't). Also I'm doing this because the park around me allows them to be off leash at a specific time and this is the time that I rollerblade or bike with them. They seem to enjoy it more off leash, but the Yorkie gets distracted very easily. Getting him back is no issue all I do whistle to him and he comes right back. I want him to learn to stay with us ONLY while off leash. FYI: I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT THE PIT BULL SHOULD BE ON LEASH AT ALL TIMES BECAUSE OF AGGRESSION ISSUES. IF THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO CONTRIBUTE THEN PLEASE BY ALL MEANS KEEP IT TO YOURSELF, BETTER YET DON'T GIVE YOU'RE 0.02. He's not aggressive AT ALL and is in fact in therapy dog training. All I'm simply asking for is pointers in including the clicker in training.

Is Your Dog Training You?

Recommended Answer:
Start out small with lesser distractions. Inside your home, in your back yard. A friends home, backyard, then the park.

Reinforce like crazy. Use a high value item like real meat or cheese. Mark the behavior of following along. Every couple feet, mark it and reward, mark and reward. You want to stretch the time between rewards out.

Whats distracting him? People? Other dogs? just caught a scent?

OP clearly stated she's taking them to an area that allows off leash dogs.

It doesn't seem that he's so focused on the other objects that he won't listen. What I would do is try to reinforce the behavior of staying with you as much as possible. Keep your eyes open, if you see something that usually catches his attention get his attention on you BEFORE he reacts. You may want to teach "look at me!". Use the clicker to mark the behavior of him making and holding eye contact. I know a lot of people that use this method for their dogs that are dog aggressive. look at me keeps their attention on you and not their trigger, or in your case the interesting things.

Also if he does move off to check something out, just call him back and reward like crazy when he returns. He'll eventually realize it's more rewarding for him to stick with you.

Using a Dog Training Harness to Train Your Dog

• Well, you're on a public forum kid, so you don't get to pick the choose the answers you get.
  
  Dogs should not be off leash in a public area. It's dangerous. ESPECIALLY a Pit Bull. I don't care of it is an "off leash park" that's fenced in. Pit Bulls DO NOT belong in dog parks or off leash situations.


• Good on you! make sure you have an unlimited supply of small doggy treats. (little bits of cooked liver will help keep the attention). don't let them go to far. click and treat. they will learn the sound of that click. so don't forget to take it with you.


• Another owner who thinks their dog will be the exception to the rule...
  
  Please read:
  http://www.pitbull-chat.com/showthread.p…
  
  http://www.pitbull-chat.com/showthread.p…


• ALL DOGS SHOULD BE ON LEASH AT ALL TIMES, not just PB;s. It is only common courtesy and being responsible....And in most places, the law...If the dog ran on the road and caused an accident you would be responsible for any damages, not to mention a possible dead dog ...