Puppy Training: All About Clicker Training Your Dog

By Elayne Taylor

A common form of positive reinforcement, clicker training is a simple and effective dog training method. The clicker is a metal strip inside a small plastic box that makes a distinct clicking sound once pressed. The click is more distinct and much faster than saying "good dog", and is more effective than using treats alone. To teach your dog the meaning of the click, a treat is immediately after the clicking. When the dog learns the positive effects of the clicking method, the clicker itself will act as a conditioned reinforcer.

Dog Training: How to Train with a Clicker

Here is how you can easily train your dog to respond to the clicker before you move on to basic and advanced training. The following steps are usually referred to as "loading the clicker."

1. Start with your dog in a quiet area.
2. Have a handful of your dog's favorite treats. Ideally, you need to do this training when your dog is hungry.
3. Press the clicker and immediately give your dog a treat. Repeat this 5 to 10 times.
4. Test the success by clicking when your dog is not paying attention to you. if your dog responds to the click by immediately looking at you and looks for a treat, then you can now move on.
5. Start dog training with the basic commands. At the exact time that your dog performs the desired action, press the clicker. Follow this up with a treat and praise.

Dog Training: The Benefits of Using a Clicker

One of the best things about the clicker in dog training is its accuracy. It is like taking a photo of the exact behavior you are rewarding. The dog associates his action with the click and then with the reward. Aside from having a better understanding of what he is doing, this will also make him more likely to repeat the action when he is asked to in the future.

Clicker training can also be effective for advanced dog training. You just click for small steps towards the behavior and work the dog towards the final and completed behavior. This will allow you to be completely hands-off. You do not have to manipulate the dog into position which can usually slow the process.

Overall, the clicker is a very important tool in the dog training process. When making a training and obedience program for your dog, consider using the clicker and see how well this method works for you and your dog.

Elayne Taylor provides tips in Puppy Training. For more relevant information, visit our website at www.DogTrainingPros.net

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