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Clicker Training
by: David Marshall, California
A dog training method called clicker training has become popular over the last several years.
Clicker training consist of positive reinforcement training – that is, rewarding the behaviours that we like instead of punishing behaviours that we don’t like. When the dog does what we want him to do, we ‘click’ and give him a treat. So, we train the dog to understand that the ‘click’ means “well done” and that a treat is coming.
The reward can be food such as roast beef, petting, playing with a tennis ball, or anything else your dog may enjoy. If you want to use a food reward, you must make sure that you use small pieces of food because you do not want your dog to be preoccupied with eating and forget about the clicker training.
Dog Training with a clicker can be more effective rather than positive words such "good dog" because dog are very perceptive to body language and tone of voice so will receive mixed signals depending on what mood you are.
3 Ways to train your using the clicker:
1. Start somewhere with minimal distractions. The first idea is show the dog the meaning of the clicker. Stand in front of him, click ONCE and give a treat. At this point, the dog doesn’t have to do anything for his treat – he just needs to learn the association of the ‘click’ and treat routine. Spend some time doing a ‘click’, then treat. Generally give 1 treat. ALWAYS treat after a click – even if you’ve accidentally clicked. The dog must have absolute faith in the ‘click means treat’ routine.
2. Only click ONCE. Don’t get excited when he does wonderful things and click, click, click, click – this takes the consistency out of the ‘click’ and treat routine.
3. Keep training sessions short around five minutes. Studies shown that establishing reliable behaviors with clicker training requires significantly less time than with standard dog training.
Clicker Training is the only method of dog training can be safely and effectively using positive reinforcement instead the punishment of behaviors. At this point, clicker training is not a universally practiced dog training method but more trainers are using clicker training to teach basic obedience and other classes.
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