Dog Clicker Training

What is dog clicker training?

dog clicker training bookA clicker is a small inexpensive hand held device, which when you press it with your thumb, makes a clicking noise. Dog clicker training pairs up the sound of the click to mean that the dog has done well and to expect praise, a treat or some sort of reward. The clicker is a form of positive reinforcement, it is seen as something good by the dog and involves no hurting or physical punishment.

Clicker training was originally used for training dolphins. Dolphins came to realise that when they heard the click it meant that they had done the thing the trainer was looking for and it could expect a reward. Of course this was incredibly useful because the dolphin was a distance away it would be difficult to mark the exact moment they had performed what the trainer wanted. The same principle can be applied to dog clicker training.

Why is the clicker better than using your voice?

When you use the clicker to mark a good/required behaviour it is immediate and sounds exactly the same every time. When you use your voice it is much more difficult to time it just right and your voice may not sound exactly the same each time. For example if you say “good boy” it takes longer than a click and your tone may be different each time which becomes more confusing for your dog.

How to start your dog clicker training

You really need a quiet place with no distractions to start introducing your dog to clicker training. Have some treats ready and once you have your dogs attention click, then give your dog a treat. Repeat the process until your dog is expecting the treat after you click which means that the dog has now associates the clicker as something good. You can then start with asking for a sit and if the dog sits straightaway click and then follow this with a treat.

Click here for a complete guide to clicker training

Different ways of using the clicker

The clicker can be used for many things for teaching general dog obedience, dog tricks and is especially useful for dealing with dog aggression.

Clicker training for obedience

When you are trying to teach your dog basic commands such as sit or lie down, dog clicker training can be an ideal thing to try. For example, to teach the down (lie down) using the clicker to put your dog into a sit position and crouch or kneel in front of him or her. Hold a treat in front of your dogs nose and move it downwards and slightly forwards (i.e. towards his paws). Your dog should follow the treat and move naturally into the lying down position. As soon as he lies down click the clicker and give him the treat and praise him. This may take a bit of practice but when your dog understand what you want from him and performs the “down” easily start saying the word “down” so that eventually he understand what you want without needing the clicker or treat every time.

Dog clicker training tricks

You can use clicker training to teach your dog tricks this can be done by free shaping (catching the dog performing a behavior) or using a lure (treat or toy).

Dog clicker training to help with dog aggression

The clicker can be a useful tool for helping with dog aggression. For example, you can teach your dog to “look at me”. This can help divert your dogs attention to look at you instead of whatever he may be focusing on. The clicker can also be used to help deal with dog leash aggression by marking the good behavior rather than punishing the bad.

Click here for a complete guide to clicker training

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