In this piece we will discuss the method of clicker training and how it can help you train your dog faster and in a more reliable way.
A clicker is a device that makes a “click” sound every time you press its button. In training we use clickers to let the dog know that they did a good thing and that they are going to earn a reward. We refer to it as “marking a behavior.” The reason behind using the clicker is that it improves the handler’s timing and consistency. In short, pressing the clicker is faster than saying “good dog” allowing the dog to immediately associate cause (sitting) and effect (getting a treat). In addition, a clicker always makes the same sound.
How do we introduce a clicker to the training?
We will use a simple exercise called “ loading the clicker.” It is a simple conditioning exercise that doesn’t even involve training. Simply have a few treats in your hand and repeatedly click and give your dog a treat right away. Do it every day, twice a day, for two minutes in different parts of the house or outside, and your dog will have no problem associating clicks with treats.
At home you will use the clicker to mark good behaviors that we would like the dog to continue doing. For instance, if your dog comes to you and sits nicely – click and treat. If your dog lies down, come to you or any other desirable behavior, click and treat. You want to mark all these behaviors since this adds value to them. Your dog will soon try to figure out how to get you to click and give him treats, by repeating the rewarding behaviors.
Once we have a set of behaviors the dog regards as rewarding (the ones you marked and the dog got rewarded for) our next step will be to teach your dog the names of these behaviors.
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