Most dog owners have heard of clicker training but have no clue what
it actually is, in this article I will discuss what clicker training is,
how to start using it as well as just how powerful clicker training can
be. Most dogs take to clicker training very easily and enjoy learning
through the use of a clicker.
What Clicker Training Is
What Clicker Training Is
Clicker Training is a positive method of training a dog new
behaviors. This means there is no correction for the dog getting
anything wrong just reward for when it gets the new behavior right.
Unlike some other dog training clicker training does not rely on baiting
where the dog is simply bribed into performing a certain behavior. The
problem with baiting is that its a very dependent on the owner and takes
a lot time to become an independent behavior without many cues. As well
as allowing you to teach your dog an independent behavior much quicker
than with baiting or other conventional dog training it also allows your
dog to learn at a fast rate because its being given much clearer
instruction.
How Clicker Training Works
The principle behind clicker training is that the click noise given
off by the clicker means correct. So the soon learns that the exact
position its in or behavior its performing when the clicker goes off
means that’s the correct position/behavior. When a dog is use to clicker
training and is clear when its doing the correct behavior new behaviors
are formed very quickly.
The main things to consider when clicker training are rate of
reinforcement, timing and motivation. Rate of reinforcement is all about
how often your reward and how much of a reward you give. When first
starting you should reward often and always remember quickly. You need
to reward as soon as the dog has performed the correct behavior this way
the message that’s right is crystal clear. As your dogs understanding
increases the rate of reinforcement can be decreased and your dog should
be holding the correct behavior longer. Timing is extremely important
in any dog training you must use the clicker the millisecond your dog
performs the correct behavior. Clicker training is all about timing the
quicker you click and reward the faster the dog will learn the new
behavior. The next major thing to consider is motivation without
motivation you have nothing a dog must love to work. Unmotivated dogs
have no go about them and they simply do not want to work. If a dog does
not want to work then you have a serious problem its one hundred
percent the training responsibility to make the dog love working. There
are many ways to motivate a dog these include treats, toys, fuss and
just play in general. Always keep your training short and fun ten to
fifteen minutes at a time is perfect any more than this and the dog will
get fed up. Remember that you should always finish training when your
dog is keen and enjoying the training, never finish when your dog is
bored and unmotivated as this produces nothing except a dog who does not
enjoy working.
How To Get Started Clicker Training
To get started clicker training all you need is a clicker, a reward
and a willing dog. If you have these three things then you have
everything you need to start clicker training. Experiment and have fun
it’s the best way to learn about clicker training and training dogs in
general. There’s no substitute to a good working relationship with your
dog. When you have that great relationship you will find training so
much easier because you already know exactly how your dog is going to
react to everything you do.