Doggy Mentor

Clicker training is one of the best ways to train your dog and teach good dog behavior. Communication is the key element in obtaining a well trained dog. Your dog will learn more quickly if you give precise, consistent and accurate communication.This is where dog clicker training shows excellent results.

Clickers are used to communicate with your dog, quickly and precisely, indicating that they did exactly what you wanted and at the exact moment they did it. Your dog will associate the click with a reward for doing the right thing.

Clickers come in many shapes and sizes. A clicker is an inexpensive toy and very easy to use. Most clickers are small matchbox-sized plastic boxes.

How Does Clicker Training Work

The Canis Clickertraining Academy explains how it works really well in their program. Initially, a clicker has no value to a dog, so you have to make it mean something. The reward to associate with the clicker can be a valued piece of food, such as chicken liver treats, or cheese and when you make the clicking sound your dog will soon learn it is going to get a treat for good behavior.

There are a couple of ‘primary reinforcements’ and food is the one dogs respond to readily. Physical affection, playtime and water are other primary reinforcements. When you have repeatedly clicked and offered your dog a reward, it has learnt to respond to the click and now associates food and the clicker.

This process is called classical conditioning and the clicker now becomes known as a “secondary reinforcement”. The click sound and food, have actually become the ‘primary reinforcement’ in your dog’s mind.

When your dog has made the association between the clicker and the food, you can begin to use the clicking sound for training. This method of training is called operant conditioning.

Whenever you want to say ‘good dog’ after your dog has done something good, use the clicker instead of talking. An example is to click the moment your dog sits and your dog will learn that when he sits he gets the click and a reward.

When your dog repeats this behavior, say the word ’sit’ and click when it does, reinforcing to your dog it gets a treat when it does what you want. The click, good behavior and a reward, becomes your dog’s understanding of your needs.

For some reason people remember to click and do not always remember to verbally praise. Throughout the day, you may say ‘good dog’ several times and the sound of these words often have less value to your dog than the click and a reward.

Clicker training is well worth trying, and you will find a clicker training review will most certainly give it a good rating. When your dog is responding to the clicker, you can use more praise than the treat used as the reward.

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