Curious About Clicker Training? Dog Trainers Explain the Basics
Many professional dog trainers in the Portland, Oregon, area and elsewhere in the country are partial to clicker training. The technique, which relies on positive reinforcement, is safe, humane and effective – plus, training with a clicker is fun for everyone involved.
Can you get results with clicker training? Dog trainers say that it’s not for everyone, but giving the technique a try is worth the time and effort. Read on to learn the basics of using a clicker to train a dog.
What is Clicker Training?
First of all, for those who are unfamiliar, a clicker is a small handheld device that makes a distinct “click” sound when pressed. The tool isn’t magical, but dog trainers know that it can be quite helpful in dog training.
Clicker training is also referred to as mark and reward training, as that’s what the process involves – the clicker is used to mark the exact moment a dog does what is asked, and the sound is immediately followed by a reward. The technique is based on the science of how canines learn, and according to dog trainers, using a clicker correctly can have a significant effect on behavior.
Why Does Clicker Training Work?
Dogs tend to repeat behaviors that are rewarded, and that’s a part of clicker training. However, as experienced professional dog trainers, we know that the real reason the technique works is because the click tells a dog exactly what they did correctly. There’s no confusion about why the reward is being offered.
But, you’re likely wondering why the clicker is necessary – couldn’t you just use words to let your furry friend know when they perform a desirable behavior?
Yes, but professional dog trainers state that using a clicker is often better. People talk all of the time, and to our tail-waggers, much of what we say is meaningless. The click sound is unique, used only in training situations, and dogs quickly come to associate the noise with a reward. This connection helps them learn new behaviors more quickly, and focusing on positive reinforcement makes training sessions fun.
How to Clicker Train Your Dog
Clicker training isn’t all that difficult – you simply need good timing. Here’s the approach professional dog trainers use to shape canine behavior:
Loading the Clicker
In order for a clicker to be an effective training tool, you’ll first need to teach your dog what the click means – this is what professional dog trainers call “loading the clicker,” and here’s how to get the job done:
Plan to work with your pooch at mealtime.
Choose a quiet, distraction-free area for your training session.
Have a sizeable stash of tasty bite-sized food treats in easy reach.
Press the clicker, wait a heartbeat, then give your dog a treat.
Once they’re done chewing, click again and offer another treat.
Repeat the process 10 to 15 times in a row for a few days.
Once your dog starts to associate the click with the treat, you’ll be ready to put the clicker into practice.
Using the Clicker
Before you begin the training session, you need to decide what you’d like your dog to learn. Let’s use the command “go to bed” as an example – here are the steps professional dog trainers say to take:
Start by clicking and rewarding your furry friend each time they look over at their bed – even if the glance is brief.
After realizing that the bed is the key to getting a tasty bite, your dog may take a step towards it. When that happens, click and give a treat.
Click and offer rewards every time they make progress toward the final goal, like sniffing the bed, putting a paw on it, standing on it and so on.
As you move along and offer treats for continued progress, you’ll want to stop clicking and rewarding your dog for what they did previously – in other words, don’t click and give a treat for just sniffing the bed if your pooch is already comfortable stepping on it. And, after they master a new behavior, dog trainers say that you can phase out the clicker and the rewards.
Tips for Success With Clicker Training
For clicker training to be effective, you need to have good timing – the click has to happen at the exact moment your dog does what you want. Professional dog trainers say that practicing your timing before you work on training is a good idea. Here are a few ways to practice:
Bounce a tennis ball and click each time it hits the ground.
Put on a TV show and click whenever a certain word is said.
Recruit a friend and click when they perform a particular action.
It should go without saying, but practicing should be done without your tail-wagger present. But while practice helps make perfect, dog trainers also suggest following these tips:
Keep clicker training sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Give a reward with every click – even if you accidently press the clicker.
Be patient, and if your pooch isn’t responding well, try again later.
End every session on a positive note, with treats and loads of praise.
As we mentioned above, clicker training isn’t right for everyone. Some dogs need a different approach – and if you’re having a hard time teaching your pooch, the professional team at Blackwood Canine is here to help. Our professional dog trainers have been working with Portland pet parents for over a decade, and we train tail-waggers of all ages, breeds and temperaments.
For more information on clicker training, or to schedule a consultation with a friendly and knowledgeable dog trainer serving the Portland, Oregon, area, contact Blackwood Canine today.
