What Clicker Training Is
Clicker Training is a positive method of training a dog new behaviours. This means there is no correction for the dog getting anything wrong just reward for when it gets the new behaviour right. Unlike some other dog training clicker training does not rely on baiting where the dog is simply bribed into performing a certain behaviour. The problem with baiting is that its a very dependent on the owner and takes a lot time to become an independent behaviour without many cues. As well as allowing you to teach your dog an independent behaviour 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.
A clicker is usually made of plastic and it has a thin metal plate inside it which when pressed via a button, it makes a “clicking” sound.
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 behaviour its performing when the clicker goes off means that is the correct position/behaviour. When a dog is use to clicker training and is clear when its doing the correct behaviour new behaviours 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 behaviour this way the message that is right is crystal clear. As your dogs understanding increases the rate of reinforcement can be decreased and your dog should be holding the correct behaviour longer. Timing is extremely important in any dog training you must use the clicker the millisecond your dog performs the correct behaviour. Clicker training is all about timing the quicker you click and reward the faster the dog will learn the new behaviour. 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 itís the best way to learn about clicker training and training dogs in general. Thereís 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.
And as always, love your dog.
