Each person feels that they have the easiest and most effective method on how to train a dog with a clicker. Almost every dog owner is anxious to share their advice and expertise, when they find out that you have a new puppy. It is very similar to what parents go through with the birth of their first child; every person they know has to give their two cents about how to get through the perils of parenthood.
For dog training, the use of the clicker has become increasingly popular in recent years. Essentially, a clicker does just that — it’s a small box-like device that emits a click sound when pressed, and it allows you to show pride and appreciation for your dog whenever they exhibit excellent behavior or restraint. The real element of using a clicker for dog training is teaching your dog what the sound actually represents.
Obviously, the first step is to buy a clicker. A book describing the clicker training procedure, available in most pet shops, will also be quite useful. Begin slowly by initiating the process with a simple command like “sit”. Issue the command to “sit” and attempt to get your dog to sit on his hind legs. You should give your dog a little treat, and press the clicker box, as soon as he has followed the command. Do this every time the dog is given a treat – click. In short time, the dog will associate being rewarded for their excellent behavior with the click.
Recently, there have been many dogs that participate in competitions that are using clicker training. The next time a competition is aired on television, watch as the dogs perform the various obstacles; if you look to the side, you will probably see their trainer with a clicker box in hand. This can be quite an effective training method, if you consistently utilize the “command, treat, click” technique.
The use of a clicker to train your dog puts you front and center as the person distributing both rewards and discipline while also making the dog aware of how much you appreciate it when they demonstrate good behavior. This method helps you to develop a closer relationship between you and your dog.
Remember to keep in mind that dogs react better to positive reinforcement, rather than negative punishment; every time they are on their best behavior, be sure to reward them with a click to reinforce the preferred behavior.
Roger writes numerous articles on dog life preserver uses and about finding a new dog life jacket online.
Leave a comment