Clicker puppy training

Clicker puppy training

No matter what breed your dog is, clicker dog training is one of the most successful and remarkable methods to control and dictate a dog's behavior while teaching them essential commands. All you need to do is have patience and insist on mastering clicker training so that your dog will be able to complete almost any command.

How Clicker Training Works

The secret that lies behind a successful clicker training is that you basically train your dog to listen and perform commands at the sound of a clicker. This sharp sound can be heard from a distance of over 20 yards and it’s a signal for your dog to comply with a specific command. Basically, after successfully completing a task the dog is rewarded with the clicker sound. The first thing you need to do when starting your clicker puppy training is to make you tail-wagging friend understand that the clicker is a source of rewards. So make sure to have available some tasty dog treats you can buy from any pet store and a clicker. Usually clickers are cheap, so your budget will not exceed 2 dollars. It is essential to define clear commands your dog must perform at the sound of the clicker and to associate their execution with the treat. The dog will act as you command expecting the reward: a tasty treat and a good word from his master like “good job boy!”.

How Clicker Dog Training is Done

In order to make your dog respond to the sound made by the clicker the first step to follow is to get a specific behavior like: rolling over, sitting, barking or anything else you want your dog to respond to. When your dog successfully completes the trick you wanted then make sure to reward him with a clicker sound and a treat. You will see that after 2 or 3 exercises the dog will be already responsive to a clicker sound and perform the tricks you wish him to learn and by this way you basically achieve the behavior planned. Immediate response and immediate reward make clicker puppy training a simple method to train your dog, while a verbal command usually needs more time to be successfully understood by your dog. Once you have achieved this behavior from your dog, exercise it several times and gradually reduce treats and replace them with good words and petting.

Transitioning to a Verbal Command

One of the most important steps in clicker dog training method is to replace clicker sound with the master’s voice. When the dog has learned that clicker sound is the signal to perform a task, you may wish to replace the sound of the clicker with your own voice so that you have control over your dog in any situation and without always carrying a clicker with you. Basically firstly you need to make your dog associate three things: the sound of the clicker, your voice and then the reward. For example for the sitting command already learned you first make the clicker sound, then just order “sit!” and only after give the reward. Repeat several times and your dog will respect your commands without making the clicker sound even without a treat, just because he will get petted or praised and for the dog this means the master is pleased.

Clicker puppy training can be used for any breed and it is an easy way to create and reinforce almost any behavior.