Dog Clicker Training for Your Puppy or Dog
Clicker Training is a training method that is not only used for dogs, but other animals as well. In fact, it was first used to train dolphins in captivity to allow the trainer to communicate with the dolphin as it was under water. Since this time, clicker training became the norm for training dolphins, fish, dogs, and other types of pets. Dog clicker training is now a great way to train young puppies, as well as older dogs.
A clicker is a simple metal gadget that creates a click sound that does not waver in volume or pitch. It is a quick single sound that animals are not afraid of and can respond to quickly. This type of training is one of the most humane ways to train a dog. It does not hurt the body of the dog or injure the dogs ears. Dog clicker training is used to associate the sound of the clicker with the desired behavior the trainer or owner seeks.
When the dog obeys the trainer, the sound of the click rewards the dog and sometimes a small treat is given simultaneously. Without the click, a treat alone can confuse the dog as it sometimes is not given quickly enough. The dog and especially a puppy can move around and wiggle a lot and thus the dog will not know what it is being rewarded for. Pared with the click, the dog associates the good behavior immediately to the click and not just a treat.
The owner, or trainer will want to start with allowing the dog to get used to hearing the click and immediately receiving a small treat. Soon, the owner will want to allow the dog to do a small task, one that the dog already is doing or has already learned. An example of this is if the dog is on a walk, and the dog urinates outside as opposed to inside. Immediately after the dog uses the outside for its waste, the clicker is used and the dog receives a treat. This reinforces this behavior in a positive way.
Similarly, if the dog jumps up on the couch or people he would be held back from the clicker sound and the treat. If the dog calms down and waits to see what the trainer is going to do, he would be given a quick click as the calmness is rewarded with the click and treat.
Once the dog learns to wait for the positive reinforcement of the clicker, he will learn at a quicker rate than just with voice commands or treats. Dog clicker training, voice commands with body language can all be used together to help the dog learn at a faster rate.
Dog clicker training can teach good habits and deter bad habits. It is the owner’s responsibility to raise a dog in a positive environment making happy dogs and happy owners and neighbors.
Related posts:
- Dog Clicker Training for Your Puppy or Dog
- Training Your Dog with Dog Clicker Training
- Dog Clicker Training Reinforces Positive Behavior
- Training Your Dog with Dog Clicker Training
- Dog Training: Precluding Bad Behaviors and Promoting Good Ones
Filed under: Dogs
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