Can I Clicker Train My Dog?

Raising a Great Friend the Family Dog

The joys of having a dog can be a great family experience. This includes the training of the family dog. Clicker training can help the whole family learn to train their dog in a positive way. Young children grasp the concept of clicker training very quickly. Clicker training does not require strength or physical prowess. Anyone any age can clicker train a dog.

A clicker trained dog will work for anyone who has a clicker. He learns to trust the clicker. A family environment is very hectic. Everything is always in a changing mode. The unexpected is the rule. Training of the family dog is often inconsistent.  Different phrases may be used  for a specific action or a persons vocal tone may be different. A clicker makes requests, from any family member, the same.

Your dog wants to obey. The clicker is a consistent sound that the dog always understands. A click means "Job well done, here is your treat."  Anyone, of just about any age, can click the clicker. With a clicker you work at creating conditions where success is possible and you build your relationship with your dog on that success. You ignore mistakes that occur while learning using the clicker and focus on positive results.

Building a Family Bond – Clicker Training Your Dog

All too often the family dog is reprimanded because he has broken a family rule. Your dog received mixed signals. You were projecting one signal and your children may have been displaying another signal. Your dog was confused. You punish your dog. Again, your dog is confused. He is wondering what he did that was wrong. Your dog in his confused state may become anxious, irritable and possibly aggressive. Punishing a dog for a negative action is not conducive to creating or enhancing the bond between your dog and the members of your family.

In a  household with a clicker trained dog confusion over the desired actions does not occur. If a clicker trained dog does something that is negative he is encouraged to do a proper action by using the signal or verbal command accompanied by the clicker. The clicker eliminates any confusion on the part of your dog. Irritability as well as  anxious and aggressive moments are eliminated.

Clicker Training – Consistent Understood Message

Training occurs every moment of every day. You are always in the act of training your dog. Using a clicker communicates to your dog a clear message and as time goes by that clarity creates a bond of understanding. Though not fully understood by behaviorists clear and respectful communication develops within a dog the ability to reason effectively, leading to proper decision making in unexpected situations.

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Determining the Right Reinforcers for Clicker Training

With dogs the potential reinforcers are food treats, praise, attention and toys. Whatever makes your dog happy will help reinforce the behavior your want. Food treats usually are the best reinforcer to teach new lessons. Identify favorite food treats by offering a variety in a bowl. Watch to see which treats are eaten first. Once you have identified the favorite treats reserve those for training periods.

Using the Clicker to Train 

When training your dog the click and the treat should be given nearly simultaneously. You are working to build an association between the click sound and the treat. When your dog does an action that you want repeated click the clicker at the exact moment the action occurs. Again, the click sound and the treat must be given simultaneously. You will find that your dog begins to try to repeat behaviors that earned a click and treat. As soon as this happens the clicker training game has begun.

Adding a Signal or Cue in Clicker Training

Once a behavior is being repeated consistently for the clicker and treat a cue signal can be added. A cue can be a hand signal or a verbal word or statement that is specific for that action. When your dog is repeating a certain action that is in response to the clicker sound add the cue. The cue you use must be the same every time. Your dog will associate the action and the cue together.

You do not want your dog performing an act expecting the clicker to sound and receiving a reward that has not been requested. If your dog performs without the signal,do not give the click and accompanying treat. Your dog will learn that performing the action without first receiving the cue is futile. From this point on you only give a click and treat when the cue has been given prior to the desired action.