What Is Clicker Dog Training?

The latest dog-training craze is clicker dog training. A clicker is a small rectangular plastic device. It derives its name from the metal button that makes a clicking sound when pushed. It can be used in dog training. However, it's the dog that decides whether or not it suits him. I have heard of many success stories with clickers, but my dog refused to have anything to do with it!

According to dog training experts, the clicker encourages enforced training, without punishment. Just as children's behavior is reinforced every time they do something good and get rewarded for it, so do dog respond in like manner.

In basic dog training, dogs learn through consequences. If they do something and it earns them a treat and praise, they are going to want to do it again because they like the consequence. When they do something that their owners don't like and get ignored or hear a firm "no" in a strict voice, they know that they won't get any treats and soon learn not to do that again.

Clicker dog training, on the other hand, reinforces good behaviour. If your dog sits, click and give him a treat. The next time he sits, do the same but don't say anything to him. He will soon realise that when he sits he will get a treat and hear a click. Then, when you eventually click before he sits, he knows to sit. It's not at all confusing.

Clicker dog training does not use punishment at all! Researchers believe that, although punishment does stop some bad behaviours, it may also create other unwanted behaviour.

The clicker is a conditioned reinforcer, as per Pavlov's salivating dog experiments. The moment you click, you indicate to your dog the exact moment he did something you liked really well, and to do that again.

In contrast, punishment is almost always carried out after the dog has done something wrong. The dog will tend to regard punishment as a random consequence, making the punishment of no consequence.

Clicker dog training is not only used for dogs! It is widely used for other animals such as dolphins and horses. It is a widely practiced training method and does produce results, if your dog takes to it and if carried out properly.
I have heard of many success stories with clickers, but my dog refused to have anything to do with it!

According to dog training experts, the clicker encourages enforced training, without punishment. Just as children's behavior is reinforced every time they do something good and get rewarded for it, so do dog respond in like manner.

In basic dog training, dogs learn through consequences. If they do something and it earns them a treat and praise, they are going to want to do it again because they like the consequence. When they do something that their owners don't like and get ignored or hear a firm "no" in a strict voice, they know that they won't get any treats and soon learn not to do that again.

Clicker dog training, on the other hand, reinforces good behaviour. If your dog sits, click and give him a treat. The next time he sits, do the same but don't say anything to him. He will soon realise that when he sits he will get a treat and hear a click. Then, when you eventually click before he sits, he knows to sit. It's not at all confusing.

Clicker dog training does not use punishment at all! Researchers believe that, although punishment does stop some bad behaviours, it may also create other unwanted behaviour.

The clicker is a conditioned reinforcer, as per Pavlov's salivating dog experiments. The moment you click, you indicate to your dog the exact moment he did something you liked really well, and to do that again.

In contrast, punishment is almost always carried out after the dog has done something wrong. The dog will tend to regard punishment as a random consequence, making the punishment of no consequence.

Clicker dog training is not only used for dogs! It is widely used for other animals such as dolphins and horses. It is a widely practiced training method and does produce results, if your dog takes to it and if carried out properly.