An introduction to Clicker Training for Dogs

Clicker Training for Dogs

What is a ‘clicker’?

A clicker is simply a small plastic box, containing a metal
plate which, when pressed, makes a ‘click’ sound.

What is clicker training?

Clicker Training is a method of ‘positive reinforcement
training’ – that is, rewarding the behaviours that we like
instead of punishing behaviours that we don’t like. When the dog
does what we want him to do, we ‘click’ and give him a treat.

So, we train the dog to understand that the ‘click’ means “well
done” and that a treat is coming.

Benefits of Clicker Training

The benefit of the clicker is that it makes a consistent sound
and we can make the sound at the very moment that the dog is
carrying out the behaviour that we like. The dog will learn to
associate the good behaviour with the ‘click’ and the
forthcoming treat, and will learn to repeat the behaviour.

Of course, we can be positive just by saying “good dog” however,
there are some potential problems with this. We will inevitably
use a different tone depending on what mood we are in, so it is
not a consistent sound; dogs are very sensitive to body language
and tone so will receive mixed signals depending on your mood!

The other main problem is timing – by the time we have said
“good dog”, the dog may have stopped the positive behaviour and
started doing something else. Dogs do not have the power to
determine which one of the behaviours is the good one, so again
they receive a mixed signal.

Where do you start with Clicker Training?

The most important thing you need is your clicker! The next
thing you’ll need are some treats. You will need small, easy to
eat, tasty treats – something that will really make his mouth
water! They must be quick to eat because this is a dynamic, fast
way to train, so you don’t want him spending ages crunching
through huge biscuits! Cheese, cut up into small pieces is
irresistible to most dogs, or cooked sausages cut up. The treats
need to be easily accessible – either in a loose pocket or a bag
carried around your waist perhaps.

Now, start somewhere with minimal distractions. Our first aim is
show the dog the meaning of the clicker. Stand in front of him,
click ONCE and give a treat. At this point, the dog doesn’t have
to do anything for his treat – he just needs to learn the
association of the ‘click’ and treat routine. Spend some time
doing a ‘click’, then treat. Generally give 1 treat but very
occasionally, ‘jackpot’ with a handful of treats. Being
unpredictable is a good trick to use with dogs – he’ll
eventually work harder because although he knows he’ll get a
treat anyway, it’ll be in the back of his mind that he might
just get 5 treats if he does something extra special!

He will very quickly learn that a ‘click’ means that a treat it
coming – you will see the recognition in his behaviour. His ears
will prick at the ‘click’ sound, he may get excited, his
behaviour will show when he expects a treat following the
‘click’.

The Top 3 Clicker Training Rules

1. ALWAYS treat after a click – even if you’ve accidentally
clicked. The dog must have absolute faith in the ‘click means
treat’ routine. Do not let the kids have the clicker to play
with as a toy – even if they’re in a different room to the dog,
he WILL hear it and will be tormented if his treats don’t
follow. The clicker is the dog’s toy and no-one else’s!!

2. Only click ONCE. Don’t get excited when he does wonderful
things and ‘click, click, click, click’ – this takes the
consistency out of the ‘click’ and treat routine. One click is
perfectly sufficient!!

3. Keep training sessions short and sweet, preferably around
five minutes. They should be fun for both of you; fun for him
because he’s getting lots of treats and is using his brain, and
fun for you because it is far easier to train him than you ever
imagined – but keep it fun by keeping it short!

When he is responding to the ‘click’ and visibly waiting for
his treat, you are ready to move on to the next section on
teaching basic clicker training commands.