Dog Clicker Training for Your Puppy or Dog
Dog Clicker Training, or training a dog with the use of a small clicker, was originally created by a dolphin trainer so that the dolphin could hear the sound while under the water. Since then, many other animal trainers adopted this method and clicker training has been used to train dogs, puppies, fish, elephants and other animals. Dog clicker training is used to teach older dogs as well as young puppies.
The clicker is usually a small metal tool that is held between the thumb and the pointer finger and is squeezed to produce a quick clicking sound. It is good because of it's consistent sound in volume and pitch. It delivers the sound to the dog quickly and does not injure the dog's ears. The sound of the clicker is used to associate the good behavior and reward the dog with the click.
The idea of using a tool such as a clicker is to reward the dog or puppy with the quick sound of a click and a small treat when the dog obeys it's trainer. Many times in training a dog receiving a treat alone is not as successful. The reason for this is that once the dog has achieved it's goal, it quickly moves on to another activity and while the owner rewards the pet with a small treat the dog has already moved on to another activity. This proves to be confusing to the dog and training the dog takes longer and can frustrate both the dog and the owner. If the clicker is used to train the dog, the behavior is associated with the click immediately, and the dog associates the good behavior with the click, and not the delayed response of 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.
Added to the click, body language and the sound of a command is also used to train dogs in clicker training. All of these methods paired together can bring about a strong sense of command and the puppy can 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.
The clicker is usually a small metal tool that is held between the thumb and the pointer finger and is squeezed to produce a quick clicking sound. It is good because of it's consistent sound in volume and pitch. It delivers the sound to the dog quickly and does not injure the dog's ears. The sound of the clicker is used to associate the good behavior and reward the dog with the click.
The idea of using a tool such as a clicker is to reward the dog or puppy with the quick sound of a click and a small treat when the dog obeys it's trainer. Many times in training a dog receiving a treat alone is not as successful. The reason for this is that once the dog has achieved it's goal, it quickly moves on to another activity and while the owner rewards the pet with a small treat the dog has already moved on to another activity. This proves to be confusing to the dog and training the dog takes longer and can frustrate both the dog and the owner. If the clicker is used to train the dog, the behavior is associated with the click immediately, and the dog associates the good behavior with the click, and not the delayed response of 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.
Added to the click, body language and the sound of a command is also used to train dogs in clicker training. All of these methods paired together can bring about a strong sense of command and the puppy can 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.
About the Author:
Learn more about puppy training. Stop by by Judy Steven's site where you can find out all about dog clicker training and what it can do for you.
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