Clicker Training

The clicker is a small plastic box with a metal tongue it produces a consistent click noise which is used to tell your dog well done. Clicker training is secondary or conditioned reinforcement method of training and tells your dog that primary reinforcement is on the way. Primary reinforcement is anything which motivates your dog and reinforces correct behaviour e.g. food, praise or toys.

Every dog is different and levels of reinforcement must be thought about. Some dogs will respond well to dog biscuits, for example a hungry Labrador and some require cheese or chicken to motivate them.
When carrying out training away from the house you will always need to increase the value of reward as the distractions are much higher. Classing rewards as 1, 2 and 3. 1 would be low value for example their food, fed every day in the same bowl. 2 would be something you give your dog as a treat e.g. smackos, bonios chocolate drops, you would usually ask you dog to sit or come to you in a low distraction area. 3 is very high value like cheese, sausage, chicken or liver, this is something that you dog does not receive at home and so can be used as an excellent training tool away from the house in the field or at training class.

Clicker Introduction

First of all you must practise good timing with the clicker before you try it out on your dog! Once you are confidant then prepare by having treats, a clicker and your dog nearby. Introducing the clicker can take varying amounts of time and you must be patient. Start by holding your hand out with a treat placed between two fingers to get your dog's interest, as your dog goes towards it or touches it you should click and treat. Once your dog is positively doing a task you can start to put a cue word to this e.g. 'touch'. The clicker is a teaching tool for both new tasks and shaping existing behaviour and is weaned out; it is the cue word and primary reinforcement that stay.

Rules Of The Clicker:

• Never click next to your dog's ears/head.

• Only click once for each behaviour.

• Don't lie with the clicker; always treat after you have clicked.

• The time between clicking and giving a treat can and should be increased.

• Do not use the clicker to gain your dogs attention.

• Remember the clicker is a teaching tool and should be weaned out; the cue word and reward are long term.

• Always take a break after 10 minutes of clicker training, all dogs will be able to concentrate for different lengths of time and the training is very stimulating.

• Your dog should be allowed to move away and think about things, do not pressure them to stay on the spot.

• It is a good idea to use a start and finish word to let the dog know when learning sessions begin and end.

• Once the task has been learnt then you can start to ask for 2 or 3 repetitions before clicking