Clicker Dog Training Tips

Clicker dog training has become increasingly popular because it is based on positive reinforcement methods that are easy on both the dog and the trainer when properly done. It is an extremely effective canine training method that does not rely on yelling, hitting or leash jerking. In fact, it is important not to force your dog into any behaviors while training with the clicker. Here are few tips to keep in mind during your dog training sessions.

Remember to watch for what your dog is doing right. Unlike old fashioned canine training methods where the trainer "punishes the wrong behavior", clicker training "rewards the right" behavior. It is based on a solid scientific foundation of decades of animal behavior research which has found that animals learn better, and the learning is more reliable when they are less stressed.

In fact, it is important not to pair punishment with clicker training. Although animals will learn to perform behaviors when punished, what they are actually doing is learning to avoid pain. If you pair clicker training with aggressive old school methods, you will be teaching your dog to anticipate pain every time he hears the clicker. And in time, he will do everything in his power to avoid being around you. So remember to keep your focus on the positive.

Timing is important. The process begins with teaching your dog to associate the treat (reinforcing the positive) with the sound of the clicker. From there, you must watch for the behavior you want from the dog (for instance, to sit), then click at the exact moment that the dog sits, then add the treat. The sound of the clicker marks the behavior you want from the dog, and he then knows exactly what he did right in order to earn his reward.

Clicker dog training can be used for advanced behaviors and trick training, too. But even if all you want is a well behaved dog who will easily obey simple commands, canine clicker training is only part of the process.

So be sure to take the time as a trainer to educate yourself on the proper way to transition your dog away from the clicker. This involves precision timing again, so that your dog does not become confused when you introduce new cues. But when you take the time to do it correctly, you will be able to easily communicate with your dog using voice or hand signals.

My name is Kevin Highfill. Please visit my site at http://www.online4pets.com/ to discover more about clicker dog training.

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