Dog Obedience Training - Why Use A Clicker In Your Dog's Training

Clicker training is a non-coercive method of dog obedience training & is based on the dog's behavioural psychology; it relies on the 'marking' of good behaviour & rewarding this. The clicker itself is a small oblong shaped mechanical device, it will sit in the palm of your hand nicely so is ideal for outdoor work too during dog obedience training. It makes a short, sharp & unique 'click' sound, the idea is that as soon as your dog behaves & does what is asked you click & then reward.

As with all the dog obedience training that you do timing is paramount, the 'click' has to arrive the split second the dog performs the task requested of him/her. So if you were teaching your dog to 'sit' literally the instance the dog's behind touches the floor you 'click' & then reward. Through repetition your dog soon learns that good behaviour is followed by a 'click' sound & this is followed up by a tasty treat, dogs are very routine animals & creatures of habit so they pick training regimes up very quickly.

The clicker is a very clear way to communicate with your dog there is no mistaking the sound, so there is no misinterpretation from your dog. You can mark an exact behaviour that you wish to praise with one simple 'click'; some trainers/handlers refer to this type of dog obedience training as 'event marker' training. The trainers/handlers that use clicker training are different to normal trainers/handlers in that when they carry out dog obedience training they wait until the dog understands the behaviour before using a command or a cue to request that the dog perform the desired task.

When the dog has received several 'clicks' & appears to comprehend the behaviour the trainer/handler will introduce a cue. They will begin to say the cue before the dog carries out the behaviour, after repeating this a few times the clicker is used. When the trainer/handler gives the cue & the behaviour follows then the clicker is 'clicked' & the dog rewarded. Eventually the dog will begin to look out for the cue & then know that the behaviour follows this.

To begin with dog obedience training with a clicker can seem to be slightly daunting to a novice, there appears to be so much to carry out. The clicker itself at the precise moment required then rewarding the dog with a treat. You almost need more hands when your clicker training your dog.

The big advantage with this method of dog obedience training is that you can train any age dog with a clicker & generally most dogs will comprehend it. From your puppy to an older adult dog, because the clicker method is based on noise association I would say tat the only dogs that would not benefit from this type of dog obedience training are deaf dogs. Their method of training is completely different again as it has to be very visual.

Clicker training is a safe, kind & fun way to carry out your dog obedience training with no shouting & no smacking, just several little harmless "clicks."

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