Clicker training for dogs is a training method which allows you to teach your pet both basic and advanced commands. Best of all, it’s a positive form of operant conditioning, meaning your pup will enjoy learning. Below, learn the clicker training basics and get started today!
Clicker Training for Dogs: Does It Work?
1. What Is Operant Conditioning?
Operant conditioning is a learning process which helps change behavior through the use of reinforcements provoked by a response. In other words, you reward the behaviors you like while you punish the behaviors you do not.
2. What Is Clicker Training for Dogs?
Clicker training for dogs is a form of positive reinforcement and a common training method for pet owners. With this method, dog owners use a metal dog clicker to train their pet to obey commands and behave in a certain way.
To help your dog understand what the click means, simply provide it with a treat immediately after the click. After a number of tries, depending on the circumstances, the dog should finally be able to associate positive behavior with a reward and a click.
3. How Early Can You Start Clicker Training?
You can start clicker training for dogs at any age, whether a puppy or an adult. However, it’s best to start as early as possible to keep your puppy from any bad habits.
4. Who Can Participate in Clicker Training?
Anyone in the family can participate in clicker training for dogs. Unlike other training methods involving punishments or leash corrections, for clicker training, you simply need your furry friend’s favorite treats. This punishment-free methodology makes it safe for kids to join in on the fun. With minimal supervision and effort, you should be able to teach your child when to click and give a reward.
5. How Can You Start Clicker Training Your Dog?
Start by putting your dog in a quiet area with their favorite treats ready. Press the clicker and immediately give your dog a treat. Do this around five to 10 times. Test your success by clicking at a time when your dog’s attention is elsewhere. When your dog looks at you in hopes of a treat, it means you have succeeded.
Proceed to teach your dog basic commands such as “sit” or “stay.” The moment your furry friend obeys your command, press the clicker and follow it with a treat. Ideally, this training method should eliminate the need to say a praise, but you can also say it simultaneously with the treat.
6. Is Clicker Training Accurate?
Clicker training for dogs is accurate. After all, you actually get to train for your desired behavior. By repeatedly practicing, your dog will eventually associate the click with their actions and, consequently, their reward. This positive reinforcement makes it likely that your pup will repeat the positive behavior or obey your command in the future.
7. What are the Benefits of Clicker Training for Dogs?
Clicker training benefits both owner and dog. Not only does it strengthen the bond between yourself and your dog, but it also helps keep your dog’s natural destructive behaviors like chewing and digging at bay.
Kristin Crestejo, CDBC trains her dog to kiss with a clicker and treats:
Especially when untrained, some dogs can get unruly and cause unnecessary stress to dog owners. With clicker training, you?can put a stop to this. Condition your furry friend to obey your commands and behave properly with a simple clicker and some treats!
Which command do you intend to teach your dog first? Let us know in the comments below.
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