Talking Tails - Clicker Training

Introduction to Clicker Training

What is a Clicker?

Eye Contact A clicker is the tool which communicates to the dog what behavior is desirable and marks the moment of success. Clicking sound does not mean anything to your dog in the beginning. However, if you always treat your dog after each click, your dog will come to associate the sound with the treat.
Now your dog is willing to do anything to hear the clicking sound. Your dog may fail first, so he/she would think even harder; "How can I make it click?" When the moment of success comes by accident, your dog hears the clicking sound and finally understands the desirable behaviour. This whole process of learning is called "Shaping" in clicker training.

Dogs are pack animals and look to their leaders for guidance. Your dog should be looking directly at you during a training session. Let's start clicker training by practicing eye contact.

Teaching your dog to make eye contact

Call your dog's name.
If your dog looks into your eyes, click and treat.
If your dog does not react to your call, put a treat in front of your dog's nose.
Move the treat slowly between your eyes, then call your dog's name again.
When your dog looks into your eyes, click and treat.
Your dog should naturally looks at you by following the treat.
Do that 2-3 times until he gets the idea.
Now hide the treat in your pocket.
Call your dog's name. If he/she looks into your eyes, click and treat.
Repeat this several times every day. Your dog will soon be ready for obedience training.

Teaching your dog to sit

Put a treat in front of your dog's nose.
Slowly move it over your dog's nose to its head.
Your dog follows the treat and move its head backwards.
When your dog's bottom hits the floor, click and treat.
Do that 2-3 times until he gets the idea.
Now give the "Sit" command and repeat the same excercise.

Teaching your dog to lie down

Put a treat in front of your dog's nose.
Slowly move it down to its feet.
Your dog's head follow the treat to floor.
Hold! Do not click yet.
This posture is not easy, so wait for your dog to lie down.
When your dog's belly hits the floor, click and treat
Do that 2-3 times until he gets the idea.
Now give the "Down" command and repeat the same excercise.

Now you have learned the very basic of clicker training.
If you are interested in teaching your dog more fun tricks, go to Applied Clicker Training.

Fanny pack is handy to carry treats!

References

Alexander, Melissa C. Click for Joy!: Questions and Answers from Clicker Trainers and Their Dogs. Sunshine Books, 2003
Pryor, Karen. Clicker Magic. Sunshine Books, 1997
Pryor, Karen. Don't Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training. Bantam, 1999
Tillman, Peggy. Clicking With Your Dog: Step-By-Step in Pictures. Sunshine Books, 2000

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