Clicker training a dog, great method, terrible name. A better name would be "audible precision" training or something sexy and cool sounding like that. People often hear the word clicker and think it’s just a novelty or gimmick. I certainly did...at first.
I was getting a puppy in a month, and after the initial excitement wore off I was struck with the thought, "I don't know the first thing about how to train a dog". I immediately began reading and watching everything I could find that was related to training a puppy.
During my research I kept coming across clicker training for dogs, but would skip past it because it just seemed too much like a novelty. By the time I tried to see what it was all about I was already swept away by the popular TV shows talking about mystical energies, dominance theory, pack theory, and my dog somehow being a mind reader.
My puppy arrived and I put into practice the TV methods I was so keen to try out. After a week I could see that, sure, they did work, but I really didn't enjoy the relationship I was having with my dog. It was way too serious all the time and I felt more like he was my prisoner then my friend.
When I was getting a dog I had pictured happy walks in the park and him walking at my side when I needed him to. I knew there had to be something better out there, training a puppy is supposed to be fun. What was that about clicker training a dog again?
It only took about two minutes of reading to convince me that I had to at least try clicker training my dog. What struck me the most is that it is used on all types of animals; idolphins. cats, elephants, and even humans can be clicker trained. The second big selling point was that it involves zero punishment, I love that.
After reading a tutorial and watching a couple of free videos I went to the pet store and got a clicker. My puppy Snoop was only 10 weeks old at the time, but he responded to clicker training almost instantly. After a five-minute session I knew I could never go back to traditional methods. I didn't know it at the time, but I had just learned how to train a dog.
I went on reading and watching videos, most of which were pretty good. The light bulb really went off when I found a great teacher on YouTube and bought a couple of outstanding ebooks. Snoop was soon closing doors, turning the lights on and off, flying back to me on recall, and sticking to my leg like glue on command.
I started taking him out without his lead and doing little clicker training sessions with him on walks. On every walk people would comment on how well behaved he was, and ask how he got that way. I would try to explain clicker training, but I could often see the dismissive look on people's faces when I pulled my clicker out, or even just mentioned the word.
Most owners had either heard of clicker training but dismissed it like I had, or had no idea what it was at all.
So let’s clear things up a bit. Here are some of the main myths and truths about clicker training a dog.
8 Things you need to know about Clicker Training a Dog
1. A clicker doesn't have to be a clicker. You read that right. The most important thing is having something that makes a consistent sound that is distinct and not too unpleasant to the ears.
2. A click does two things: lets your dog know they are doing something good the moment of the click, and that a treat is coming
3. You do NOT need to have a clicker and food treats with you at all times.
4. Your clicker trained dog WILL do all of it tricks with or without treats and a clicker eventually.
5. Clicker training a dog is not time consuming at all. I recommend a 5-10 minute session once or twice a day, three times at the most. Doing a session while walking your dog makes it more fun for both of you.
6. The main reason Clicker training is better than traditional methods because it is precise. For example, traditional methods will sometimes have a trainer say "good boy/girl" to mark a desired behaviour. Well sometimes we say words with a slightly different tone and pitch, which might or might not translate to your dog. Then another person says "good boy/girl" in their voice, there is a huge chance your dog won't always know what is being said to him. A clicker sounds the same in anyone's hand.
7. Clicker training is all positive. No leash jerking, intimidation, pinning or pinching. None.
8. The reward doesn't always have to be food; it can be a toy, praise, or anything else your dog loves.
Clicker training a dog is really quite simple. Once you understand the basic concept and timing, you can teach your dog to do, or not do, literally anything he or she is physically capable of. Whether you are training a puppy or an old-timer this is the method use, paws down.
If you want to save time and start out with the best ebook on clicker training, Click Here! Other resources will give you the basics, but no book shows the overall concept better. Kind of a give a fish, teach to fish difference.
Best of luck to all of you on your training.
Happy clicking!
