A Clicker Trainer Is a Quicker Trainer

I am always looking for better training methods in my work with dogs. Not only do I look for the fastest way but also the easiest way for the dog to understand what I want. If you put yourself in the position of the dog you will see that pushing, pulling and even talking, praising and petting can actually make it confusing and more difficult for them to learn. It certainly makes it harder for the dog to differentiate exactly what the cue is to perform a particular action.

The truth is that your dog is often trying so hard to figure out what you want it gets confused if you're not clear and concise with your training. What your dog really needs when you train is consistency and for you to do the same thing twice. That's why clicker training is the most effective training method.

For the uninitiated, the clicker is just a small handheld noisemaker, which has a metal strip that makes a distinct "click" when pressed and released. The trainer clicks at the exact moment the dog has properly performed the behavior we're teaching. Since the clicker is a unique sound to the dog it presents a fabulous learning moment and speeds us to that "ah-ha" moment, that "light bulb goes off moment" where the trainer and dog are in such synchronicity and rhythm that you can actually see the dog "get it".

For this all to come together, the dog needs to know that the sound of the click signifies that they did something right, that we like what they did, and that a reward is coming. You should notice after several repetitions of a click and treat that the dog responds to the sound of the clicker by looking at you. Many people inadvertently think this is because we are clicking to get the dog's attention. But if you've properly introduced the clicker what's really happening is that the dog is looking at you after the moment of the sound because it's made an association that the click has not only identified the proper action or behavior but more importantly, that the rewards of praise and a treat will follow.

Let's begin our training with teaching our dog to sit on command. The first step is to get the dog to actually sit and let it know that it did what we wanted. With most dogs, it will be easy to lure them to sit by guiding a treat slightly above their head. Also, we aren't going to give a verbal command, just get them to sit. If it doesn't sit, move the treat a little up or down or forward or behind their head. Remember that the click is going to mark the right response from the dog so the instant their butt hits the ground you should click, praise and give them a treat. If you want to teach the dog to stay seated you can click and treat again before the dog gets up.

The second step is to get the dog to perform reliably when we want them to and this is why it's extremely important to incorporate praise into the process. We certainly don't want our dogs to mind us only when there is food. So my first rule in training with food is that we always praise our dog right before we give the treat. The key thing to remember at this stage is click/praise/treat in that order...every time. My second rule is to make the food rewards intermittent and to use them every second or third time. This is often referred to as fading the treats or fading the lure.

For now, we are going to give a treat every time. Figure on a rate of about 10-15 treats a minute for beginning training to keep the dog's interest. As the dog learns you can reduce the amount of treats but we never actually stop giving rewards entirely. Just as we like being recognized for a 'job well done,' so does your dog.

The third and final step is to put the behavior on cue or on command. At this point, we can start using a "sit" command because we are sure we can get the dog to perform reliably every time we give the hand signal. If you've done everything right so far you have already taught the dog a hand signal for sit when you raised your hand above the dog's head. The proper time to give a command is right before we get the desired behavior from the dog, so in this case right before we lift our hand is the right time to say "sit". Of course we still click/praise/treat when the dog sits on our command as well.

Working with a clicker is the best method for simply, quickly and effectively training almost any dog. It takes a little more work and coordination initially, but in the long run it's faster and easier for both you and your dog. Even if your dog already knows some commands or has prior training, using a clicker will still serve to speed up and perfect its responses in addition to helping eliminate any past training mistakes or confusion. It's also fun and a great way to bond with your dog that wants nothing more than to interact in a positive way with you. You're in this together and with proper clicker training, you'll both reap the rewards for many years to come.