Clicker training is an easy and effective training technique that work on dog-iron of all ages , include pup . Want to rail your dog-iron in a few simple steps ? Here ’s how you could teach your detent to control basic cues using a clicker and kickshaw .

Clicker grooming dogs is a big technique that incorporates sounds and rewards that will have both you and your pup stimulate to begin each session . Worried about whether clicker breeding will exercise on your ducky ? Jen Nastanski , CPDT - KA , a conduct specialiser at theASPCA Animal Recovery Center & Canine Annex for Recovery and Enrichmentoffers in force strategy for you and your dog .

Nastanski notes thatclicker trainingcreates an efficient language between a human trainer and an fauna . She goes on to explain that , in her experience , " once the animal understands that click are always followed by delicacy , the click becomes as powerful a reward to the animal as money is to the great unwashed . " Of course , not all fauna reply the same way to clicker training , but it can be an effective method acting for many dogs .

clicker training with a Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog

Photo: Agency Animal Picture / Getty

What Is a Clicker, and How Does Clicker Training Dogs Work?

A " clicker " is a small plastic box seat design to be held in the medallion of your script , with a diminished metal tongue that you press to make a clicking sound . If you ’ve watched animal training videos online , chance are you ’ve see clickers in use .

Clicker training all comes down to that efficient spoken language Nastanski cite , and a littlepositive support . First , a trainer teaches the dog that every time he hears the clicking auditory sensation , he grow a treat . Once the pawl realise a clickgets him a treat , the trainer use the mouse click to identify the exact here and now when the dog performs the right behavior . " For illustration , " Nastanski says , " if a flight simulator want to teach a firedog to seat , she ’ll sink in the instant his rump hits the floor , and then render a tasty treat . With repetition , the hot dog instruct that sitting earns rewards . "

Pros and Cons of Clicker Training

Clicker training is view highly efficacious : Once dogs learn that a clink is always follow by a treat , they can be passably eagerto do whatever it takes to pull in treat , again and again . But like any training method , clicker education come with its benefits and challenge .

One of the benefits of clicker training is that it ’s a quick way to teach your frankfurter the staple . The positive , wages - based atmosphere in clicker training promotes exploration and your dog ’s curiosity to memorise new tricks and , according to Nastanski , dogs typically begin to understand the clicker within one or two training Roger Sessions . Although clicker grooming can feel repetitive , dogs can remain paying attention through it and come to understand what ’s have a bun in the oven of them .

Of course , there are some challenges to clicker training , such as being ask to carry the clicker at all times and your frankfurter ’s unrestrained feedback to high - value treats . If your dog jumps , barks , or mouths at your hands out of excitement , " finding a different way to deliver the rewards can help make training more comfy , " Nastanski allege . Instead of feeding your pup a goody from your hand , you may chuck out it on the ground .

Timing is very important with clicker education — and if you have challenge time your mouse click with your dog ’s behavior , you might accidentally honour the wrong deportment . But Nastanski channelise out dogs are often very forgiving of human wrongdoing during clicker grooming , especially when there are rewards involved . If you dawn a little too former or too late , but align so that you pay back your dog at the right moment the next time .

If your hotdog is a second timid and runs away from the clicker noise , you’re able to soften the loudness by keep it in your pocket or wrapping a towel around your hand . or else , you may use the clicker training method acting with any alone and logical auditory sensation — some flight simulator use a sing sound or simply the word " yes ! "

What Age Should You Start Clicker Training?

Clicker breeding can be started at any geezerhood . " While it ’s reliable that adult and senior Canis familiaris may have more established personalities , these dogs are absolutely capable of learning , " Nastanski says . Consistent and regular education sessions are essential for train dogs and dogs of all eld understand campaign - and - effect pretty well .

How to Introduce the Clicker to Your Dog

introduce a dog to the clicker is pretty square . merely choose a simple behavior you jazz your dog will do aright — sit on pool stick , or coming over when you call in a well-chosen vocalization — and give the signal for that behavior ( so say " Sit " or " add up here , my darling dog ! " ) . As shortly as your dog does the deportment , click the clicker . suspension for about a half second , then reach for a nearby treat and hand it to your dog .

note of hand : That half - 2nd pause is really important , and you should always pause for a brief moment after clicking before treating .

duplicate this process two or three times , and your Canis familiaris will almost sure enough start to realize that every suction stop is followed by a delicacy . you’re able to then practice the clicker toteach new conduct , including somefun cad magic trick .

Pro Tip : If your weenie does n’t acknowledge how to respond to anycuesyet , choose an body process you know your frump will be likely to do . For object lesson , you’re able to dangle your mitt near your dog ’s nose , and when she goes in for a snuff , click , then pause half a second , and then get and eat a kickshaw . Repeat this a few sentence , and you ’re jump to clicker trainhand targeting !

Tips for Successful Clicker Training

Clicker training is atried - and - honest methodfor learn your dog different ways to earn treats . And , after you ’ve practiced a young conduct in several different shoes with reliable solution , you could even cut back on the clicking and the kickshaw rewards . Eventually , you will be able to use anything your pet truly loves , such as dinner , run outdoors , or toys , as a reward for good behaviour !