How to Train Your Dog to Respond to a Clicker
Jump to section
Introduction
Have you found your pooch is hard to train? And, do they rarely respond to voice commands? Then clicker training could prove a helpful tool for training your pet.
Clicker training has many benefits. For example, clickers provide more clarity than voice commands. As a click is much quicker than a voice command, it explains to your four-legged friend exactly when they've done the right thing. So, it's crystal clear what behavior your pooch is receiving the reward for, helping them learn commands quicker.
Clickers build a much better relationship between pet parent and pup, as both of you will better understand what you want from each other.
Top
Defining Tasks
As well as providing clarity, clicker training allows more repetition of your pooch's behavior without them losing motivation.
As clicker training is reward-based, sessions should last no longer than 10-15 minutes. Longer sessions mean too many treats, resulting in your pup losing interest in this training method.
Clicker training is relatively simple. However, tricks take time to master, so at least two weeks of sessions are necessary.
It's best to begin clicker training with a basic trick such as 'sit'. This trick is suitable for both adult dogs and puppies, although the earlier you start, the better.
Top
Getting Started
First things first, to clicker train your pooch, you'll need a clicker. Clickers can be purchased from any pet store or online. You'll also need treats and toys to reward your pup.
As with all training methods, you'll want a quiet and familiar location to clicker train your dog. Dogs get very easily distracted by other sounds, sights, and smells, so, a distraction-free zone is necessary. Now let's teach you how to train your pup to get used to that clicker.
Top
The Different Clicks Method
Effective
0 Votes
Effective
0 Votes
Test the clicker out
You can usually produce different toned clicks on most clickers, faster and slower clicks for example.
Click and treat
For any good behavior, ensure you give a click followed by a treat.
Timing is crucial
The click needs to be given at the exact moment your pooch gets it right, not too early or late.
Click quick
A quicker, louder click can show special enthusiasm. However never increase the number of clicks, only the number of treats.
Short but sweet
Try to keep sessions to 10 minutes or so. If you make it too long the clicker will become boring and your pooch will lose interest.
The Clicker Tricks Method
Effective
0 Votes
Effective
0 Votes
Treat, treat and treat
Every time you use the clicker when teaching your pooch a trick, always click and then treat when he gets it right. They’ll need to associate the clicker with some form of reward. If not, why should they pay the clicker any attention?
Don't always keep the treats in plain sight
Your dog needs to know that responding to you is how they earn their treats. Hide some treats away and mix it up, getting the treat out when they’ve got the behavior right, clicking beforehand.
Click for correct behavior only
Don’t use the clicker for anything other than recognizing correct behavior. If you use it to get your pooch's attention, it will confuse them.
Start easy
To begin clicker training, start with easy tricks such as ‘sit’ and ‘paw’ so that your dog knows the basics of getting the behavior right equals a click and a reward. Complicated tricks could confuse your pooch and the use of the clicker at the beginning.
Teach a variety of tricks with the clicker
The clicker should be used in combination with voice commands and eventually when your dog understands the command, you should be able to remove the clicker and use voice commands only. However, if this is going to happen, you’ll need to teach him a variety of tricks, so he understands the pattern of getting something right means a click and a reward.
The Getting Used to It Method
Effective
0 Votes
Effective
0 Votes
Practice alone
Have a play around with the clicker and make sure you get the hang of it, before starting to use it around your pooch. Remember the click needs to be quick and at the exact time your pooch does what you want him to.
Practice with your pooch
Introduce the clicker to your dog; you’ll need to teach them what it means. Every time you click and your dog turns to you, give them a treat. You’ll need to have the treat in your hand for different amounts of time before you click and treat, so that they don't know when it’s coming.
Does he like the clicker?
Some dogs will be scared of the clicker. If this is the case, try and purchase one that’s a little gentler sounding or wrap the clicker in something to soften the sound.
Choose somewhere distraction-free
Choose a nice, quiet, distraction-free location, so that your dog will be fine tuned to the sound of the clicker.
Click at good behaviors
Watch your pooch. When they do a good behavior naturally, be sure to click and give them a treat.
Teach new behaviors with commands
At each step of the new behavior you want to teach your pooch, click and treat. This will give your dog constant positive reinforcement. When they get used to the trick, add in a verbal cue as well as the clicker. After they're confident with the trick, a verbal cue should be enough.
Written by Catherine Lee-Smith
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 11/10/2017, edited: 08/22/2024
More articles by Catherine Lee-Smith
