Dogs repeat behaviors that get them what they want. If you give your dog a treat for giving you a paw , for example, your dog will be more likely to give you a paw in the future. But where do clickers and markers fit in?
You may have heard of clicker training, also called mark and reward training. Is it an unnecessary gimmick? Quite the opposite. A clicker or marker is a tool that can make positive reinforcement training more efficient. After being repeatedly associated with a treat or reward, a clicker becomes a conditioned reinforcer.
Learn how clicker training can help you better and more effectively communicate with your dog during training sessions. Clicker training is the same as positive reinforcement training, with the added benefit of a clicker. A clicker is simply a small mechanical noisemaker. The techniques are based on the science of animal learning, which says that behaviors that are rewarded are more likely to be repeated in the future. So rather than focusing on what your dog is doing wrong, and taking good behavior for granted, clicker training flips the script and concentrates on what your dog is doing right.
By telling your dog what to do, instead of what not to do, you can have an incredible effect on how your dog chooses to behave. So rather than having to guess what you liked, the click tells your dog precisely what they did correctly. The clicker is merely a way to mark a moment. There is nothing magical about that specific noise, except that you likely never make it around your dog outside of training.
For example, you could snap your fingers, blow a whistle, or cluck your tongue. The click simply indicates a reward is on the way. Although edible treats are the best incentive for most dogs, a reward is anything your dog values. So if your pup would rather work for a game of tug-of-war than a chunk of chicken, play that instead. If you need to interrupt an unwanted behavior, give your dog a specific cue instead — call him to you, or ask him to sit or lie down. Then you can reward him for listening, and redirect him to some other activity.
Product links provided are Amazon affiliate links, but you can also find clickers and training books from other online pet retailers like Dogwise and Clean Run, or at brick-and-mortar shops if you prefer. Happy training! They may be too noisy for sound sensitive dogs. I use them sometimes when working outside, when the louder click can be useful. Button clickers example: PetSafe Clik-R Trainer — These generally look more like a plastic oval or tear-drop, with a raised button to press.
I tend to prefer this style, especially for working in quiet indoor areas. The click is much softer, so less likely to startle your dog, and the button is a bit more user-friendly than the metal tab in most box clickers. Getting Started: Clicker Training for Dogs , by Karen Pryor — This is a great beginner book on clicker training, by the queen of clicker training herself! Karen Pryor was largely responsible for introducing clicker training to the dog world in the s, and remains one of the most prominent public voices in the field.
She explains things for beginners in a way that is both scientifically sound and easy to understand. Very handy for visual learners! On the web, you may also want to check out www. This site has a wealth of information and articles on specific topics related to clicker training, including detailed advice on training specific behaviors using the clicker.
Also lots of good info on clicker training with other species — cats, horses, etc. Outstanding blog! Perfect length as an introduction.
Covers the many reasons to use a clicker. So often these types of blogs end up only preaching to the choir and defeats its intended purpose—to educate. Wonderful resource provided. With permission and authorship provided, this would be an excellent pre-class email handout or marketing tool by clicker dog trainers. Or what? So, first things first. What IS a clicker, anyway? Well… As with so many things in dog training, it depends.
Consider the following examples: Training a retrieve, or doing distance work Normally, when we want to train a new behavior, we do this by giving the dog a treat or other reward at the specific moment he does what we want. So what to do? Improving clarity and precision In some cases, it may not be as easy as you think to praise and reward for the behavior you want. Using a clicker, you can do it easily.
If you click, you must give a treat. Teach your dog basic commands using the clicker. At the exact moment your dog performs the desired action, press the clicker. Follow with a treat and praise. If you don't click at the right time, your dog will be confused and unsure of what action garnered the treat. One of the best things about the clicker is accuracy. The dog associates its action with the click and, subsequently, the reward.
Not only does the dog better understand what it is doing, but this also makes your pup more likely to repeat the action when asked in the future. Clicker training can also be very effective for advanced training. You don't need to manipulate the dog into position, which can often slow the process.
When creating an obedience and training program for your dog, consider using the clicker and see for yourself how well the method works. A common mistake when using the clicker for dog training is to forget the praise. While your dog has been trained to respond to the clicker, it is also following the actions to receive praise from you. Don't ignore a dog's need for praise, love, and affection from its owner. Since clicker training is reward-based, if your dog has a low food-drive or isn't driven by rewards or treats , this type of training likely won't be effective.
Also, if you are using clicker training for more advanced movements or exercises, you need very precise hand-eye coordination and complete attention to click the clicker at the exact time you need. If you aren't able to do this, you will confuse your dog and lead to poor training.
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