Clicker Training – An Introduction to the Basics

This article covers the theory of clicker training and introducing your dog to this valuable training tool.

The process of clicker training was developed through the training of laboratory rats and then sea mammals using a whistle over 30 years ago. It has recently gained popularity with various trainers due to its effectiveness.

The clicker itself is usually a small plastic non-powered device just a couple of inches long. It has a button that when pushed emits a loud clicking noise. Clickers are also available with ‘volume’ control to allow you to use a tone/volume of click that is more noticeable to the particular dog being trained.

The purpose of the clicker is to allow you to mark the exact moment the dog has carried out an appropriate behavior. It is a much more precise way of saying ‘good boy’ or ‘good girl’. The dog learns that what it was doing at the time of the click, is the behavior that will gain a reward if repeated.

The precision of this training aid allows you to not only teach your dog simple commands, but create complex behaviors step by step as you can mark every small improvement the dog makes towards the behavior you are trying to teach. This method is called shaping.

When first introducing the clicker to the dog you will need to ensure the dog not only feels secure with the new sound but also associates the sound with the presence of a reward. This initial introduction to the clicker is often referred to as ‘charging’ the clicker.

The easiest way to do this is to sound the clicker and immediately offer the dog a food reward. The reward should be presented to the dog within no more than 2 seconds to keep association of the sound with the treat. The treats you use should be kept small to avoid filling the dog up and making him/her sick, as you will be repeating this process many times. Also fresh drinking water as always should be available to the dog at all times.

This process should be repeated over and over again, but only for a couple of minutes at a time. It is important not to overdo the time spent on each session to avoid the dog getting bored. Repeat the process several times throughout the day. It could take a couple of days for the dog to build a solid reliable association with the clicker and food.

Eventually, once the dog has started to look for the treat and come to expect it when it hears the sound of the clicker, you are ready to start using it for training.

Tagged with: Basics • Clicker • Introduction • Training

Filed under: Dog Clicker Training

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