Clicker Training - the dog's preferred dog training method

The secret of successful clicker training is in the timing. Anyone can learn to do it, and make it work quickly. Because it is a hands-off training method there is no stress for handler or dog. Many of us are brought up in a culture of punishment and blame, and we carry this over into our relationship with our dogs.

But just "think toddler". You don't continually tell off a baby for her bungled attempts to pick things up, put food in her mouth, crawl, or walk. You encourage and reward every little move she makes.

This is how clicker training works: by encouraging every little move which takes you nearer the behavior you want, you get there little by little. And the whole process is very enjoyable for both dog and handler.

You remember those little clicky toys - sometimes called crickets - where depressing the metal tongue with your thumb causes a click-clack guaranteed to infuriate any grown-up, given time? The click sound tells your dog - emotionlessly and precisely - that he has done the right thing.

First of all you teach your dog what clicker training means - and what it means is food! Every time you click the clicker, it acts as a marker that a treat is on its way.

For some advice on what to use as treats for clicker training, see Puppy Training or visit this site where Clicker Training all started. They have discovered the perfect treats for clicker training: small, easy to carry, clean, not slimy ... and yet the dog finds them delicious and will work for them!

Here's how it works ...

Now you can start with, let's say the sit. First have a look at Teaching your Dog to Sit to see the method. Now, following that method, you can simply click your clicker and be ready to give your dog a treat whenever he makes any move in the right direction.

So to begin with, a partial sit - just a bending of the back legs - will merit a treat. After a few more goes the bum may brush the ground - more click-and-treats. At some stage the penny will drop and the pup will realise that he is being rewarded for his action.

It's important that you use no commands at this stage. The beauty of clicker training is that it avoids all the nagging, poking and prodding, and shouting "SIT SIT SIT SIT!" You needn't maintain a stony silence though. Encouraging noises and questions ("Do you want a treat?" or "What are you going to do for this?" for instance) will keep your dog's interest while he puzzles out what he's meant to do.

And when he's responding reasonably quickly to your hand gesture, you can add your command. Always say the dog's name first, so that you have his attention before you ask him to do anything. So "Fido, sit!" you say, moving your hand as in the early training - now you have a hand signal as well, which can be abbreviated over time to a small movement of just one finger!

Once you have the action you want, and your dog will do it whenever you ask, you can put him on a variable schedule of reinforcement - that is to say, sometimes he gets a treat and sometimes he doesn't. You can choose only the very smartest and best sits, thereby upping the standard.

Clicker training works by reinforcing the behavior you want and, where possible, totally ignoring the behavior you don't want. The dog obliges because he wants to - remember that radio station WIIFM in Training your Dog? And the clicker serves as an instant but emotion-free marker that he has done the right thing.

You can imagine how it's not going to be long before your pup sits as still as a statue whenever he sees the clicker!

Can you see how this system could be useful in getting the behavior you want from your children, your spouse, your workmates - as well as your dog? Though I think for human trainees you would need to call it "Encouragement Training" and not "Clicker Training"! To get the background and philosophy behind this hands-off method of training, you will do best to read this book by the person who formulated this method of Training which gives much food for thought, with loads of case studies and analysis.

For more practical application and for step-by-step training for dogs, see this book by a well-respected trainer who knows just how to get the results you want.

Incidentally, clicker training is the method I use to get rapid housetraining in a new pup And if you're both beginners, then here is an excellent Starter Kit with everything you need, including your first clicker! Just click here if you'll excuse the pun.

Advanced Clicker Training

How handy to have someone to shut the door behind you, bring you your car-keys, carry your bag, pick up anything you've dropped ... I taught all these tasks to my Border Collie Jake (that's him on the Home page). Some of them took as little as twenty minutes to teach several years ago, and he does them now without reward - simply for the fun of it!

There are various training aids you can use to make clicker training easier. One is the target stick. Your dog learns to follow the stick closely with his nose, allowing you to get him to stand, lie down, take a bow, spin, and so on.

A natty bag on a belt will carry all your treats and your clicker, and there's a great choice of clickers. Serious trainers can get a smashing fleece vest with eleven pockets! These can all be found here, on the definitive Clicker Training website along with news, articles, training videos and training programs.

Attention UK readers: this is the site for you - the home of UK Clicker Training -

Learning About Dogs

And when you are getting good results with your clicker training, you'll really enjoy this informative book - Click for Joy! won this year's coveted Maxwell Award from the Dog Writers Association of America for best book on dog behavior and training.

It explains in question-and-answer format how to create a positive relationship with your dog using the power of clicker training - this powerful, all-positive behavioral system.

Clicker Training for Quick Results

Here's how it works ...

Advanced Clicker Training

Clicker Training
for Quick Results