Nowadays training your dog can feel like such a chore and frankly, very overwhelming. With a simple clicker tool, training at home can become achievable and even fun! Using positive reinforcement-based training methods such as clicker training will make you and your dog feel successful and create a wonderful bond! These 5 easy steps will get you and your pup going in the right direction to master clicker training.
1. Get the Right Tools
To start, you are going to want to acquire the clicker tool. Most local or chain pet stores sell them as well as different breeders, trainers, veterinary offices, and shelters. You can just purchase one online for anywhere between an average of about $1 to $5. The clicker is a handheld training tool with a small button that conveys a signature double “click” sound.
Stock up on small, high-value treats, but prioritize low-calorie treats as not to cause obesity in your dog. Once you have obtained those items, you are ready to begin! A large benefit of this method is how few tools and expenses are needed to get started.
2. Associate the Click (Mark and Reward)
Now, the bulk of the work in the clicker training method is making the “click” mean something to your dog instead of just being white noise. At first, slowly begin by introducing the sound and simply dropping a treat on the floor. You want to associate the noise with the constant reward, so your dog knows that when they hear that sound, yummy treats follow!
Avoid saying anything or rewarding specific behaviors quite yet by continually resetting your dog as you do this. It is best to be conscious about what your dog is doing while you are introducing them to the clicker, solely because you do not want to accidentally reward them for behaviors that are not desirable. Once you click the tool and notice your dog giving a reaction and anticipating the reward, your dog has associated the click!
3. Take Baby Steps
Try your hardest not to look for the “big picture” right away. It can be so difficult not to rush but remember that you cannot walk until you crawl! Every little milestone should be celebrated and rewarded. For example, if you are teaching your dog to stay, start small, with just having them stay while you take one step back, and slowly increase your distance each time.
Imagine trying to learn something completely new from someone who speaks a language you do not speak, and how long it would take to make any progress. But then imagine how wonderful it would feel to have even the smallest success. Always let your dog know they are headed in the right direction by rewarding every little inch of the way, as they get closer to the end goal.
End every session on a positive note, even if it is performing a command your dog already knows well. You want them to feel empowered and associate clicker training with fun, joyful activities, all the while boosting their confidence.
4. Repeat and Reward
Always stay consistent. It is so important to remember to reward after every click to keep your dog engaged. Practice makes perfect, so continue to practice your command over and over, even if it is yielding the same response for some time.
Your dog does not know any commands or hand signals until they can successfully associate them with the action you desire and the best way to help them achieve that is to continuously remind them. Be very mindful not to mix scolding with reward. If your dog is not performing the action you would like, the way you like them, you should withhold any clicking and simply reset them to start over. The clicker is strictly positive reinforcement.
5. Phase Out
The last step is going to happen quite some time after you begin training and is completely optional. Some owners and trainers keep their dogs clicker-trained indefinitely, while others choose to reassociate the praise with a keyword, such as “yes!”.
When phasing the clicker out, slowly begin to click, state your keyword, then reward. You want to continue to integrate this keyword in for all the commands consistently until slowly removing the click every other reward. Eventually, you will be able to state your keyword in the absence of the clicker with the same positive association in your dog’s eyes.
