Clicker Training 101

Clicker training is a great tool for training.  All you need are three things; a dog, a clicker and treats.  Then start having  fun!

First you have to teach your critter that the click means that he will get a treat.  Begin by holding small treats in one hand or on a table very close by.  You can use your dog's kibble (it helps to keep your dog hungry, so I would start before you feed him his dinner or breakfast).  Click the clicker once (and only once) and give a treat.  Keep the treats small, you don't want him to get too full too quickly.  Your dog will soon learn that the click is a promise of a treat.  Don't break your promise.  Continue clicking and treating until you notice that he is looking at the clicker or you instead of the treat.  He will look as if he is saying "Get with it and click that think would ya so I can have a treat!"

Another way to do the same thing is to have your clicker and treats ready and every time your dog does something you like you will click and treat it.  You are not going to ask for anything, you simply click the action you like and reward it.  Example:  your dog is sitting quietly beside you, click and treat (C/T), your dog lays down by your feet, C/T,  your dog is looking at you, C/T.  Click and treat that special cute thing he does that makes you laugh!  Continue C/T every time your dog repeats the action you want.  You will start to see your dog offering you behaviors for the click and treat.  That is when you know he understands what this game means.  Be careful what you click...because you will get it.  If you are clicking while is is jumping up on you...you got it!  The clicker timing is the most critical part of the learning process.  You can be slow about the treat...but the click should always be timed at the exact moment your dog gives you the action you want.

Remember to keep teaching sessions short.  Dogs seem to do best with sessions only 3-5 minutes long.  If your dog loses interest or wanders off, be patient.  Wait and come back to it later.  Be sure to keep him hungry as well, often I use my dog's entire daily meal for training throughout the day.

Once your dog has the clicker language understood you can start using the clicker for having fun games that teach your dog new tricks.