All about puppy clicker training

Puppy clicker training is relatively new, but it`s quickly become very popular - and with good reason. It`s simple, fun and very effective.

This technique is based on the use of a small, hand-held `noise-maker` called a clicker, which makes a sharp `click` when you press a button, or a metal strip.

You can `clicker train` dogs of all ages.... and it works equally well to to teach simple manners, basic or advanced obedience, and even fancy dog tricks.

You can `shape` the behavior you want or curb unwanted behavior in a positive, reward-oriented way... and spend some `bonding` time with your pet at the same time.

This method was first used to train Dolphins, and it works with many different types of animals including birds and horses.

Clicker Basics

When it comes to clicker dog training, the most important thing to get right is the timing of the `click`.This is because the `click` is immediately followed by a reward/treatand is designed to let little Fido know that he`s done something thatmakes you happy!

At first, you will be `clicking and treating` for any desirablebehavior you see - such as when your puppy sits down, lays down quietly,comes to you when you call his name etc.

It`s important that you only `click` during the required behavior, not after it`s completed.

For example if you`re teaching the `sit` command, click and treatthe second your pup`s butt begins to touch the floor, not when he`s in acomplete sit.

This is because you want to make it clear to him that thebehavior he`s engaging in right now, is what you`re rewarding him for.Puppies learn by association and he needs to make the RIGHT associationfrom the very beginning.

Video: Puppy Clicker Training: Sit, down, and stand

As you get more experienced with this training technique,you`ll be able to use a vocal cue such as "sit" or "down", and then by`clicking and rewarding` when your puppy follows your instructionsyou`ll beef-up those cause-and-effect associations.

You`ll surprised how quickly your pup understands what`s happening and how eager he is to please you.

Step-By-Step Guide To Clicker Training Your Pup

There are a few simple steps to follow to make sure that you get started off on the right foot - and paw.

Puppies are creatures of habit, and they`re also like little sponges and learn very fast.

If they learn the `wrong` thing first time around, or build a bad habit, it can be challenging to convince them that they need to do things a different way!

Luckily using a clicker isn`t complicated, and if you follow the steps outlined here you won`t have any problems getting it right.





`Loading The Clicker`

To start your puppy clicker training off in the right way, you needto `load` the clicker - this is how you teach your puppy that the`click` means something good...a treat!

Load the clicker by `clicking and treating` 10 - 12 times in quick succession without asking your puppy for any specific behavior.

Video: Clicker Training - 1 - Sit

Just click and treat! At this point the treats are `freebies` and you`re just aiming to have your pet associate the noise with a treat. End the session after a dozen or so click-and-treats.

Clicker Training For Basic Obedience

You can teach your puppy all the basic obedience commands such as `Sit`, `Down`, `Stay`, `Leave It` and so on.

The process is the same for each one, so let`s take a look at the simplest (and usually the first) command, the `Sit`........

  • Begin by trying to catch your pup in the act ofsitting down and `capture` this behavior by `clicking and treating` ashe`s in the process of sitting down.

  • Remember to click and treat the second his littlebooty hits the floor! 3 or 4 repetitions is enough per training sessionto begin with, and 3 or 4 sessions a day works well.
  • Once you`ve practiced like this for a while, and you`re sure your little one understands the connection between his sitting and the clickand treat, you can begin to use verbal cues.
  • Get his attention and then say "sit" in a firm but friendly way,as soon as his little butt begins to touch the floor, click and treatand say "good sit".
  • Use the same puppy clicker training process for any command youwant to teach your puppy. Remember though that puppies have very shortattention spans, so keep the sessions short and always end on a positivenot (ie. when he`s been successful).

Never use the clicker for anything except your puppy clickertraining sessions, as using it as a toy or in any other situation willonly confuse your little furchild.

Eventually (maybe after several weeks, or longer) you`ll findyour pup is very consistent and reliable in obeying your instructions.At that point you can start to treat intermittently rather than everytime he does what you want. You`ll still need to click every timethough!

By only treating every second, or every third time you helpprevent him from getting totally `food focused` and keep him onhis toes, as he never knows which time he`ll get his reward!

Clicker training is really simple and your pup will `get it` quickly. To help YOU `get it`, here`s a short video that shows you how to apply the principles of this style of dog training.


You can use the puppy clicker training method to teach all kinds ofdog obedience commands, behavior and tricks (including agilitytraining). You can also use it to train other animals such as cats orbirds.

Training your puppy should be a fun and rewarding experience forboth of you, and puppy clicker training makes this possible. It`s agreat way to help build a strong and trusting relationship between youand your puppy.

With puppy clicker training you can raise the happiest, healthiest, best behaved dog you could ever hope for!

If you want to learn more about puppy clicker training, and getthe right equipment, there`s a great source for everything you need...

The Versatile Clicker

Training your puppy should be a fun and rewarding experience forboth of you, and puppy clicker training makes this possible. It`s agreat way to help build a strong and trusting relationship between youand your puppy.

With this simple, fun technique you can raise the happiest, healthiest, best behaved dog you could ever hope for.

If you want to learn more about dog clicker training, and getthe right equipment then Karen Pryor is the one to ask!

Karen developed this training method with dolphins during the 1960`s, and then began using it to work with dogs in the 90`s.

Her experience and products are second-to-none and she has everything you could possibly need (including products and instructional materials).

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