There are many ways to teach a dog to behave, one of them is clicker training. It is a small mechanical device that makes the typical “click” noise when you exert pressure on it. In this way, the dog reacts and acts accordingly. For it to work, you need to work a lot with the animal, so that it learns step by step what you expect from it every time you use this mechanism.
What is clicker training?
If you are thinking about training your dog, one of the most popular ways is to do it with a clicker. Nowadays, it is very common to see people interacting with their pets next to this device and it is due to its functionality. Without a doubt, communication improves between the dog and its owner when, in fact, you only have to press a button for the device to make noise.
The clicker is nothing more nor less than a behavior reinforcer. This way, when the dog is aware that you are using him, he will discover that there is something he has done well. Likewise, you will show him that you are very proud of his behavior. In addition to the above, it must be taken into account that, along with this device, prizes are used.
This means that through clicker training the dog will begin to associate the combination of a certain behavior with a reward. Therefore, you will feel very motivated to act appropriately. In this way, the clicker is a way to teach him small tricks, such as lying down or shaking his paw, and other basic commands.
On the other hand, you have to know that the clicker is much more. In this way, through its use, aggressive behaviors can be avoided, for example. If when someone pulls the animal’s tail, far from growling, it remains calm, using the clicker will instantly let it know that it has acted correctly. Likewise, using this device will help you feel closer to your pet since you will understand each other in a much simpler way.
How to train a dog with a clicker?
To know how clicker training works and how to train a dog with this method, you must follow the following steps:
- Learn to use the clicker: this device can be purchased at any pet store. By pressing the button, you will be able to transmit a reward signal. It is a way to show your pet that after the “click” they will receive a reward and you will indicate the exact moment in which they do something well. It is more precise than signals that are emitted through words.
- Show your pet the clicker: of course, before achieving the goals you seek with clicker training, you have to teach the animal what this device and its sound will mean to it. In this way, stand in front of your dog in a room and put a clicker in one of your hands and a treat in the other.
At this point, press the button once to make the noise and give the treat when the animal reacts to the sound. To carry out this process properly you will need a lot of dog treats since you will need to practice many times in a row. If the dog wants to eat the treat without having sounded the clicker, close your hand and wait for the dog to stop insisting before using the mechanism again.
- Start using the clicker: Start using the clicker by asking the animal to sit or lie down. It is a way to make it clear that you are using the device for its good behavior.
- Add a verbal command: In addition to the treat, during clicker training, it is very convenient that you also use a verbal command. It will be very useful to reinforce the behavior you want your dog to repeat. This should be short and direct, like “down” or “sit down.” Longer sentences can cause the animal to not understand what you want to say. The command must be given before the dog acts: otherwise, you will not be appropriately teaching him.
Basic rules to teach
There are many rules that a dog can learn through clicker training. Among them are:
- Hygienic behavior: when the animal relieves itself on the street, in the correct place, you have to use the clicker to reinforce this behavior. This way, the dog will know what to do or how to do it when, for example, it feels like peeing.
- Bite inhibition: when the dog feels overwhelmed, but does not react negatively to a pet, it is also time to use the clicker and make him see that his calm behavior makes you feel proud.
- Positions: When you want your dog to lie down or sit, use the clicker. This way you will know that he is making the right gesture.
