Clicks Instead Of 'Good Boy' For Dog Training

Ann Doyle

The first major improvement in dog training since choke chains
and spiked collars, click and treat has quickly establishing
itself in becoming a big hit in the world of dog training.
Currently, there are over 10,000 trainers who are using this
training method everyday.

One advantage to using this form of training at home is it's
easy to learn for both the dog and his trainer!

Originally used to train marine mammals, click and treat breaks
down the process into two separate steps, information and
motivation. The click is the information, the treat is the
motivation. While other trainers still work on these two steps,
they try to teach them all at once, which can confuse the animal
and slow down results.

Most trainers will verbally praise a dog for good behavior,
while at the same time motivating the dog to repeat his actions.
This can be a good method, however it takes longer for the dog
to understand which behaviors and actions caused the praise from
the trainer.

With the click and treat method, the processes are easily
taught. In normal training, a person would say "good boy" when a
welcomed action occurs and proceed with giving a treat. The
clicker becomes a substitute for verbal praise and can actually
catch the "good boy" behavior quicker than saying it, letting
the dog know exactly which behavior he is being rewarded for.

Another way to look at click and treat training is viewing it as
a secondary reinforcement, while food, water, physical affection
and play (things the dog wants) become primary reinforcement.
When you take a dog for a walk, the leash works as a secondary
reinforcement. It is obvious to the dog that the leash is not
taking him for a walk; the owner is, however, it triggers a
reaction in the dog, telling him that the leash will let him
know where he will go and where he will not. And if he reacts to
the leash with good behavior, his reward will be a nice
leisurely walk.

Click and treat works the same way. When a dog hears the
clicker, he will know that he performed a good behavior and as
long as he keeps hearing a click, there is a treat coming his
way. So, the clicker works as a secondary reinforcement,
teaching him boundaries and appropriate behavior.

A couple advantages of the click and treat method include;

1) Faster response than verbal praise. The clicker can identify
the exact behavior at the time it happens.

2) It takes the place of treats. While motivating the dog to
hear clicks, it will also teach him to work without the
expectations of having treats given to him each time he does
something good.

3) If the trainer is working at a distance from the dog, the
clicker will still work, without having to be right next him.

Are you ready to try clicker training?

The first thing you'll need to do is go to your favorite pet
supply store and invest in a clicker. The clicker is nothing
fancy and should just cost you under five dollars. While you're
there grab some pocket treats, little bits of dried liver work
well.

A good method to use when getting started with click and treat
is to stand in front of the animal. Click the clicker and give a
treat. Continue doing this for 20-30 minutes, or until the dog
becomes startled by the sound of the click. This will
familiarize him to the clicking sound, while teaching him that
every time he hears it, he has done something good. After he
gets the hang of it, begin by adding commands, such as "sit" and
"stay."

Click and treat has proven to be a simple, yet consistent
training method with quick results. So for the trainers out
there who are looking for a new and innovative way to motivate
and praise their animals, get out there, buy a clicker and...
click!

About the author:

Ann Doyle is an avid dog lover, and has been for years. Visit
her blog at http://www.abetterdog.com

About the Author: