Home | Lifestyle | Dogs | Clicker Training | Clicker Training Ideas

Clicker Training Ideas

by Em Connell McCarty

  • Overview

    Clicker training uses a click-and-treat method of training. The click of a clicker--or a verbal cue such as a tongue cluck or yes--marks a desired behavior, and the treat positively re-enforces the behavior. Teach it by always following a single click with a treat, and then use clicker training ideas for teaching and shaping desired behaviors.
    One click tells your dog "you did it!"

  • Attaching a Cue

    You have clicked and treated your dog every time she sits, now you need to attach the word "sit" to the behavior. Your dog should start actively sitting for you every chance she gets in hopes of getting a treat. When she volunteers a sit, label it with a verbal "sit" and then click and treat. After a few repetitions of this, ask her for a "sit." Only say it once and wait for her to sit. When she does, click and treat her.
 

  • Shape the Behavior

    To get a more prompt sit, wait until your dog is sitting 100 percent of the time when cued. Then, begin only clicking and treating when your dog sits promptly on cue. Similarly, to get a prettier sit, only click and treat the prettiest of your dog's sits. To use shaping while teaching a behavior, click each step towards the desired behavior. If you are teaching a down, have your dog sit (do not click and treat) and then lure her towards the ground with a treat. When her elbows touch the ground, click and treat. Again ask for a sit, lure towards the ground, click and treat as her elbows touch the ground. Soon, she will be offering the new behavior. Next, after she voluntarily drops to her elbows, praise her but do not click. Lure her further down until her belly touches the ground. Then, click and treat.

  • Clicking Good Behavior

    You can also teach your dog by clicking and treating him to shape his general behavior to be more desirable. If he does not bark at the mailman, click and reward. If he does not jump on you when you walk through the door, click and reward. If he does not steal your pork chop when you leave the room, click and reward. By noticing and marking his good behavior, you are encouraging him to continue with the good behavior rather than resorting to naughtiness to get your attention.

  • Not Just for Dogs

    You can use clicker training every day in all aspects of your life. If your cat scratches the scratching post instead of your antique dresser, mark the behavior and reward it. If your child comes to you the first time you yell his name, mark the behavior and reward him. If your boss calls you by name and does not treat you like a peon, mark the behavior and reward her. Positive re-enforcement can be a powerful training tool when used consistently and appropriately.

    References & Resources

    • The Power of Positive Dog Training; Pat Miller; 2001
    • Don't Shoot the Dog; Karen Pryor; 1984
    • Beginning Family Dog Training; Patricia McConnell; 1996
       
       
     
     

    Popular Topics