What Is Dog Clicker Training?
Dog Clicker Training is a dog training method that we use for our dogs that is based on behavioral psychology. It relies on marking desirable behavior and rewarding it, so that your dog will respond only to positive re-enforcement. Punishment is never used in dog clicker training nor is unwanted behavior ever rewarded.
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How Does Dog Clicker Training Work?
Acceptable behavior is marked by using a "clicker," which is a mechanical device that makes a distinct "click" sound. This tool communicates to the dog, specifically when he is doing the acceptable behavior.Dogs respond very well to dog clicker training because it is a form of communication that easy for them to understand when it is combined with positive reinforcement, and positive reinforcement is the key. It is an effective, safe, and humane way to teach your dog any behavior that he is mentally and physically able to perform.
"When an animal intentionally performs a behavior in order to bring about a desired consequence, as clicker trained animals do, they are learning in a way that researchers call "operant conditioning," states Karen Pryor, Dog Clicker Training expert.
Researchers have found that by using punishment, instead of positive reinforcement, the results are often other types of unwanted behavior such as aggression. It is hard to predict what type of behavior will come from using punishment to control your dog.
Dog's seem to perceive punishment as something with no meaning. They don't understand what the circumstance was that provoked the punishment so it is a much less effective form of training. Many times the dog becomes intimidated through the fear it is experiencing and responds to that fear by the "fight or flight" syndrome, by either cowering or attacking.
Dog clicker training works because it helps to form a lasting bond between owner and dog, when the positive reinforcement is used, that makes the relationship stronger and more rewarding. The dog learns not to react out of habit, but instead respond to the sound of the clicker and the reward that comes with it. This is a much more effective and humane way of handling your dog.
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Examples of Clicker Training
Clicker Training - How to clicker train your dog
Dog Behavior Training - Clicker Training Part 2
Intro & equipment for dog clicker training
An Introduction to Clicker Training
An Introduction To Clicker Training
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Finding the Right Training Class
An excerpt from Clicking with Your Dog: Step-by-Step in Pictures, by Peggy Tillman
If you have permission to click in a non-clicker class, it's important for the instructor to tell you what they will teach at the next class. This will allow you to introduce your dog to the new skill in a gradual, positive way. Use the class to practice and refine the skill in a distracting location. If your dog doesn't know the skill the class is working on, then work on a skill your dog knows. Train the new skill in small incremental steps at home.The lists of questions below will help you determine whether a dog clicker training class is a good fit for you and your dog or not. Be sure that you interview and observe the person that will actually be teaching your class.
Clicking With Your Dog: Step-By-Step in Pictures (Karen Pryor Clicker Books)
Note From Lensmaster:
Use these next two sets of questions as your check list guides to help you decide whether or not to hire a trainer.
10 Questions To Ask The Dog Clicker Training Instructor
- What are the qualifications of the person that will teach the class?
- Does the instructor require a choke, check, or slip collar? (These are used to correct a dog, and are required in correction-based training classes. Avoid these classes.)
- What are their teaching philosophies/learning theories?
- How many dogs in the class? (Most clicker trainers find that beginning classes are best limited to eight dogs.)
- Can you observe the class (without your dog)?
- What books and DVDs or videos do they recommend you read before the class? Read them and see if you agree with what they say.
- Does the instructor employ assistants? What are their qualifications? Will they be helping with the actual instructing?
- Ask if clickers are allowed. Make sure that you are not convinced not to bring one along.
- Does the instructor ask you what you want to get out of the class, whether socialization, obedience, or a specific solution to a problem? Your instructor should be aware of your personal goals for training your dog.
- Do they encourage the entire family to come and work with your dog? Dog training affects everyone in the family.
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10 Things To Watch For In A Dog Clicker Training Class
- Does the instructor tell the students to correct their dogs (using squirt bottles, leash pops, or loud commands)? Or do they show students how to respond without corrections?
- Does the instructor encourage the students to use a variety of reinforcements (food, toys, or play)?
- Do the students ask questions? Are they answered?
- Are all the dogs wearing the same kind of collar to correct their behavior? (This shows that the instructor is not helping students find individual solutions.)
- Are all the students doing the same things simultaneously (as a drill)? Each dog and handler should be encouraged to learn at their own rate.
- Is the instructor correcting people, or showing them a positive way to succeed?
- Do the dogs seem happy and relaxed, or are they nervous (licking, yawning, or barking)?
- Are the humans relaxed, smiling, and comfortable?
- Does the instructor see dogs as adversarial? Do they explain a dog's behavior as sneaky, deceitful, or stubborn?
- Does the instructor criticize other training methods, yet does not explain why they don't work?
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Pack Mode - Establishing Leader of the Pack
The first thing that I do when I get an adult dog is straddle the dog, from behind the head as you would a horse, and gently but firmly, bite the nape of the dog's neck. This sounds bizarre, but in the dog's world this is letting him know that you are the alpha dog of the pack.
When you leash him to go for a walk, never let the dog out of the door first leading you. You must always walk out the door first with your dog following from behind. This re-establishes that you are the alpha-leader of the pack and dominant over him.
With a puppy, if you pick him up from the scruff of the neck as his mother would, this establishes your dominance right away.
As dogs grow and get older, especially male dogs, they will test your "leadership of the pack" occasionally. the first sign of a male dog testing your control as the leader will be by ignoring you when you give a command.
When this type of behavior begins to surface, re-establishing your control is imperative. One quick method to get the dogs attention is by using a squirt gun. When you give the command and he does not respond or walks away from you, give a quick squirt to the snout, and issue the command again. The shock of it is so unexpected it will usually startle him into responding to the next command.
When he does respond after the startle of the squirt gun, remember your clicker and treat, to reward for an acceptable behavior.
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Our Pets Are Over Vaccinated to Increase Our Vet's Bottom Line.
Please Sign This Petition
Dear Friends,I have just read and signed the online petition:
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I personally agree with what this petition says, and I think you might agree, too. The medical profession has been over medicating and over vaccinating humans for decades and now the vets are doing it too. If you can spare a moment, please take a look, and consider signing yourself.
Caring about our animals,
June
Leave your comments and/or questions about this lens and clicker training.
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AlpineLass
Well done. Training your dog is a necessity, especially in todays over crowded world. Posted June 01, 2008 |
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Dogs-B-Fit
Great site,really good content and sraight to the point-well done Posted April 26, 2008 |
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PetPortraitArtist
Fantastic Lens! Everyone who owns a dog should think about training, it is essential to a wonderful life with your pet! 5 stars and a lensroll to TEES FOR DOGS! Posted January 27, 2008 |
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driewe
Very informative. Posted December 28, 2007 |
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shush
Dog obedience training is not as easy as it seems. read this www.train-a-dog.com Posted December 26, 2007 |
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SharonMay
Well done June, very informative. Thanks for the great information here. http://www.squidoo.com/christmascraftideas/ Posted November 13, 2007 |
