Dog Clicker Training

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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There is lousy positive training and there is effective positive training. So what makes positive training lousy and what makes positive training effective?

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Clicker training is an extremely effective (positive) training technique when it is done correctly. In clicker training the dog is not lured or bribed.

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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.

Training a dog to have behaviors acceptable to humans is an important part of a dog social development in today's world. Some people want to train their dogs to develop skills, and others just want their dogs to learn how to do tricks just for the entertainment value.

Dogs will naturally show many instinctual behaviors that humans have not yet been able to breed out of them, even when highly domesticated. Many of these natural instincts need to be repressed or subdued to be able to live in today's society.

There are several common behavior problems that most people simply can not tolerate. It must be understood that correcting unacceptable behavior will not happen over night and does take patience and consistency.

Here are some suggestions to solve a number of problems usually encountered by dog owners.

I. Undesirable Barking

Barking is the main medium of communication for dogs. However, some dogs tend to bark excessively in which case the owner can do the following actions:

a) If he is barking don't say no. Dogs just can't understand our language and saying "no" repetitively to a dog can excite him and give him the impression that you too are barking and trying to communicate with him.

b) Practice consistency. Use only one command when you want him to stop barking so as not to give mixed messages. By using the same command over and over, the dog will learn what you are trying to teach.

c) Don't get mad at him, be patient enough to drive him to the behavior you want to modify. When you lose your cool, you are only going to add to the behavior problem.

d) Reward him immediately whenever he picks up your command. Don't let a good behavior pass without rewarding it accordingly. Your pet really does want to please you and with positive reinforcement will be encouraged towards more acceptable behavior.

II. Chewing Behavior

Puppies are natural chewers. They use chewing for several reasons. The first is an instinct to work the muscles to strengthen their jaws and mouths, that will be used to hunt when they are old enough to do so. As puppies, they will also chew when teething, when they are bored, and when playing to test their own strength.

Like children, they use their mouths to learn about their new environment. Everything that they encounter will go into their mouths.

To eliminate excessive chewing you can do the following:

a) Put him in a crate where he won't have access to items in the house that can be chewed. Crating dogs is not being mean. Dogs feel safe in their crates instinctively, as if they were in their den in the wild.

b) If you still don't want to confine him in a crate, then be prepared for constant supervision and close monitoring. You do not want to find a tear in your couch because your puppy was chewing up the upholstery.

c) The puppy does not know the difference between an old shoe and a new shoe so instead of giving him shoes; give him other items that are permissible to be chewed. Toys, but not plush toys, may be good alternatives. Always remember to substitute an acceptable chewing item for an unacceptable one.

d) Buy him chew toys. The puppy's chewing tendencies will never be satisfied if he doesn't get to chew on something. If you don't want him gnawing on your furniture, it is best to invest in chew toys. Sticks work well too as long as they are sturdy enough for the pup to chew on for a while before chewing through them.

e) Puppies need a lot of exercise to work off all of that puppy energy. Chewing can also be a result of too much energy being stored up in the body. If he gets enough exercise to tire him out he will be less likely to chew.

III. Unwanted Digging

Another primal instinct of dogs is digging. Digging excessively can be due to boredom, wanting to escape from an uncomfortable environment, needing a cooler place to rest, to hide something like a bone or to make a den. While dogs used digging for many reasons in the wild, many people look at it as destructive behavior and intolerable.

Here are some solutions to avoid undesirable digging behavior:

a) Allow a specific area for him to dig. This way, you will prevent any occurrences of digging in inappropriate places. To condition him to dig the specific area alone, you should try to make it a rewarding experience and punish him whenever he looks for other places to dig.

b) You could also try deterring him from digging in inappropriate places by putting small amounts of diluted ammonia, hot pepper or black pepper in the area.

Unwanted dog behaviors can be tailored according to your particular life style, wants and needs through proper dog training or dog obedience classes. Be prepared to so some research in your local area to select the best training classes available.

Do It Yourself Dog Training
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Do It Yourself Dog Training

No matter what type of training you decide to use for your dog, it is imperative that the dog understands from day one, who is the 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.

A dog plays a special role in a home as he is almost like a part of the family. Just like we love our children, while we train them and guide them in preparation for the outside world, we also also need to train and teach our dogs too. It is a proud feeling to have trained a dog properly so that he is well mannered and obedient. It does not come naturally for dogs to obey. so, they need to be shown, with firmness and kindness, but never through physical pain.

A dog should never ever be hit or smacked. This will only make them more nervous or aggressive. Instead they need to have a lot of patience and perseverance too.

Perseverance, why? Because when you decide to train your dog yourself with the guidance of someone or with a handbook, please remember the most important thing - is repetition. Any type of act or trick has to be done again and again until they get it! It is only when it is repeated that he will get the hang of it and eventually learn it. Dog's need to be reminded and instructions need to be repeated again and again.

But once he is trained, he will hardly need any instruction as he will be well behaved and with a good temperament also. An asset to the home and even in public! Everyone loves a dog that follows its master's commands and is well behaved. They do not mind him coming into their store, as they are convinced that he will not create a ruckus or dirty the place.

Also when you train him, make him understand who is boss. He should know who is boss. Because dogs have a tendency to try to take over and be the leader, they will sense right away if you aren't taking the initiative.

It is this training that will save his or your life a tragic situation. It is when a trained dog knows what to do, that he will salvage a situation. All the training comes handy as they know what to do and mostly listen to your commands. This is very crucial. It is also every important to understand his speed and ability of learning as all dogs are different. And if you want him to train, then understanding his feelings and taking them into consideration is a big part of this package. Go ahead and don't waste any time in basic training like to heel or fetch.

Train Your Dog - The Positive Gentle Method

The Dog Whisperer: Beginning and Intermediate Dog Training

Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan: Power of the Pack

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Caring about our animals,

June