How to Use a Clicker for Dog Training

Trainers and dogs love it.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clicer. Patience. Treats.

1. Sit in an informal place with your dog. Hold the treats in your hand or have them in a bowl nearby. Hold the clicker.

2. Click the clicker. Give a treat.

3. Repeat 1-2 until you click and the dog expects a treat immediately afterwards.

4. Now, use the clicker as an auditory reward for the dog to mark exact behaviors. When you want the dog to sit, give your command and, as soon as his butt hits the ground, click, then treat.

5. The benefit of the clicker is that it marks the exact behavior. Dogs pick up on the behavior quicker.

Tips & Warnings

• Eventually, you'll want to vary your clicks. You want to keep the dog guessing as to when he'll receive the reward.
• Whenever you click, the dog gets a treat.
• If you don't want to buy a clicker, try using a word, like "Yes." Remember to keep the word the same all the time.
• Keep training fun for you and your dog.