How to Use a Clicker To Train A Dog For Specific Behaviors

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By knewf
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This dog SITS on command because he was clicker trained

When you use a "clicker" you are working towards the end result of putting the dog into a "learning mode" and in the end, when he hears the clicker, he will understand that he has performed a behavior which was correct and he will be rewarded.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

a dog
a clicker
lots of small treats

Step 1

Prepare your small treats. Cut up hot dogs into small pieces or use any other treat, just make sure that the treats are small so as not to make the dog sick by giving him too many large treats at a time.
Step 2

Put all the small treats into a bowl on the table or into your treat bag where you can easily reach them.
Step 3

Get the dog and stand or sit with the treats nearby and the clicker in one hand.
Step 4

Begin to "click" the clicker. Each time you click, give the dog a treat.
Step 5

Continue to "click" and "treat" for at least 20 treats.
Step 6

Stop clicking.
Step 7

Wait for the dog to change his behavior in some manner. If he has any "smarts" he will appear confused and will offer a behavior that is different, such as to sit back and look up at you, or paw at you, or even just back up, because he did not get a click or a treat any more.
Step 8

The minute he does ANYTHING that is different from his former behavior, click that behavior and give him a treat.
Step 9

The dog will almost instantly realize that when he does THIS behavior (whatever it is) , he will get a click, and then a treat. You have accomplished your goal. The dog is beginning to understand that if he performs a certain behavior he will get a click and a treat.
Step 10

Stop the training session after the dog has performed this behavior for at least five more times.
Step 11

Do the same thing the next day or later during the same day but this time give only two or three "free" treats. Then click the behavior the dog already knows.
Step 12

Now change your response that you are looking for. If the dog was sitting, wait until he lies down, for example, or turns his head, or backs up. Then continue to click only on that behavior.
Step 13

Begin to add words and say them so that the dog knows the behavior you are requesting. Click and treat and alternate the two behaviors.
Step 14

You are well on the way to clicker training the dog to perform behaviors on command and to help him understand which behavior he is performing is the correct behavior.
Step 15

Use the clicker to train for specific behaviors any time, any place. What will happen is that the dog will respond when he sees that you have the clicker by focusing on you and attempting to perform behaviors which will get him his treat.
Step 16

Gradually take away the number of times that you give a treat immediately after the "click" so that the dog will make the connection that the sound of the "click" is as reinforcing to him as the actual "treat".