How to Introduce Your Dog to Clicker Training

Clicker training is a fabulous way to train any dog. I have used the clicker to train dogs from Rottweilers to Labs. The clicker serves as a way to mark the exact moment at which the dog is doing the requested behavior. The behavior that will get him a treat! The click ultimately becomes the reward marker in and of itself, and can be used as a substitute for a food treat. This article shows you, step by step, how to introduce your dog to a clicker.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a clicker
• a couple dozen treats
• your dog
• in rare circumstances, something to muffle the clicker

1. 

   Take the clicker in one hand, holding it so you are poised to click. Hide it behind your back or wrap it in a scarf. The idea is for the dog not to be distracted by it.

2. Test click to see if your dog is one of the few that is startled by the sound of it. If not, skip to step four.

3. 

   If your dog is afraid of the clicker, you have a couple options. You can use a different reward marker, like a clicking pen or a finger snap. Best if you can desensitize your dog by muffling the sound, and de-muffling it as time passes. You can bandage up the clicker to do so. The more bandages over the dot, the more muffle. Bandage until the dog isn’t scared, and then over the next few weeks unbandage it. If your dog ever gets scared again, you have de-muffled too quickly.

4. 

   You can stop hiding the clicker now. Call Poochy over. Click! and then treat. Click! and treat several times. When Poochy’s eyes light up at the Click!, he is getting it. This may take a few repetitions to a couple of dozen, depending on your dog. Every Click! gets a treat. Just don’t reward Poochy if he does something naughty, like jump up. Wait until he’s back down before treating.

5. If Poochy doesn’t want to eat the treats, you need better treats or to work somewhere less distracting. You might also want to wait until he’s hungry (right before his regular meal time). If you free feed Poochy, take up the food for five hours beforehand. He’ll be into the treats!

6. If Poochy is TOO enthusiastic about the treats, and it nipping at your hands, don’t worry. This is standard puppy-ness. Just yelp, or say “Ouch!”, and leave for a minute or two. (Only leave Poochy in a puppy-proof place.) If you are dealing with an adult dog, or if that doesn’t work, you can toss the treats on the floor or feed the Poochy from your palm instead of your fingers.

7. 
   Give Poochy a kiss!

   Congratulations! Poochy should now know that Click! is synonymous with Treat! Soon enough, you will be able to treat less, and Poochy will still have constant affirmation that he is doing great following your commands.

Tips & Warnings

• Go easy on your dog. This is a new experience for him or her. You want them to be very happy during this process, so that Click! means wonderful things.
• If you've got more than one dog, introduce them one at a time.
• I use the basic clicker, a photo of which is above. You don't have to get a fancy, expensive one. You can even use the click of a pen.
• If the dog is distracted by the clicker itself, let him smell the treat, and while he's investigating your hand, Click! then treat.
• Never, ever, punish your dog during the process of introducing him or her to the clicker.
• Don't let your dog take the clicker in his or her mouth.

[Soulsearcher83]

on 1/3/2009 I've been reading about this and am considering making it part of my dog's ongoing training. I'm hoping to make him a therapy dog. Thanks for the article. It's detailed and has a good step-by-step approach.

[burlykim]

on 10/5/2008 Thanks, gardengates!

[Gardengates]

on 10/3/2008 Excellent article. Clear, accurate and right to the point.