Clicker Training

This kind of training uses the power of timing and rewards versus the power of punishment.

This innovative training method, which is supported by the American Kennel Club, is a gentle method that has been used to train dogs, puppies, horses, turtles, lobsters, birds, virtually anything-even goldfish.

With this technique, a puppy can be trained to come when called, chew only its toys (and not your shoes and socks), sit to be petted, not jump on people, and to ‘go where it’s supposed to go, as well as how to chase its tail, retrieve a toy, and other games.

Here’s how clicker training works:

• The puppy/dog begins to do something you want it to. You instantly signal your approval (a clicker works well for this). Click while the behavior is happening. Reward with a treat (one small taste of something special).

• The puppy misbehaves. No click. No reward. You wait for a behavior you like.

Clicker training focuses on building behavior, not stopping behavior. The clicker is an event marker; it tells the dog exactly what behavior is ‘good’. You then reinforce the message with a treat. This is the beginning of shaping the behavior of the dog. Using this method, a dog can be trained to do virtually anything that it is physically capable of doing