Clicker Training

You have probably heard of clicker training, but you may not know what it is or how to use it effectively. New research from the University of Lincoln illustrated that clicker training—relying solely on positive reinforcement—is the most effective way to train a dog. Read more about the study here!

But what is clicker training? We use the clicker to mark the behavior you want your dog to learn. The sound captures a moment in time and prevents accidental reinforcement of any other behaviors your dog may offer. For example, if you intend to reinforce your pup for a sit, but then she stands, wags her tail, and backs up before you deliver the treat, how will she know which behavior actually earned her the reward? By marking the exact moment her bum hits the ground, you’re taking away all the guesswork. 

Not only is clicker trainer very efficient, it is also a great way to build a strong bond with your dog. Because clicker training is fear-free and offers access to rewards, it builds your dog’s confidence.

So how exactly does it work? 

Your pup needs to know precisely what behavior is earning the reward.

1. Give your cue (a.k.a the antecedent).

2. Click when the behavior happens.

3. Give a reward (reinforcer).

4. Repeat.

It’s as easy as that. Always remember your ABCs—antecedent, behavior, consequence. Something incites a behavior (a verbal cue or the sight of a dog), the dog displays the behavior (sits or looks at you), the dog earns a reward (cheese!). That’s how learning takes place. Juggling a clicker, leash, and treats takes practice—humans need training too—but you’ll get the hang of it. Once you get the timing right, results will quickly follow. Just as your dog practices her manners, practice the accuracy and speed of your treat delivery. You have two to five seconds after a click, when key learning takes place, to deliver the food. If you are overwhelmed with the idea of clicker training, take a moment to mime out the action and count one, two, three—it is longer than you might think. A few test runs will prove you are capable and reward you with a happy best friend.

Will I have to use the clicker every time I ask my dog to sit?!

Nope! The beauty of clicker training is that you only use the clicker when you are teaching a new behavior. Once your dog understands the cue and offers the behavior reliably, you no longer need to use the clicker. As she learns, you also won’t need to feed your dog every time you ask her to do something. Over time, thin out your schedule of reinforcement so that you only need to give her an occasional treat but the behavior sticks. Not knowing when the next treat will be delivered will actually strengthen the behavior.

Test out your clicker skills in an Obedience class!