Clicker Training For Pets: Introduction to Clicker Training, Its Effectiveness In Teaching New Behaviours And Tricks to Pets

Teaching your pet new behaviours is a lot of fun. It is also a great way to bond with your furry. If you are a dog parent looking for new ways to teach them new behaviours, clicker training is a great way forward. If you use a clicker, you can tell your dog that it has done exactly what you want, at that very moment. Clicker training is a valuable tool that clarifies to the dog that they are exhibiting the correct behaviour. 

When you are training your dog, you can use the clicker's sound to mark the correct behavior at that moment. Over time an association builds between the command, the click, and the reward. This helps confirm to the dog that they have performed the precise task. 

What Is Clicker Training?

The name of clicker training is marker training. You use the clicker to mark the desired behavior. The sound of each click sounds like a reward for your dog. Due to this, you do not need to use food or treats to reward your dog. Once the dog associates the clicks with good outcomes, your dog will try to replicate behaviors that result in the click. When your dog goes over a command with a clicker a few times, a clicker can help make it easier for the dog to perform the trick or remain in the position you need them to be.

Understanding Operant Conditioning

Ivan Pavlov introduced Operant Conditioning with a series of experiments with dogs which included the use of a bell to indicate when they would be fed. During this experiment, he realized that if he made the dogs wait, they would start to drool. Over a period, he was able to add the sound of the bell before he showed the food or treats to the dogs. He would wait for them to drool again. Finally, he could ring the bell without any treats or food and get them to drool. This experiment is called Operant Conditioning. Through Operant Conditioning, dogs can expect specific outcomes in the presence of a stimulus. In clicker training, the clicker becomes the bell. 

How To Introduce Clicker Training To Your Dog? 

The first and foremost thing to do is get your dog used to the clicker's sound as a reward. Only after the clicker’s sound is accepted as a reward by your dog can you reduce the use of food rewards in training sessions. In clicker training, consistency is the key. Therefore, you should always press the clicker at the exact moment when your dog complies with your command. 

Initially, it is crucial to introduce the clicker and take some time to establish its meaning. You should not worry about commands at the very beginning. Always start by using a handful of treats and pressing the clicker whenever you give your dog a treat. This helps make the clicker sound a positive one for your dog as they associate it with a reward. 

Using A Clicker to Teach Your Dog A Command

Once your dog understands that the ‘click’ sound of the clicker means it's time to get a reward, you can move on to the next step: teaching them a command using a clicker. You can begin by deciding what command you want to teach your dog first. For example, if you wish to teach your dog the command ‘sit’, all you have to do is, say the word sit, make your dog come in the sitting posture and then press the clicker. You can give them a treat as soon as you press the clicker. Repeat the command a couple of times for your dog to build an association between the command ‘sit’ to actual sitting and then the sound of the clicker followed by a reward! 

When we say you need to help your dog come in the sitting posture, we mean doing it gently and with a lot of love. You should not be aggressive at all. Gently guide your dog to ‘sit’ and each time they do - immediately press the clicker and give them a treat. Once your dog starts to sit every time on command, you can eventually phase out the clicker and bring in praise. A lot of trainers use the word “Yes!” when the dog performs the behaviour on command. Make sure you use lots of praise and of course, a treat or two while training them is always helpful. 

Tips for Effective Clicker Training

Below are a few tips that can help you in effective clicker training.

•      Timing is crucial: Your dog must understand the behaviour they are getting rewarded for. You could try to click during the correct behavior if you can and give them the treat immediately afterward. 
•      Reward every time: During the early stages of clicker training, each click sound must mean a guaranteed treat. Thus, if you end up pressing the clicker accidentally, reward your furry with a treat anyway. 
•      Always keep the treats small: Since clicker training your dog requires a lot of treats, you should break one treat into several small pieces. 
•      Always end on a positive note: Clicker training is a process that requires effort from both you and your dog. It is a lot of fun, too, as you get to spend time with your dog. It is advised that you end the training session on a positive note: a correct action, a click, a treat, and lots of praise. 

For pet training needs, certified pet trainers are highly recommended. You can book a session at Zigly, check the wide range of professional pet training services or take your furry to a vet for more information. 

Also Read: Why Is Pet Training Important?