Are you looking for a positive way to train your puppy? Click training your puppy may be the best option for you.
It’s a useful item that can aid in housebreaking puppies, controlling unwelcome puppy behavior, and maintaining your dog’s safety. (And let’s face it, pups have a tendency to get into mischief and get wounded, so it’s a good idea to insure them early on!)
How does clicker training work?
Small and portable, a dog clicker emits a clicking sound when activated. They are available in pet supply stores and online. You may even download clicker apps to your smartphone. If it generates a loud, distinct sound, a retractable pen can also work well as a clicker.
Your dog can be trained using a clicker in a very straightforward way. You instruct your puppy to sit or stay. When your puppy complies with your instructions, you use the clicker to generate a clicking noise and reward him with a small treat and lots of praise. Your puppy will eventually begin to connect the sound of the click to the behavior and the treat, making the click a secondary form of reinforcement as a result of time and patience.
Even though not everyone gives their dog a treat after each click, doing so might be beneficial, especially when first starting puppy clicker training. When your puppy learns the routine, you may also discontinue giving goodies.
Top Tips for Click Training Your Puppy
For training advice, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) is a good source, but these 10 can get you going. Most importantly, make sure you enjoy yourself. A dog clicker training session helps strengthen your bond with your young puppy.
1. Avoid loud areas.
In a place with few distractions and some peace and quiet, start clicker training your puppy. Your puppy’s ability to concentrate and hear the clicking sound will improve as a result.
2. Avoid exercising when you are full.
Not directly after meals, but rather when you know your little furry friend has an appetite, is the time to start puppy clicker training. Your dog can be exhausted and less interested in treat rewards if their stomachs are full with food.
3. Timing is crucial.
Make careful to click when your dog is carrying out the action or displaying the behavior. Your puppy can have problems connecting the click with the behavior you’re attempting to teach if you click too soon or too late.
4. Consider taking a photo.
Pretend to be shooting a photo as one method of helping you learn the timing. Click the dog clicker when you can get a picture of your puppy in the middle of anything.
5. Begin with straightforward actions.
Natural behaviors, such as responding when you call your puppy’s name, can make learning easier. As soon as your dog looks at you, click. You can then on to other basic actions like sitting or lying down.
6. Observe your dog in action.
Use the clicker, give your puppy praise, and, if you have any treats on hand, a treat, when you see them about to engage in a behavior you’ve been working on, such as sitting or lying down. This can support the clicker training of the puppy.
7. Prod your dog forward.
Using a bait to get your dog to do a behavior is another technique to advance puppy training. For instance, use the clicker in your palm to gently prod the puppy into sitting while avoiding any use of force. Click and give your pet a treat once they’ve cooperated. If your puppy jumps up again, try it again.
8. Start off quickly.
Because puppies naturally have short attention spans, keep your initial clicker training session brief—maybe 5 minutes. Due to their greater curiosity and engagement, puppies can learn a great deal in brief periods of time. Clicker training sessions that go on too long or are monotonous might be annoying for both of you.
9. Make one click only.
You can give your puppy an extra reward or more praise if you’re particularly proud of them, but don’t increase the quantity of clicks. This can confuse your puppy and make clicker training take longer.
10. Select admirable conduct.
To help your puppy learn the proper way to do things and put an end to undesirable behaviors, you can click on good behaviors. If your dog frequently urinates on the carpet, for example, click when he or she uses the restroom outside. Click when a visitor arrives while your puppy’s paws are still on the floor if your puppy jumps all over visitors.
11. Click for mediocre results.
You don’t have to wait for your dog to get it precisely right before clicking. For baby steps in the right direction, click. For instance, if you instruct your puppy to sit and the animal starts to squat, click even if the animal stands back up on all fours.
12. Take a rest as necessary.
Clicker training a puppy takes time and persistence. Put down the clicker for a time if you or your dog starts to become frustrated. While clicker training, stay away from reprimanding or disciplining your puppy because adding negative reinforcement might be confusing. Positive behavior reinforcement is the main goal of the clicker.
Additionally, clicker training might aid in crate training your puppy. Simply click as soon as your furry friend enters the crate. Find out how to housebreak your puppy.