Jump start your dog training with a click

For starters, what exactly is a clicker? The clicker is a small plastic box with a metal strip that makes a “click” sound when you press it. We use it in dog training as part of a learning method called operant conditioning, first identified and developed by renowned American psychologist B.F. Skinner while he was a graduate student at Harvard University in the 1930s. Operant conditioning explains an animal’s ability to learn to repeat behaviors by rewarding it with a positive consequence and to not repeat behaviors that have a negative consequence. In other words, if a child gets $5 for every A on his report card, he will try to get as many As as he can, especially in this economy. However if he gets his X-Box taken away when he gets an F, he’ll likely try hard not to get any. Smart kid!

Clicker training has been used with a multitude of species from birds, to pigs, chickens, marine mammals, cats and man’s best friend. A great thing about clicker training is that it focuses on a dog doing the right thing, as opposed to punishing a dog for doing the wrong thing.

Because correct timing is essential in clicker training, the best way to implement it is under the direction of a qualified clicker trainer. I always have my students start out using a short, concise word marker such as “yes,” or “bingo,” before moving on to a clicker. This allows them the opportunity to develop better timing and a rhythm with their dogs. However if you’re ready to add the clicker to your training program, here are some quick tips:

1. Be sure to click while the behavior is happening and not afterward. For instance, if you tell your dog to “sit,” you should click just as his rear is hitting the floor. If you’re clicking at the same time you’re giving the treat, you clicked too late.

2. Only click once, press and release. If you want to emphasize how pleased you are, give more rewards, not more clicks.

3. Never use a click to mark bad behaviors. Clickers were meant for positive reinforcement, not as a punishment.

4. Load up a clicker by clicking behaviors your dog already knows, like “sit,” “down,” etc. This helps reinforce what the sound of the click means and makes introducing new behaviors much more exciting and clear.

5. Keep clicker training sessions short and sweet. When you get out the clicker, you want your dog chomping at the bit every time!

6.  “Shape” more complex behaviors by clicking smaller parts of the big picture. For instance, if you want your dog to fetch, first teach your dog to go out to the object by clicking that behavior. Then progress to teaching your dog to bring it back to you by clicking that part of the behavior, and finally to hold the object in his mouth until you take it from him.

7. Does your dog chase his tail, cover his eyes, place his head on your knee? Keep your clicker handy so you can “catch” interesting and fun behaviors like these and let him know you like them. Then you can add a word cue to it later and add it to his repertoire of tricks!

Clicker training is fun and is not only a great way to add enthusiasm to your training program, it’s a great relationship building skill as well.

Laurie C. Williams is a Stafford business owner and certified professional dog trainer. Reach her at onesmartpooch@aol.com.