Posts Tagged ‘clicker train’
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She's just released some great step-by-step videos that show you how to eliminate 95% of all dog behavior issues by working with your dog's natural instincts.
I have a few of her books and love the way she teaches. Not to mention that her stuff really works.
Click on the video to watch. You'll be glad you did...
Proper communication is central to helping your family have a satisfactory experience in training your dog. If your dog receives different signals from family members problems can arise. When your dog gets mixed signals he is confused as to what is expected. If your dog is confused he may not respond or he may perform erratically.
Your dog’s confusion will escalate if he is reprimanded for not following a command he does not understand. Aggressive behavior will result if this confusion continues.
A good way to eliminate this confusion is with clicker training. Clicker training is easy to learn. A clicker improves communication and motivation because it helps your dog clearly understand the task he is expected to accomplish. The consistency of a clicker is something your dog can trust and, therefore, he will trust the clicker and this trust will prompt him to follow the commands of anyone using a clicker.
Clicker training focuses on rewarding correct behavior. For example, if you don’t want your dog to jump up you reward him when all four paws are on the ground. You always emphasize the behavior you want, not the incorrect behavior.
You click the clicker as soon as your dog does what you want him to do. This is quickly followed by a treat which reinforces the desired behavior.
You do not tolerate bad behavior. You reward for correct behavior after stopping the wrong behavior. An example would be if your dog puts his paws on your coffee table. You would remove his paws from the table and when all of his paws are on the floor you would give a click followed by a treat. Whenever you observe your dog performing the correct task you give a click and a treat. It will soon become apparent, to your dog, that a click and a treat follows the behavior you want. Since your dog wants the treat that comes after a click he becomes an active participant in his own training as he finds ways to please you. This is one reason why learning to clicker train your dog is of such value.
A hand signal or verbal phrase can be added when a behavior is well established. When you want your dog to perform a specific task the cue will be what you will use. In order for your cue to be effective it must apply to one specific task. You should not use a general cue such as “good boy” but you should pick a specific word or phrase such as “quiet,” “good quite,” or “sit.” Your dog needs to learn to associate a specific cue to a specific action.
In order to teach the cue correctly you use the clicker, and give the treat, after you cue the action. When the cue is well understood you no longer have to follow it with a click and a treat. The clicker and the treat can now be replaced with your praise and attention.
As mentioned clicker training is something that can be done by the whole family. Children take to clicker training very easily.
A clicker is a training tool that you should consider. It is very effective if used properly. Consider making a clicker part of your dog training program. Clicker training, as well as other dog training programs, takes time, patience and consistency. Clicker training is fun for your dog and fun for your family, as well as, an excellent way to teach your dog tricks.
