What is a clicker?
A clicker is a small plastic box with a lip, when pressed this lip creates a click sound.
How does it work?
The click sound is paired with a reinforcer that could be either a food reward, or a game such as tuggy or
fetch.
Is it magic?
No. The dog doesnt instantly know what the click sound means so you must charge the clicker adequately before you
start.
What can you do with clicker training?
Anything! The difference between clicker training and traditional methods is that you can theoretically teach an
animal to do pretty much anything.
Have you ever thought how they get animals to perfom in the movies, somehow i dont think they wrap a choke chain
around a whale and force drag him through a hoop.
Who can you clicker train?
Anyone. Young animals are perfect for clicker training as they soak up everything about their environment.
Older animals can also learn clicker training, but some take longer to catch on than others.
What do i need to start?
Grab yourself a box clicker from your nearest pet shop and a bag full of really small but tasty treats.
What do i do now?
Charge the clicker
Make sure your dog is happy to be working and pick a quiet spot.
1) Click the box and give him a treat.
2) Click the box again and give him another treat.
3) Click the box again and give him another treat.
4) Yep you guessed it... you need to repeat this about 20-40 times.
5) Walk away and give him time to take in what hes just learnt.
Just checking
I like to check that the dog knows what the clicker means so when hes not paying direct attention (not when hes busy
smelling or sleeping etc) i click the clicker and if he looks up then bingo you can start on the next step.
Starting the fun stuff
When teaching a dog (or cat, rat, bird etc) that is new to clicker training i like to pick a really simple trick that
he doesnt yet know. My favourite is the hand touch, rub something smelly on your hand and allow your dog to sniff it as his nose touches your
hand CLICK & TREAT (C/T). Repeat. Make sure your timing is right, you dont want to be clicking him for
licking your hand or thats what he will think you want.
Repeat lots. Once he is happily touching
your hand as soon as you put it out to him you can stop rubbing smelly stuff on your hands (phew!).
Remember
1. Only make the click sound if you are going to give the animal a reward.
2. Always reward after a click, even if you clicked by mistake.
3. Only click once - dont get over enthusiastic and dont allow anyone to play with the clicker.
4. Practise your timing (away from your dog) - bounce a ball and try and click as soon as the ball hits the ground.
Its not as easy as you think!
5. Keep sessions short and sweet. 5 minutes a session is perfect, especially for a novice.
