What is a clicker?
A clicker is simply a small plastic device that makes
a distinctive ëclickí sound when pressed.The clicker
has no value or meaning of its own but can quickly
be conditioned to represent access to ëgood things
to your dog.
How Does it work?
By clicking once then immediately treating with a
small titbit, your doglearns the association that
ëclickí means ìgood job youíve earned a reward!
You'll be training your dog to do the behaviours you
want while Fido thinks hes training you to
click! Dogs enjoy the mental challenge of the clicker
training game as they grow to realise that their behaviour
determines the rewards.
Why not say good dog?
A clicker is more effective than simply saying ìgood
dog for two main reasons.One is that, it is a very
distinctive sound completely unlike human speech.Dogs
quickly learn that each and every click has a significance
for them (leads to rewards).On the other hand, by
necessity dogs learn to tune out most human words
because the majority of words dont have any significance
for them. Secondly, the clicker is much quicker than
spoken words. To be a effective reward should be delivered
within one second ofthe behaviour you wish to reinforce.
In practice, this can be very difficult. In thefew
extra seconds, a dog can do lots of different things
- how does the dog know which one earned the treat?
Was it the sit or jumping up and licking your face?
Theclicker pin points exactly which behaviour it is
that you liked and bridges the time between the behaviour
and the reward. Dolphin trainers have been using this
type of training for years using a whistle instead
of a clicker. When the dolphin jumps , the trainer
blows a whistle to let the dolphins know "Yes
I liked that come and get a fish."
The clicker tells your dog "I liked that
youve earned a reward."
Getting started with a clicker.
You can start clicker training your dog or puppy
from the first day you bring it home. Click and reward
for all the behaviours you like sitting, lying
quietly, even toileting in the right spot. You dont
have to use the clicker for just one behaviour at
a time - click and reward all the behaviours you would
like to see become part of your pets usual repertoire.
This is called opportunity training or free shaping
and means you simply watch, click and reward. The
behaviours you click will increase in frequency while
the behaviours that have not been clicked will begin
to extinguish. Puppies are a special delight
to clicker train, as they grasp the training game
very quickly, however clicker training can be just
as effective on dogs of all ages and personalities.
Dogs who may have had a bad association with previous
training methods or who are very timid, blossom under
this no pressure no threat system of training. Amazingly
it works equally well with pushy dogs who learn that
to gain rewards they have to stop being a bully and
THINK what it is that will make their owner CLICK!
Advantages of Using a Clicker
It is a short, sharp, clear sound very different
to the human voice. Dogs, by necessity tune out to
most of what we say as it does not apply to them .
They soon learn the clicker is their special sound.
Clicker training will help you to say less to your
dog & observe more. Dogs communicate mainly by
body language. It is only fair that we learn a bit
about their language instead of expecting them to
only learn our verbal one. Understanding your
dogs movements will maketraining easier. Clicking
requires a more conscious effort than speaking does
for most people making you more aware of your timing
of rewards.
Once your dog understands click means treat, you
dont need to have food in sight to reward your dog.
You can keep treats hidden in your pocket or on the
table. Click & treat training automatically teaches
your dog to pay attention to you - without force.
It opens the channels of communication between you
and your dog . You'll think you're training it and
your dog will think its training YOU to click! Training
time will become the best time you spend with your
dog. The training game itself becomes rewarding to
the dog.
SOME IMPORTANT POINTS ABOUT CLICKERS
Think of your clicker as a battery operated camera.You're
going to use your clicker to take snapshots of all
the things you like your dog to do (sitting, lying
down, keeping four feet on the ground when visitors
arrive etc.). To keep the battery in your camera charged,
you have to follow each click with a treat.If you
click without treating, the clicker like the camera
would cease to work.
The clicker is just a training tool that helps you
communicate with your dog. Once your dog fully understands
a new behaviour you don't need to use the clicker
any more the information it provided has been
assimilated. The clicker ends a behaviour - it doesn't
matter what the dog does after the click (the photo
is already taken remember) he has earned his reward.
When you want to extend the time your dog sits
or downs, simply delay the click. Start with just
a few seconds, then build slowly.The click will end
the exercise, releasing your dog from position.
Clickers and Bait bags are available through:-
Get S.M.A.R.T Dogs
Telephone (02) 9499-2119
Further information is available on the Internet
at these sites:
www.pryork@karenpryor.com/
www.clickandtreat.com
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