Basics of clicker training

Using a clicker can be more predictable for your dog compared to using marker words such as ‘Yes’. The sound of a clicker is likely to be more strongly associated with getting a treat. It can be confusing for your dog if you use marker words outside of a training context without following it with a reward. Our voices naturally vary in tone, pitch, and volume, which can cause confusion for your dog. However, the sound of a clicker is consistent and easily recognizable for your dog.

If your dog is easily disturbed by noise and finds the sound of the clicker concerning, you have the option to dampen the sound by clicking the clicker while it is inside your pocket. If your dog continues to be fearful of the sound, it is advisable to substitute the clicker with a marker word instead.

Time your clicker correctly

It is crucial to consider the timing of clicking the clicker. Immerse yourself in the idea that the click serves as capturing a snapshot of the desired behavior. Make sure to click only when your dog is performing the precise action you have requested.

If you ask your dog to sit and they bark while doing so, clicking and rewarding them at that moment will reinforce their barking. To prevent this, you should either click before they bark or only click and reward when they sit without barking.

To ensure the desired behavior is reinforced, it is crucial to click at the precise moment and reward your dog within 3 seconds. You can practice by dropping a ball and clicking just as it reaches the floor, although this is more difficult than it appears. Failing to click at the correct time may lead to frustration for your dog and diminish the effectiveness of the click.

Step 1 – Show your dog how the clicker works, and what it does

In order to use a clicker, it is necessary to associate the sound of the ‘click’ with a positive stimulus, such as a reward. This process helps train your dog to expect a treat following the sound of the ‘click’.

To accomplish this, ensure you are in a peaceful setting with no disruptions. In case your dog is motivated by food, you can utilize a portion of their dinner instead of excessive treats.

Repeatedly click and immediately reward your dog when it is in a calm state, ensuring the treat is provided within three seconds.

Step 2 – Start introducing the clicker when your dog does something good

After observing that your dog associates the click with food and shows anticipation, you can proceed to introduce the clicker for marking positive behavior.

In order to improve your timing and help your dog get used to the clicker, you should ask your dog to perform a simple command they already know, such as ‘sit’ or ‘down.’ Once your dog sits, immediately click and reward them. Repeat this exercise in short, regular sessions.

Once your dog demonstrates an immediate response by looking towards the source of treats, indicating comprehension of the click, you can proceed to employ the clicker for teaching novel actions.

Step 3 – Use the clicker as part of dog training

Clicker training is an effective method for dogs to independently comprehend and perform desired actions. It engages your dog’s mental faculties significantly and serves as an excellent means of mental stimulation.

To utilize the clicker, start by determining the desired final behavior for your dog. Then, divide it into incremental steps. These steps should be progressive and, when clicked, rewarded, and built upon in order, they will ultimately lead to the achievement of the final behavior.

If you are training your dog to sit on a mat, you should start by rewarding any interest your dog shows in the mat. Once they consistently do this, you should then wait for a few seconds for them to take a step towards the mat, and then click and reward the step. Keep repeating this process until you eventually wait for them to place a paw on the mat.

Start by progressing gradually, beginning with two paws on the mat and gradually increasing to three paws. Eventually, only click and reward when all four paws are on the mat.

Once your dog is on the mat, the final step would be to command them to sit. Click and reward them once they successfully sit. Afterward, you can proceed to command your dog to lie down while they are still on the mat. Only click and reward when they accomplish this.

Step 4 – Be consistent

Consistency is crucial in any dog training. It is necessary to click only on the desired behavior at each step. In case of accidentally clicking, it is still important to provide a reward. By doing this, you ensure that your dog maintains the association between the click and the reward, preventing any reversal of the progress achieved through hard work.

It is critical to maintain consistency in your clicking technique. We recommend holding your clicker in the palm of your hand, positioned next to your body. Avoid holding the clicker like a remote control and directing it towards your dog, as this might intimidate them.

Benefits of Using Clicker Training

Clicker training for dogs gained popularity in the 1990s due to its advantageous effects. There exist several benefits to instructing your dog using clicker training.

#1 Your Dog Will Develop Positive Behavior

Instead of using harsh methods and punishments to train your dog, traditional training can be replaced with clicker training. With clicker training, you can reward your dog with treats, which helps reinforce positive behavior rather than instilling fear through harsh treatment.

#2 You Both Will Develop a Stronger Bond

By giving treats during clicker training, you will notice an improvement in your dog’s obedience towards you. Additionally, this enjoyable activity will contribute to the development of a stronger and more profound bond of trust and love between the two of you.

#3 It Is Easy and Efficient

When training a dog with a clicker, it is easier compared to other traditional methods. Teaching your dog tricks will not require much time, and you will be pleased to know that your dog will learn more quickly and develop an interest in learning.

#4 Your Dog Will Love to Respond

Your dog may not react promptly and lose interest in other training styles, but with clicker training, he will be eager to respond in order to receive his beloved treat.

Why Teach Your Dog Tricks?

#1 Better Health

Daily exercise is recommended for dogs in order to promote their overall health. By the way, it is also recommended for you too. Regular physical activity will enable your dog to increase muscle mass and enhance their level of activity. Failure to provide the recommended exercise may result in your dog becoming ill.

#2 They Are Eager to Learn

Your canine companion is naturally inclined to learn from you. Dogs are remarkably obedient and devoted, striving to satisfy you in any possible manner. After acquiring knowledge of dog tricks, they will perform them happily to bring you satisfaction.

#3 Your Dog Can Participate in a Competition

If you train your dog well, there is a possibility for them to participate in various dog competitions such as agility, frisbee, French ring, and more. This could result in you and your dog winning a prize. Isn’t that great?

Dog Tricks With Clicker

Training your dog with a clicker is an enjoyable experience. Your canine friend will pick up new skills at a rapid pace, which will deepen your affection for him. The clicker can be used to teach your dog a wide range of tricks, a few of which are listed below:

Trick #1 – Teach Your Dog to Respond to Your Clicker

To start, you must familiarize your dog with a clicker. Since it will be a novel item, you will need to focus on helping your dog recognize the sound of the clicker. Next, follow these steps to teach your dog how to respond to the clicker.

Begin in a relaxing environment, there should be no distractions.
Now, click your clicker and give him a treat
Repeat it several times a day after a certain period
Test your dog by clicking when he is not paying attention
If he responds, give him a double treat!

Trick #2 – Teach Your Dog How to Heel

Heeling in dog training refers to the action of your dog walking beside you, rather than behind or in front of you, matching your pace. The following steps can be followed to teach your dog to heel.

Take your dog leash in your left hand
Pull him towards yourself when he tries to go to another direction
Now click and give him a treat
Start walking and click then treat
Click and treat after every few steps.
Repeat this four to five times a day
Increase your walk once he has started to learn how to heel

Trick #3 – Teach Your Dog to Fetch

If you want to train your dog to fetch using a clicker, follow the steps below. Fetch is a very common game to play with your dog. During the game, you throw an object and your dog enthusiastically runs to catch it, then brings it back to you.

Get an attractive toy for him
Make him familiar with it and play with him
Make him sniff the toy
Click, and raise the toy, then treat
Make small toss and when your dog catches the toy, treat him
Start making small throws. Click and then treat on retrieving
Repeat and make bigger throws once he learns

Trick #4 – Teach Your Dog to Roll Over

If you want to melt your heart or train your dog to roll over using a clicker, follow the mentioned steps down below as rolling over is one of the cutest dog tricks that makes your heart just melt away when your furball does it.

Make your dog lie down, click and treat
While he is still lying down, click, let him take a turn and give him a treat
Practice on both sides while clicking and treating
Make him follow the food while lying, from one side to the other and treat him
Repeat and repeat several times
Then make him roll faster with faster hand movements holding your treat
Keep away the treat and make him roll over with your hand movement
Once he rolls over completely, give him a treat

Trick #5 – Teach Your Dog to Release

To teach your dog the release command, which involves having your dog relinquish any item held in their mouth, such as your beloved t-shirt, you can utilize a clicker by following the subsequent steps.

Offer your dog anything to hold, not your favorite T-shirt, and let him hold
Click and give him a treat
When he is about to have his treat, take the object away
Repeat it several times, and your dog will release your favorite things easily

Trick #6 – Teach Your Dog to Speak

Teaching your dog to bark can sometimes be challenging, but by following a step-by-step process using clicker training, it can become a simple task.

First, grab his favorite treat.
Click and treat to let him know you will be offering him treats
Hold the treat in your hand and not let him give it until he barks
If your dog tries to get the treat by leaning over you, do not offer him treat
Make him sit and hold the treat in your hand
To want the treat, your dog will speak. Then let him have the treat
Repeat this several times

Trick #7 – Teach Your Dog to Shake His Paws

Do we not adore it when dogs shake their paws? They appear so cute! If you desire your dog to appear cute while shaking his paws, the subsequent steps will help him learn with a clicker.

Click and give him treat so he can know what the clicker is
Click, then tickle his paw and once he moves his paw, give him treat
Repeat several times so he knows to rise is paw to get the treat
Now, take the treat in your hand, let him sniff and catch it with his paw
Once he does this, treat him well
Now bring your hand in front of him and wait until he puts his paw on your hand, once he does this, treat him.
Repeat until he becomes good enough to shake his paw when you bring forward your hand

Trick #8 – Teach Your Dog How to Spin

Making your dog spin in a circle is a straightforward process that can be achieved by following a series of steps.

Hold a treat in your hand, and move it around
When he moves, give him the treat
Now make him move in a circle, click and then treat
Repeat, click and treat
Now just do your hand movement to let him know he has to spin in a circle
Once he learns the hand movement, give him a generous treat

Trick #9 – Teach Your Dog to Give a Kiss

If you desire your dog to reciprocate your love by giving you kisses, follow the step-by-step instructions provided below.

First, take some peanut butter and put some on your finger, then click.
Let him eat the peanut butter from your finger
Now put little peanut butter on your cheeks and let him lick it from your face
Once your dog gets used to it, bring your face closer to him, without peanut butter on your face. He will know what you are asking for
Click, let him kiss you and then give him a treat

Trick #10 – Teach Your Dog to Eliminate on Command

To train your dog to eliminate on command, follow the steps provided below. This is important because we all have concerns regarding your dog’s elimination. The last thing you want is for your dog to do it on your couch, causing an unpleasant odor.

First, decide a place where you want him to poo or pee
Observe when he usually eliminates. Note the time
When he needs to go, take him to the eliminating spot you decided
Click and say Eliminate.
Once he eliminates, give him treat
Practice this daily. He will know where to and when to eliminate

Trick #11 – Teach Your Dog How to Play Dead

Playing dead with your dog is an enjoyable activity and a popular dog trick. To teach your dog how to play dead, simply follow the steps provided below.

Firstly, make him lie down
Click and use your treat to make him come in play dead position
Once he gets in play dead position, give him the treat
Repeat this, do not let him move once he comes into play dead position
Click and see does he plays dead or not. Also, use the wordplay dead over and over so he becomes familiar with the command
Practice and only give him treat once he plays dead

Trick #12 – Teach Your Dog to Ignore or Leave Something

If your dog is excessively active and easily distracted, there may be occasions when you desire him to disregard or overlook certain aspects. To teach him this behavior, please adhere to the sequential instructions provided.

Put a treat in front of him and click
When he comes to get the treat, say the command ‘leave it’ and put your hand over the treatment to stop him to get it
Wait and do not move your hand until he stops.
When he stops, let him have the treat
He will know that he will get a reward on not trying to get a thing
Repeat until you do not have to put your hand over the treat
Test him often by putting an object and saying the command “leave it:
Once he learns to ignore, treat him well.