| The first major improvement in dog training since | | | | with good behavior, his reward will be a nice leisurely |
| choke chains and spiked collars, click and treat has | | | | walk. |
| quickly establishing itself in becoming a big hit in the | | | | Click and treat works the same way. When a dog |
| world of dog training. Currently, there are over | | | | hears the clicker, he will know that he performed a |
| 10,000 trainers who are using this training method | | | | good behavior and as long as he keeps hearing a |
| everyday. | | | | click, there is a treat coming his way. So, the clicker |
| One advantage to using this form of training at home | | | | works as a secondary reinforcement, teaching him |
| is it's easy to learn for both the dog and his trainer! | | | | boundaries and appropriate behavior. |
| Originally used to train marine mammals, click and | | | | A couple advantages of the click and treat method |
| treat breaks down the process into two separate | | | | include; |
| steps, information and motivation. The click is the | | | | 1) Faster response than verbal praise. The clicker can |
| information, the treat is the motivation. While other | | | | identify the exact behavior at the time it happens. |
| trainers still work on these two steps, they try to | | | | 2) It takes the place of treats. While motivating the |
| teach them all at once, which can confuse the animal | | | | dog to hear clicks, it will also teach him to work |
| and slow down results. | | | | without the expectations of having treats given to |
| Most trainers will verbally praise a dog for good | | | | him each time he does something good. |
| behavior, while at the same time motivating the dog | | | | 3) If the trainer is working at a distance from the |
| to repeat his actions. This can be a good method, | | | | dog, the clicker will still work, without having to be |
| however it takes longer for the dog to understand | | | | right next him. |
| which behaviors and actions caused the praise from | | | | Are you ready to try clicker training? |
| the trainer. | | | | The first thing you'll need to do is go to your favorite |
| With the click and treat method, the processes are | | | | pet supply store and invest in a clicker. The clicker is |
| easily taught. In normal training, a person would say | | | | nothing fancy and should just cost you under five |
| "good boy" when a welcomed action occurs and | | | | dollars. While you're there grab some pocket treats, |
| proceed with giving a treat. The clicker becomes a | | | | little bits of dried liver work well. |
| substitute for verbal praise and can actually catch the | | | | A good method to use when getting started with |
| "good boy" behavior quicker than saying it, letting the | | | | click and treat is to stand in front of the animal. Click |
| dog know exactly which behavior he is being | | | | the clicker and give a treat. Continue doing this for |
| rewarded for. | | | | 20-30 minutes, or until the dog becomes startled by |
| Another way to look at click and treat training is | | | | the sound of the click. This will familiarize him to the |
| viewing it as a secondary reinforcement, while food, | | | | clicking sound, while teaching him that every time he |
| water, physical affection and play (things the dog | | | | hears it, he has done something good. After he gets |
| wants) become primary reinforcement. When you | | | | the hang of it, begin by adding commands, such as |
| take a dog for a walk, the leash works as a | | | | "sit" and "stay." |
| secondary reinforcement. It is obvious to the dog | | | | Click and treat has proven to be a simple, yet |
| that the leash is not taking him for a walk; the owner | | | | consistent training method with quick results. So for |
| is, however, it triggers a reaction in the dog, telling | | | | the trainers out there who are looking for a new and |
| him that the leash will let him know where he will go | | | | innovative way to motivate and praise their animals, |
| and where he will not. And if he reacts to the leash | | | | get out there, buy a clicker and... click! |