Does Clicker Training For Dogs Work?

December 29th, 2009

Employing clicker training for dogs is one of the most effective training methods going today. It involves no pain to your animal and is a valuable training aid. It uses behavioral psychology, that is reward for good behavior. The method uses a techniques of a click from the trainer marking the good behavior for the dog and that means a treat .

MORE GREAT TIPS ONCLICKER TRAINING FOR DOGS

The clicker method when coupled with the treat for correct behavior is a humane way to train dogs and other animals.The animal is not harmed or shouted at or given pain in any way. It’s surprising how much you dog wants to please you and to do what you want. Communication is one of the main problems when dog training. The clicker method of dog training seems to clarify that for your dog.

The term used by researchers for this method of training, is ‘Operant Conditioning’. It basically means that the dog intentionally does something so as to bring about the desired ending. Dogs associate people places and objects according to a pleasure or non pleasure grading system. Its really a form of conditioning.

If the dog learns that it is rewarded for good behavior then it will repeat it. This conditioning is how the dog is trained. Classic training styles gives you an habitual behavior whilst this operant conditioning gives you a form of behvior with purpose. When the two come together you get a potent form of training.

The clicker sound is a more effective sound than the human voice for a good reason. Our voices can say the same words with different inflection and intensity. It’s difficult for a dog to always know what we mean. It comes back to communication. But with the clicker, it sounds the same every time, and the dog quickly associates it with good behavior and rewards.

MORE GREAT TIPS ONCLICKER TRAINING FOR DOGS

The Dolphin is one of the other animals that this method has been used on. I’d say that it’s pretty much impossible to force a Dolphin to do something, so methods like this have to be employed in order to train them. And it’s been very successful in doing so, and has since been used on a lot of other animals as well. From cats and leopards, to birds and rabbits, this method has seen great results.

Start the click whils the dog is actually doing the desired behavior, dont wait until he has finished. Give a click and a treat before the behavior and after the behavior is complete. You should click when your dog does something you would like him to repeat, that way you reinforce the message. The clicks should always be the same, but you can increase the treats in order to encourage enthusiasm for a specific behavior.

Using clicker training for dogs can enable you to communicate with your dog in a positive way that you weren’t able to do before. Your dog will begin to behave well as he realises thathe gets a reward. If you punish your dog for bad behavior it may work to a point but is more likely to lead to more bad behavior. The use of positive reinforcement will lead to more positive behavior.

MORE ONCLICKER TRAINING FOR DOGS

Related posts:

1. Clicker Training – For Positive Dog Training
2. Clicker Training Is A Great Technique For Training Your Dog At Home
3. Clicker Training Review`
4. How Dog Training Techniques Have Changed
5. Dog Training Behaviour