There is nothing more adorable than a new puppy. Large adoring eyes, and unconditional love pave the way for a new attachment. Yet many new puppy owners quickly learn that their adorable little pets come without a whole lot of knowledge about what is expected of them. Clicker training for dogs, an easy system of positive reinforcement, can turn that clueless puppy into an obedient delight.
The clicker is a small, hand held device that literally 'clicks' when you press it. Made of lightweight plastic and metal, it is small enough to fit in a pocket or purse for easy accessibility. Some dog owners like to keep a few clickers on hand, placed strategically throughout the house, so that good behavior can be instantly rewarded with the click.
Clicker training for dogs will vary slightly from trainer to trainer but the basic premise remains the same. When your dog demonstrates a desirable behavior, you click and treat. This is a wonderful method for specific command training.
For example, if you want to teach your dog to sit you can place a small treat in your closed hand. Say, "sit." Glide your hand directly over the dog's nose and move it just beyond his head. As your hand moves back, behind his head, he will naturally sit down to stay close to the treat. As soon as his bottom hits the ground you click, praise, and give him the treat.
In no time at all, your dog will associate the click with good things. If you want to teach your dog to lie down, the technique is similar. Say, "lie down" and with treat in closed hand, place your hand on the ground in front of the dog's nose. He will naturally lie down to reach your hand. As soon as his body hits the ground, you click and treat. You will obviously be verbally praising the dog each time he does something positive as well.
There are available group and individual classes in clicker training for dogs just about everywhere. This popular method works quickly and is an effective and easy way to help get your message across. Once your dog is trained, you don't need to continue with the clicker, but some trainers recommend using the clicker to reinforce all good canine behaviors.
Therefore, in addition to teaching specific commands, clicker training for dogs can be used to let your dog know when he or she is doing something you approve of. If you see the dog quietly playing with a dog toy, you can click and treat. For this technique of clicker training for dogs, it makes sense to have a few clickers scattered throughout the house, because the click needs to be immediate. If you leave the room to find the clicker and the dog is no longer performing that good behavior, a click will be meaningless.
Clicker training for dogs is an inexpensive, easy, and quick way to get your message across to your dog. It allows for an instant understanding by the dog that he has done something good. It helps him to realize what is expected of him, and this in turn, will help him to be a happier pet. It will also help to strengthen the bond between the two of you.
You can find clickers for under two dollars, so there's no huge investment to get the benefit of this excellent training method. If you'd like to check out my top pick, "click" here now.
About the Author:
Tina Spriggs is an expert dog lover whose lifelong interest in canines provides the motivation for her site. To learn more about dogs or to find gifts and toys for them visit her site at Dog Gifts and Toys for Dog Lovers.
Copyright 2004. All rights reserved.
Many people want to make sure their family pet has... Read More
Ok, so everyone who stays on top of the show... Read More
Distemper: Spotting This Dog Killer Before it's Too LateCanine distemper... Read More
You are ready to bring your Boxer home? First, you... Read More
In most cases you should not be too concerned about... Read More
Was he the world's greatest horse trainer of all time?... Read More
On the surface playing Frisbee with your dog may seem... Read More
Sure, you may be a master of human First Aid.... Read More
In a world of computer games, the Internet and shopping... Read More
While excitement and anticipation will be at the top of... Read More
Almost without exception, breeders will advertise that their favorite terrier,... Read More
Dog day care programs benefit the dogs of owner's who... Read More
I know there are differing opinions on the subject of... Read More
Find a vet, if possible, who specializes in small animals... Read More
Dog TrainingSo, we've got a new best friend that needs... Read More
Mention the word "video" and different people would come up... Read More
Do you really get the fullest amount of enjoyment out... Read More
Guinea Pigs make great pets and are fairly easy to... Read More
If you thought dog noses were just a source of... Read More
A dog that is feeling pain can often be highly... Read More
Just like when you bring home a new baby, you... Read More
Small dog breeds are great pets, but since their personalities... Read More
Talk to the animals?Yes.And what's more, they talk to us!If... Read More
Mabeke is a young gorilla who was born in captivity... Read More
So you want to keep discus fish or are already... Read More
There are many of us who consider our pets as... Read More
Part2: Does your puppy want to be crate trained?Yes! in... Read More
Problems with Commercial Flea Killers & TraditionalFlea Bite Treatments***Chemicals that... Read More
Are you thinking about dog obedience school? Do you know... Read More
Taurine, a water-soluble amino acid, has recently become the topic... Read More
As a pet owner, no doubt you want to give... Read More
As with every training tool used to modify a behavior... Read More
Did you know that pets outnumber people in the United... Read More
Stingrays will eat a wide variety of foods. Maintaining a... Read More
What should you feed your cat to make sure he... Read More
Ringworm is an annoying, highly contagious fungal disorder that is... Read More
* Lock things up that could cause harm* Keep the... Read More
Have you ever thought about what you need to do... Read More
In the last decade or so, the popularity of sugar... Read More
Making our lives better includes protecting our families, and also... Read More
A family, including three dogs and a cat live happily... Read More
As we love to have a comfortable place to sleep... Read More
For most cat owners, training their cat to use the... Read More
Mum, dad, can we get a puppy? Its a plea... Read More
Mistake #1:"Here, Kitty Kitty..."Unless they have been educated, new horse... Read More
"Hamsters?!" I hear you say. "Who cares about some fury... Read More
Over the last 20 years, vaccinations have generally been started... Read More
To the uninitiated horse owner, there are timely facts about... Read More
Grocery Stores could use some larger Dog Food Isles. Not... Read More
In a world of computer games, the Internet and shopping... Read More
Chihuahua Training is Easy! You may be wondering if Chihuahua... Read More
Did you know that pets outnumber people in the United... Read More
There are headstrong dogs that know too well that a... Read More
This article discusses two foods in paticual. For the puppy... Read More
1) Why should I crate train my dog? ... Read More
As we find ourselves in the middle of winter, it's... Read More
Puppy TrainingPuppy training can be a trying time. The key... Read More
For most West Highland White Terrier owners, the dog is... Read More
One of the benefits of registering your pet with a... Read More
Whoever coined the phrase, "It's a Dog's Life" wasn't familiar... Read More
Nobody likes ticks.In fact, when it comes to ticks I... Read More
I've been around many people who try to lead a... Read More
Cats are known for their curious and adventurous nature. Curiosity... Read More
It is important to choose a sugar glider breeder carefully.... Read More
Nutrition and Your Dog's Behavior Proper nutrition is the fundamental... Read More
There is a dangerous problem that horse owners should be... Read More
Pet |