Clicker Training -1) The Clicker

This first step is essential - don't skip it!
With this method we are going to be "shaping behaviors". You need a way to signal to the dog that he has just performed whatever behavior it is that you were trying to get. Initially he will also get a treat for each correct response but since that takes a few seconds (at least) to happen, the clicker marks the exact moment of response, essentially "bridging" the time between response & reward. This is classical conditioning, like Pavlov & his drooling dogs. You are going to take a clicker & pair it with a food reward until the click itself gets the dog all happy.

So.. get yourself some clickers - little toy-like devices that make a fun click sound. I have found that they get the dog more interested, and once the dog catches on to this type of training the presence of a clicker will be enough to get him excited & in "training mode". If you prefer (or while you are waiting for your clicker to arrive),
choose a "bridge word" instead. I suggest "Yes!!" - it is short & happy! Say it briskly, in a rather high pitched, & very excited voice. I will be using the term C&T in the lessons, meaning to click & give a treat. If you are using a bridge word, just say it & give a treat whenever I have written C&T. You won't be clicking forever... they are only used in the training phase of any new behavior!

Okay, go in a quiet room with your dog & have a bowl of really tasty treats. Human type food such as hot dogs, chicken, roast beef, etc. works really well, so do high quality (all natural) dog treats such as the Oinker Roll. The treats should be cut up into very small pieces & be soft (crunchy ones take too long to eat).

Now, as long as your dog isn't doing anything naughty at the moment, click your clicker (or say your bridge word) and toss him a treat. Then say it again & again toss or give a treat. We are NOT asking for a behavior (such as sit) here at all... just making the connection needed for the clicker to be effective. (A few dogs are frightened by the click sound. If your dog is, then try muffling the sound by having it in a pocket. The fear shouldn't last long! )

Repeat 10-12 times. You'll know when you can stop - you'll click & your dog will immediately look up at you, "There is that sound, so where is my treat?".

I'll give you a few minutes to go do this...

There! Wasn't that fun? Excellent job, trainers!

AN IMPORTANT NOTE! To really succeed with this method of training, it is essential that the bridge, whether it be a clicker or a word, ALWAYS be followed by a terrific reinforcement. It is usually referred to as click and treat for a reason. That is one danger of using the bridge word.... I found that I said "Yes" to my dog at times when I wasn't necessarily training & didn't follow through with a treat (or something equally rewarding for her).

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continue on to clicker training 2 - "Sit & Down!"