Company of Animals

Dog Clicker Training

dog clicker training

We all know by now that positive reinforcement training is about immediacy, consistency, and reward. Dog clicker training can help you mark a specific dog behaviour instantly and deliver the reward accordingly.

Rather than focusing on what your dog may be doing wrong and perhaps taking good behaviour for granted, clicker training helps you, the owner, to focus on what your dog is doing right.

By encouraging the good stuff rather than telling your dog what not to do, you can have an amazing effect on how your dog chooses to behave.

What is clicker training?

Clicker training is a popular and effective method of positive reinforcement training for animals, primarily used in dog training but also applicable to other animals such as horses, cats, and even dolphins. The core idea behind clicker training is to use a small handheld device called a “clicker” to mark and reinforce desirable behaviours in animals.

How to clicker train a dog

Initially, the trainer introduces the clicker to the animal and associates the clicking sound with a reward (usually food). This is done by clicking the device and immediately giving the animal a treat. The animal learns that the click sound predicts a positive outcome.

Once the animal understands the clicker-reward association, the trainer can begin to shape desired behaviors. When the animal performs a behavior that the trainer wants to reinforce, such as sitting or staying, the trainer clicks the clicker at the exact moment the behaviour occurs. This “marks” the behaviour, indicating to the animal that it has done something right.

Following the click, the trainer provides a reward (such as a treat or praise) to the animal. This reinforces the connection between the click, the behaviour, and the positive outcome.

The key to clicker training’s success lies in precise timing. The clicker allows for immediate feedback, helping the animal understand exactly which behaviour is being rewarded. This precision makes it easier for the animal to learn and repeat the desired behaviours.

The process is repeated consistently, reinforcing the desired behaviours over time. As the animal learns, more complex behaviours can be trained by breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps.

Once the animal has learned a behavior reliably, the clicker can gradually be phased out. The animal should continue to perform the behaviour without the need for the clicker, although occasional reinforcement with treats is often recommended to maintain the behaviour.

Clicker training is considered a humane and effective way to train animals because it relies on positive reinforcement and clear communication. It encourages the animal to actively participate in the learning process and fosters a strong bond between the animal and the trainer. Clicker training is widely used in dog training, particularly for obedience training, trick training, and behaviour modification, but its principles can be applied to various other animals as well. We recommend using a Whizzclick dog clicker or Multiclicker from the Coachi range.

Fiona Whelan ~ Pet Behaviourist

Fiona has been working at the Training and Behaviour Centre as a behaviour specialist since 2002, and previously ran her own training and behaviour establishment in Lincolnshire for seven years so has a wealth of experience as a behaviour counsellor.