Dog Walking - Clicker Training - Obedience
I have helped train a number of owners and their dogs using the "clicker" method. Below is a
brief description on how the system works. If you would like more information about this method, or
would like to discuss booking a session with me.
A clicker is any device that makes a clicking sound, when deliberately activated by its user.
Clickers were first used by marine mammal trainer Karen Pryor as a way of communicating with her animals. Dolphins and whales communicate underwater through a series of 'clicks' and 'whistles' known as echolocation. The clicker allowed the trainer to produce signals the mammals were more likely to understand.
Nowadays, clickers are used to train all kinds of animals, most commonly dogs.
Clicker training is a positive reward based training method which will encourage your dog to actually think for itself. It will allow you to reward the dog precisely for the correct behaviour allowing you to shape and extend behaviour and ignore or help extinguish unwanted behaviour.
The small box shaped clicker will act as a 'camera', when you see the correct behaviour desired you may simply click taking a 'snapshot' of correct behaviour and then treat using very small high value food (hot dogs/cheese/chicken).
The clicker allows more than one trainer to use it as it is not voice or gender specific however timing and consistency is everything in this training. You should only concentrate on one task/position/command at a time i.e. the sit until the dog shows that it fully understands and completes the task only then should you move on to other tricks.
Obedience training doesn't solve all behaviour problems, but it is the foundation. Training
opens up a line of communication between you and your dog. Effective communication is necessary to
instruct your dog. During my years training guide dogs and peoples household pets. I have learn't
many techniques to help you communicate with your dog more effectively.
Dogs are social animals but without proper training, they will behave like animals. They will soil your house, destroy your belongings, bark excessively, dig holes in the garden, fight other dogs and may even bite you.
Nearly all behaviour problems are perfectly normal canine activities that occur at the wrong time or place and can be directed at the wrong thing. For example, the dog will soil the carpet instead of going outside, the dog will bark all night long instead of when someone is at the door or the dog will chew furniture instead of his own toys.
The key to preventing or treating behaviour problems is learning to teach the dog and to redirect his natural behaviour to outlets that are acceptable in your domestic setting.
Obedience training should be fun and rewarding for you and your dog. It can enrich your relationship and make living together more enjoyable.
A well-trained dog is more confident and can more safely be allowed a greater amount of freedom than an untrained one.
Picture of clickers
Picture of training
Picture of obedience training