Before we enrolled our puppy in training classes months ago, I had never heard of "clicker training for dogs" in my entire life. But ever since her first class, clicker training has become part of our daily routine.
(And spoiler alert: There's no way she'd be this well-trained without that dang clicker.)
In this post, I'm sharing with you what clicker training for dogs is; how to master it in minutes; and giving some pro tips along the way. So if you've ever wondered how to go about clicker training a dog yourself, keep on reading. And by the time you're done, you'll be ready to clicker train all the dogs in your vicinity.
What is clicker training for dogs?
Clicker training for dogs is a method of positive reinforcement training, where owners "mark" positive behavior with a clicker. In essence, when a dog does something correct, you click the clicker to mark that behavior. When a dog does something incorrect, however, you do no nothing.
The goal is for your dog to attribute the clicking noise to "good" behavior.
But how do you go about teaching your dog that a click is a good thing? That's the essential question – which I answer below. 😉
ADVERTISEMENT
Three steps to clicker train your dog (in minutes!)
To clicker train your dogs, there are just three simple steps to follow – and in minutes, your dog will be clicker-ready.
And no, that wasn't a typo. You can clicker train your dog in minutes. It's really that easy.
So what's the secret? Let's jump into it.
Step 1. Acquire a clicker and treats.
This seems like a "duh" (because it is). But to clicker train your dog, you'll need some kind of clicker to "mark" the positive behavior.
If you're in need of a clicker, I've also got some good news. There are dozens (probably hundreds) of clickers on Amazon. But here's the clicker we use – and yes, it really is $3.99.
Similarly, there are so many treats to choose from, both online and in-store. But when it comes to training, we use Zuke's Training Treats. Our dog goes coo-coo for the Peanut Butter and Oats flavor, specifically.
💡 Tip: No clicker? No problem. If you don't have a clicker handy, the App Store is full of dog clickers apps. While I think it's easier to use a real clicker rather than a digital one (since you can slip a physical clicker on your wrist and carry it around with you), I've used this app in a pinch, and it worked just fine.
Step 2. Say "yes" and hand your dog a treat. When the dog takes the treat, mark with the clicker.
Simply hand your dog a treat, and when they take it, click the clicker.
Yep, it's that easy.
3. Repeat over and over and over and over again.
By repeating the previous step ad nauseam, your dog will come to learn that when they hear a click, they will earn a reward. I definitely think it's easiest to start with some tasty treats, but you can also reward your dog with pets, scratches, belly rubs, play time, toys, etc. Really, you can reward with anything that makes your dog happy.
ADVERTISEMENT
But wait... How will I know when I'm done clicker training my dog?
Great question. Important question. Easy answer.
You'll know your dog is clicker trained once they become attentive as soon as they see the clicker. For our dog, it only took about five or so treats-then-clicks. From that point onward, she's become pretty attentive any time she sees me wrap the clicker around my wrist. However, for the clicker to consistently work, you'll need to consistently use it.
💡 Tip: At the beginning of each daily training sesh, I like to do just five or so "warm up" clicks. Just a few "yes"es followed by treats and clicks. It keeps the clicker's purpose fresh in our dog's mind – plus, it makes her excited for training time since she knows more treats are coming.
I think I'm done clicker training my dog. Now what?
Has your dog figured it out? Great – now's the fun part!
Once your dog knows the clicking sound means treats are coming, you can start using the clicker to mark other positive behavior. (As in, one's the dog has to actually work for. Not just sitting and looking cute while you say "Yes" and hand them treats. 😄)
P.S. If you found this post helpful and want more dog training tips and tricks just like this one, go ahead and follow me on social media (Instagram, Facebook) and/or click that subscribe button. That way, you'll be notified each and every time I post something new!