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 here.
Copyright 2004. All rights reserved.
Toy dog breeds include greyhounds, terriers, pinschers, pugs, chihuahuas, pekingese,... Read More
Much has been written about the Discus, or Symphysodon aequifasciatus,... Read More
Buying dog doors onlineIf you need to buy a dog... Read More
When selecting the best dry food for your dog, why... Read More
Nearly every puppy in the world is born with roundworms.... Read More
For the first 8,000 years of their relationship with humans,... Read More
Aren't they cute? Yes, they are! A nest of meowing... Read More
Poor Dog. Subjected to my most ambitious experiments, she still... Read More
What kind of materials should you use when constructing a... Read More
On the surface playing Frisbee with your dog may seem... Read More
The 6 Keys To Building A Life Long Partnership With... Read More
Preparing yourself and your household before, during, and after your... Read More
Is A Boxer Right For You?Country of Origin: Germany ... Read More
As overwhelming as picking out a pet bird can be,... Read More
You know that cats should always have a supply of... Read More
Yesterday we talked a little about the 6 Keys for... Read More
It's important to understand your dog's sleeping habits and how... Read More
A New Understanding of AllergiesAllergies of all kinds seem to... Read More
If you are seriously considering keeping fish as pets or... Read More
Training your dog can be time consuming and frustrating at... Read More
Cockatiels are one of the most lovable pets in the... Read More
What should you feed your cat to make sure he... Read More
One we must regrettably share with our children for they... Read More
Dogs and children are a perfect fit. They are what... Read More
Bringing home a Pug can change our life, but it... Read More
house cleaning company Lincolnshire ..If you have a dog or cat that is an... Read More
Allergies to dogs can strike anyone at any age, yet... Read More
Dog arthritis is one of the most common diseases that... Read More
Clone a Cat, Go To Jail ...or at least... Read More
Occasionally watching Animal Planet does have its advantage. You can... Read More
This has been one of the most rewarding adventures I... Read More
Our dogs are now, more than ever, a very important... Read More
Some sources seem to indicate that living with a serval... Read More
Losing a family pet can be a traumatic experience, especially... Read More
Grooming means taking care of the physical maintenance of the... Read More
When we talk about hypoallergenic dogs, we mean that they... Read More
When you get a puppy, one of the first things... Read More
Stroking your cat can be good for your health! It... Read More
Sometimes puppies are born that can't suckle properly, and it's... Read More
Every year, many cat owners decide to get their cat... Read More
If you are having behavioral issues with your dog that... Read More
Because your dog lives with humans, he's going to have... Read More
An easier and more pleasant journey with your chosen Boxer... Read More
1. What is heat?Heat is more properly called the estrous... Read More
If the "tweet, tweet" of little beaks is in your... Read More
Ever had a hankering for a certain breed of dog?... Read More
As a business, I've not been in the holistic pet... Read More
Get to know your beloved dog better with these insightful... Read More
Pet friendly vacations and travel planning make sense -- after... Read More
Parasites are organisms that survive by feeding off of other... Read More
Pet |