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.
Purebred dogs of all breeds can be found in shelters,... Read More
Westie Grooming ? When your west highland white terrier becomes... Read More
You may have heard that pets have been scientifically proven... Read More
Buying a pet bird can be quite an investment. After... Read More
Guide for training a dogSo you can use a guide... Read More
Has your pet recently been coughing, eating less, or being... Read More
Are you thinking about getting some discus then and want... Read More
Training Tips for a Happy and Healthy Relationship with Your... Read More
Dogs, especially young dogs are very playful by nature.Play provides... Read More
My dog has fleas. That one statement is enough to... Read More
Imagine that you are scolding your cat for scratching at... Read More
Many people ask the question: "Should we get a purebreed... Read More
IntroductionA long time ago, before evolution turned the primate into... Read More
My two therapy dogs, Nikki and Benny, bring joy to... Read More
Once though of as a mere harmless but annoying pest,... Read More
So what does it mean to float a horse's teeth?... Read More
Natural preventative pet care isn't a new thing but it... Read More
Dog eye problems can occur at any time. You should... Read More
Oscar is kind of a funny name and it fit... Read More
As many of you know America is serious about our... Read More
When you get a new puppy it is imperative that... Read More
Brings live to your community tanksMany freshwater fish-keepers have a... Read More
So you want to keep discus fish or are already... Read More
We've recently moved into a new apartment complex that really... Read More
Pet friendly vacations and travel planning make sense -- after... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..As I listen on my long drive to my grandpa's... Read More
The main ways a puppy will play with another dog... Read More
First pet stores began selling clothes for pets. Then kennels... Read More
Your mind-set, approach and way of thinking (beliefs) are critical... Read More
Let's face it ? everything is cute when it's small... Read More
Witnessing your precious dog or cat having a seizure can... Read More
The greatest fear of most pet owners is that there... Read More
Dog obedience training starts even before you get your puppy... Read More
Whether you're a new dog owner or have had dogs... Read More
The benefits of feeding live food to fish in a... Read More
As our horses enjoy a longer life and many live... Read More
Dog crate training is one of the most effective ways... Read More
"Your cat has feline diabetes." If this is your vet's... Read More
When you take into account that there are over 68,000,000... Read More
Humming birds are wonderful birds that are smart, playful, and... Read More
Keeping your dog safe is similar to keeping a child... Read More
The most common dog problems:Dog Owner's commonly ask me the... Read More
Throughout the course of my life, I've encountered my own... Read More
Dogs should be living to age 20 or more. That's... Read More
Contributed with the help of Karen L Overall of the... Read More
Animal lovers come in all shapes and sizes. Undoubtedly if... Read More
Canine Diabetes: A Serious Dog Disease That is Completely ManageableCanine... Read More
Keeping fish as pets takes more than just feeding them... Read More
Part1: There is Actually a "Wrong" Way to Crate TrainCrate... Read More
Of the thirty-three terrier breeds (most of which were first... Read More
Pet |