Many people claim to have all of the answers about the most effective dog training techniques. Once you bring home a puppy of your own, virtually everyone you know who has a dog will offer various suggestions on how to best care for your new pet. It is very similar to what parents go through with the birth of their first child; every person they know has to give their two cents about how to get through the perils of parenthood.
For dog training, the use of the clicker has become increasingly popular in recent years. The clicker is a small box that elicits a distinct clicking sound when the user presses their thumb down on the device; the click is a signal to the dog that he is exhibiting noteworthy behavior and that you are pleased with him. The real element of using a clicker for dog training is teaching your dog what the sound actually represents.
Obviously, the first step is to buy a clicker. It might also be a good idea to get one of the many books out there about dog clicker training. Begin slowly by initiating the process with a simple command like “sit”. Attempt to get your dog to sit on his bottom, as you tell him to “sit”. You should give your dog a little treat, and press the clicker box, as soon as he has followed the command. Do this every time the dog is given a treat – click. In short time, the dog will associate being rewarded for their excellent behavior with the click.
In you follow the competitive circuit at all, you have probably noticed that many of the dogs there are trained with clickers. Whenever you watch television, keep an eye out for a person using a clicker to help these trained dogs run through courses complete with jumps and hoops. As long as the method of “command, treat, click” is strictly followed, clicker training is one of the best ways to train your dog.
Through the use of clicker training, you are in control of letting your dog know how you feel about his behavior, along with dispensing punishment and praise when it is needed. This method helps you to develop a closer relationship between you and your dog.
It is also important to note that dogs really like and react well to rewards as opposed to discipline, so remember to use the clicker as much as you can to be effective.
Roger writes articles on the latest dog life jacket models and about where to find cheap dog life jackets on the web.