This brief article is an introduction to Clicker Training for Puppies and Dogs. Clicker Training is an effective and pet-friendly method of dog training that anyone can learn and use straight away to teach tricks and solve common behavior problems.
What is a "Clicker"?
A Clicker is a small noise-maker which makes a clicking sound. The click itself is brief, clearly audible and consistent.
What is the point of using a Clicker?
If we wish to reward a dog for behavior that we want more of, we need to be able to say to the dog "Yes! That is exactly what I am rewarding!" For many behaviors, we can simply say "Yes!" or "Good!" and follow up with the reward (usually food)
The clicker, or verbal marker, is known as a "Bridging Stimulus" because it bridges the gap between behavior and reward.
If you are trying to teach your dog to push a button with his paw, for example, then you need to be able to reward that exact behavior. This is where the clicker comes in, you can click the clicker precisely as the paw hits the button - effectively saying "That is exactly what I want you to do" - then give the reward.
How Do Clicker Trainers Stop Unwanted Behavior?