Clicker Training

 

Why have one to one training rather than taking part in a group class?

The biggest advantage of this type of training is that it is individually tailored to your requirements and is geared towards your own home and personal needs. You can learn at your own pace - usually a lot faster than in a busy and sometimes noisy class. Some dogs are simply not temperamentally suited to a class situation, become stressed and are unable to learn. People can be that way too! There is also the plain fact that set class times may not suit your lifestyle - one to one training is at a time to suit you.

What is clicker training?

This is the scientific, 'hands off' method used for training Dolphins, Killer Whales and many animals seen acting in films etc. It isn't possible to put a collar and lead on a Dolphin and say "Do it or else.......!" Using clicker training teaches your dog to think for himself, work out what is required and do it reliably, simply because he wants to, not because he is told "You must!" It makes learning fast and is great fun for both you and your dog. Like any other form of training it requires practice and repetition.

How does it work?

It works on the principle of "that which is rewarded tends to be repeated". The sound produced by the clicker (a tiny box like a child's toy 'cricket' that makes a double click noise) tells the dog that he just earned himself a reward. It acts as the bridge between the dog's behaviour and the reward. It isn't even neccessary to use a clicker - a verbal bridge can be used instead if preferred. The word "good" works well. There are several websites on the links page that will tell you a great deal more.

Do I have to use a clicker and food rewards for the rest of my dog's life?

No, of course not. The clicker is a training tool. Once your dog is trained it is no longer required, except to brush up on 'rusty' work. This does not mean to say that, once trained, your dog should not be rewarded for good work - he should, but the reward does not have to be food and it is is not neccessary to reward every time your dog does as you ask.

What sort of food rewards are you talking about?

You need to use something your dog sees as valuable, not something you think your dog should find valuable. Every dog is different but tiny lumps of cheese, sausage, chicken, ham or liver with garlic generally go down well. The higher the level of distraction your dog is working under, the higher the value of the treat needs to be. If your dog has the choice, for instance, of coming to you in the park or going off to play with another dog and you only have a small piece of dog biscuit, guess what your dog will choose to do?!

What can I train my dog to do using a clicker?

Your dog can be trained to do anything he is physically and mentally capable of doing. As well as the basic 'good manners' cues of sit / down / stay / loose lead walking / come etc there are many dog sports such as Agility, Flyball, Field Trials and Competition Obedience. All of these can be taught using the clicker. Service dogs (narcotics 'sniffer' dogs, hearing dogs for the deaf, support dogs for the disabled) are also taught this way in many cases these days. Don't forget the 'fun stuff' of tricks like playing dead, football and anything else you can think of!

For an initial informal chat please feel free to telephone me on:

01932 779937