At Buchele’s K-9 Service, LLC, our primary and preferred method of dog training is Positive Reinforcement Clicker Training. There are different variations and options to positive reinforcement clicker training; we choose to use clickers to tell our dogs when they have done something we like and that a reinforcement is coming.
What are Clickers?
•
a marker for behaviors we want to reinforce
•one click = one reinforcement
•need to be “warmed up” or “conditioned” so the dog knows what it means
•require some practice to use most effectively, but once you get it, it sticks with you (like riding a bike!)
•are not remote controls!
Clicking should ALWAYS follow a desired behavior. It should not be used to get the dog to do something. Using a clicker or marker in that way will quickly eliminate its usefulness.
Clickers are always markers, but not all markers are clickers! Some trainers use words, visual signals, whistles, finger snapping, etc. as their markers. Clickers are easy, distinct, unemotional, and universal.
What is Positive Reinforcement Clicker Dog Training?
What Positive Reinforcement Clicker Training is:
•both dog and people friendly
•reinforces behaviors we want to see our dogs repeat
•uses high value rewards (in the dog’s opinion) to reinforce behaviors
•a lifestyle
•based on scientific research and canine learning theory
•a method by which we teach our dogs “English as a Second Language”
•it is, by its very nature, a bonding process for you and your dog
•pain free
•used by animal trainers all over the world
•works!
What it is not:
•it is not an automatic fix, a magic wand or a secret potion
•it is not permissive
•it is not physical punishment
•it does not mean that you will always carry a clicker and treats for the rest of your dog’s life
What is Reinforcement?
•given to a dog to increase the chance of a particular marked behavior to occur again
•the presentation of a desired item (food, play, etc.) or the removal of a desired item (handler goes away, freedom is taken away, etc.)
•even if you are not consciously reinforcing a behavior, there is a very good chance you are unconsciously reinforcing a behavior (pushing your jumping dog away, stopping what you are doing to play with your dog when he drops a toy into your lap, etc.)
•can also take the form of SELF-reinforcement (counter surfing, pulling on the leash, etc.)
•situational and environmental – what works in one situation or environment may or may not work in another
All rewards are reinforcement, but not all reinforcement comes in the form of a reward. Keep in mind reinforcement and rewards only work if they are perceived by the dog to be reinforcing or rewarding!
If you are interested in knowing more about positive reinforcement clicker training, please contact us. All of our classes (including AKC S*T*A*R Puppy and Family Dog) use positive reinforcement clicker training and we offer Continuing Education classes using clickers to train "Tricks" and also a foundational "Fun with Clickers."
