Clicker Training With Treats

Submitted by: Kimberly Case

Clicker Training with Treats: Tips for Canine Success

There truly are no bad dogs. There are dogs that have been mistreated and dogs that have been misunderstood. This is why communication with your canine is vital to ensure a long, happy relationship together. Many people try to win their pet s affection by offering toys and treats in hopes that it will somehow remedy obedience problems. The truth is this might be making the situation worse. If you are searching for an efficient, positive way to train your dog, consider clicker training with dog treats.

The Concept behind Clicker Training

Clicker training is far more effective if you understand how it works. The idea is that your dog will learn to associate a sound (the click) with a positive reward. You must move forward in baby steps, offering a click and immediate reward anytime your dog moves even an inch in the right direction. Think of it as a connect-the-dots puzzle for your dog. Each click is a dot and he connects them through movement. Once he knows where each dot is, he can connect them all without a click for each movement.

The Value of Patience

Impatience is the bane of clicker dog training. If you move too fast, your pet may not understand. You may not realize it, but you could be missing a key step in the puzzle that will completely throw your pet off. If you are having trouble, take a break and return to training refreshed. Then go back over what your pet already knows. This will encourage him through success and help you figure out where you went too fast.

The Treat in Clicker Training

Dog treats are very effective rewards when attempting to clicker train your pet. That does not mean every reward should consist of a full sized dog biscuit. You do not want your dog to expect the food treat every time he is successful. Instead, keep him guessing by combining praise with treat rewards. A significant advancement should be rewarded with the treat while each smaller success should earn praise and an affectionate pat.

Size Matters when Using Treats

In order to avoid over feeding your pet, make sure you are using small treats. Some people take a larger biscuit and cut it down into tiny, bite sized pieces. Others prefer dog treats that can be purchased in a prepackaged smaller size. No matter which you choose, avoid rewarding your pet with a treat for every click. Canine obesity can cause many other dangerous health conditions. Plus, your dog needs to eat his daily meals. He may be less enticed if he is full of treat rewards, and could end up missing out on important vitamins and minerals he needs for a long life span.

Timing the Click

Timing is everything when clicker training. You must be ready to react as soon as your pet makes one correct move. Give a quick click and immediately follow up with a treat or praise reward. By doing this, your dog can easily isolate the desired movement and put it together with the movements he already learned. If you delay the click and reward, he will become confused and communication begins to break down. This can lead to lack of motivation and frustration for both you and your pet.

Clicker training your dog can be a fun, exciting experience. He will be anxious to learn and earn his rewards and you will be amazed at his progress. Every dog has unlimited potential if he or she has a human who is willing to put in the time, effort and patience required to teach commands and positive behavior. Treats can make training even more efficient, as long as you know the proper way to incorporate them into your reward system. In time, you will learn how to communicate with your dog. This can strengthen bonds and set the stage for a healthy, happy canine-human relationship.

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