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ClickersClickers are simple noisemakers. The sound creates a unique ‘marker’ that an animal can recognize. When the sound is paired with food it becomes a potent way to let the animal know it has made the correct choice.Clicker Conditioning — Before you can use a clicker to train you have to give the clicker meaning. Dogs do not find clicks inherently rewarding so they must learn to associate the click with something they do find inherently rewarding. Food is the simplest for most dogs but play can also be used. Associations are made most effectively when the sound (click) is followed by the reward (treat or play) over and over. Let your dog mill and sniff. When she isn’t focused on you CLICK and toss her a treat. Repeat until her head ‘snaps’ towards you at the sound of the click. Make sure the dog isn’t doing the same thing each time you click or the association might be with the behavior not the sound. When you have consistent head snaps you can begin clicking a particular action. Start with something small like looking at a toy you present. Don’t move, direct, push, lure or otherwise influence the desired behavior. Wait for it to happen. This is slow at first but very soon you will see why this is such a powerful tool. Make sure that every click is matched with a treat; even if you click by mistake. It is easier to get the dog back on a track than to undo an inconsistent association with the click. When you are getting a consistent response begin only clicking better responses. If your dog is looking at the toy wait for her to touch it with a nose or paw. Move the toy to different spot. If you begin to lose your dogs attention go back to the beginning and click anything even remotely like what you want. Try building it up again but make sure the dog isn’t burnt out. Try to end on a good note rather than pushing until the dog isn’t getting rewarded. This is problem solving and is very stressful work in the beginning. Your dog is giving you their all so return in kind. Set aside 10 or 15 minutes for clicker work. Unplug the phone. Don’t talk to anyone but your dog and keep that to a minimum, SHH! I’m trying to think. |