ukpets logo
Pet Classifieds Pet Classifieds
  • For Sale
  • For Adoption
  • For Stud
  • Wanted
Post An Ad
Pet Care Blog
  • All Pet Care
  • Training Tips
  • Health / Grooming
  • General Advice
  • Interesting Articles
Tools Tools
  • Dogs
  • All Dog Breeds
  • Breed Finder Quiz
  • Compare Dog Breeds
  • Cats
  • All Cat Breeds
  • Breed Finder Quiz
  • Compare Cat Breeds
Account Account
Register
Sign In
Connect With Us:
  • Classifieds
  • Blog
Advanced Search Post an Ad
£0£2000+

Clicker Training: 4 Secrets to Teaching Your Dog New Behaviours

Share this: Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Email

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Why use a clicker to train your dog? Compared to marker words, clicks have a distinctive sound that cannot be easily recreated. The sound is also neutral, allowing a consistent tone that prevents confusion in pets. With marker words, there is always the possibility of adding emotional colour to the words uttered.

Clicker Training

Clicker training is easy and similar to teaching dogs new skills using marker words. You can use it on puppies as young as eight weeks old (you can find some of them here). You may even be able to teach your pet basic commands within a day. However, the association and timing of the click are crucial aspects that pet owners must learn to get used to. In this dog clicker training guide, we will discuss how you can effectively familiarise yourself with the clicker. Then we will explain the basic steps in training your dog using this tool.

RELATED: Essential Tools and Gadgets for Dog Training

Trivia: Psychologist and founder of behaviourism, B. F. Skinner, used a clicking sound in training pigeons. He thought clicks are heard more easily and are more precise.

Preparing to Train Your Pet with a Clicker

A clicker should never be used like a remote control or a reward. A clicker tells your dog that his reward is coming and ‘marks’ the exact action that earned it. It bridges the association between the desired behaviour and the reward.

Before you even use the clicker on your pooch, practise with it first. For example, choose a specific word and then click on it every time it is uttered by someone on the radio or TV show. When you feel confident with your timing, you can now ‘charge’ it with your pet. You must have small treats on hand, ideally in a hip pouch.

‘Charging’ the clicker teaches your dog that the clicks mean something wonderful—a reward. Here are the steps:

  1. Click, and when he looks at you or in your direction, give the treat immediately. You can also toss it on the floor. Repeat.
  2. Keep clicking and giving the treat a couple of times. Change direction or position whilst doing so. This teaches him that no matter where the click is, a reward always follows something specific that he did.
  3. If your pet tries to get at your pouch or hand before you click, let him smell the treat. Keep your hand or pouch closed. When he calms down, click and then toss the treat again.

Click only once before handing the treat. If your dog finds the sound startling, soften it by wrapping the device with a cloth. You can also hold it behind you or use a click pen. Once he is used to the sound, hold the clicker on your side. Never hold it in front of you or point it at your furry friend.

Tip: It takes just 1.5 seconds for dogs to link a cause and effect. As such, you must give the treat immediately after the click. The click must always come before the treat, not the other way around.

Steps to Dog Clicker Training

steps to dog clicker training

Make sure your training area is quiet and free from distractions. The following are the basic steps:

  1. Decide which command you want to focus on teaching your pooch. You can teach him to sit, stand, lie down, potty, and other basic commands.
  2. Catch your dog in the act of doing the desired behaviour. The moment your furry friend does the exact behaviour you are aiming for, click and reward him. For example, if you want to teach him to sit, click when he sits, even if he does so by accident. Toss him a treat immediately. If he stands up to eat it, wait for him to sit again before you click and toss another treat. Do not lead him or push him into the action as he will be confused. Wait for him to repeat the behaviour before clicking and rewarding.
  3. Shape a new behaviour into your pet. Clicker training also reinforces the actions that are part of the desired behaviour until your pet finally performs it precisely. If you want him to lie down in his doggy bed, for example, click and reward when he turns into the direction of the bed. Every time he looks toward his bed, click and reward him. When he steps toward the area, click again and toss a treat. When he stands near the bed, click and reward him. Continue clicking and rewarding until he finally lies on the bed.
Tip: You can use a verbal cue with the clicks. Whenever your dog does the desired behaviour, say the cue word, click, and reward him. Once he understands the cue, repeat the cue word. When he performs the desired action, click and then give a treat.

Final Points on Clicker Training

You must keep the clicker charged. This means that even if you clicked it by accident, you should give your dog a reward. Later, you can exchange the treats with praise or a toy. Also, never use the clicker to correct bad behaviour. This tool is meant to reinforce desired behaviour.


Did our dog clicker training tips help you gain confidence in teaching your dog? Check out more pet behaviour posts to learn more!

FREE E-BOOK

home-remedies-for-dog-health-issues
Get your FREE e-book on

Home Remedies for Most Common Dog Healthcare Issues

when you subscribe to your weekly dose of pet-infused newsletters

Packed with solutions and ideas for treating
common health issues for your dog at home.

Share this: Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Email

Hannah Mitchell

Related Stories

Dog Whistle Training Guide
Dog Whistle Training Guide
An Introduction to Canine Flyball
An Introduction to Canine Flyball
9 Questions You Want to Ask Before Getting a Dog Behaviourist
9 Questions You Want to Ask Before Getting a Dog Behaviourist
Latest Stories
  • Boston Terrier vs Pug: Which Breed Is Better for You?
  • Sings and Causes of Abnormal Dog Behaviour
  • Psychic Cat Comforts Over 100 Grieving Families
  • Weimaraner vs Vizsla: Differences and Similarities
  • Are Boston Terrier Good Pets?
  • Awful Dog Odour: Reasons Why Your Dog Smells and Ways to Prevent It
  • Japanese Cat Temple Café Hires Cat Priests
  • Featured Story

    Boston Terrier vs Pug: Which Breed Is Better for You?
    Boston Terrier vs Pug: Which Breed Is Better for You?

    Boston Terrier vs Pug—both flat-faced and bulky-bodied breeds may seem like brothers along with their other lookalike, the French Bulldog. But … [Read More...]

    Latest Pets for Sale
    3
    Rottweiler For Sale
    Male and female Rottweiler puppies for sale

    Stourport-on-Severn

    2,000

    3
    Akita
    Stunning American Akita puppies for sale

    London

    1,700

    2
    English Lop Online Listings
    Two rabbits to be rehomed together

    Warwick

    80

    2
    Cockatiel Online Ad
    Super tame, hand reared baby cockatiels

    Redruth

    100

    View All
    Post Pet Advertisements
    For Free!
    Sign Up Now
    UK Pets Tools Dogs
    • Dog Breed Selector Quiz
    • Dog Breeds (A-Z)
    • Dog Breed Groups
    • Compare Dog Breeds
    • Dog Names
    Cats
    • Cat Breed Selector Quiz
    • Cat Breeds (A-Z)
    • Compare Cat Breeds
    • Cat Names
       Services
    •    Pet Sitters
    •    Pet Transport
    •    Pet portraits
    •    Pet Cremation
    •    Dog Walker
    •    Dog Training
    •    Dog Grooming
    •    Dog Photography
    •    Dog Kennels
    •    Hydrotherapy For Dogs
    •    Catteries
    Dogs & Puppies for Sale
    • Mixed Breed Dogs & Puppies for Sale
    • French Bulldogs for Sale
    • Cockapoos for Sale
    • Cocker Spaniels for Sale
    • Labrador Retrievers for Sale
    • Chihuahuas for Sale
    Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • Mixed Breed Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • British Shorthair Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • Bengal Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • Sphynx Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • Ragdoll Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • Persian Cats & Kittens for Sale
    Other Pets for Sale
    • Birds for Sale
    • Rabbits for Sale
    ukpets logo
    • About Us
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy & Cookie Usage
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Pet Insurance
    • Post Free Pet Ads
    Copyright © 2021 UKPets. All rights reserved.