Canine Clicker Training - Why Dogs Love The Click And Treat Method
By Andrea Fraser
Have you ever dreamed of transforming your furry friend into the perfect canine companion? An obedient angel who knows a wide variety commands and listens without hesitation? As every dog owner knows, this requires training. One of the most popular methods today is clicker training, also known as the click-and-treat method. This style of training is popular with owners and dogs alike. Humans love how easy this method is to master and how quickly we see results. But what is it about clicker training that dogs love?
Clicker training uses a small mechanical device to produce a "click" sound. This sounds lets your dog know when he is doing something you like such as sitting, laying down, or any other "good dog" behavior. The "click" is quickly followed by a positive reward, typically a treat. Your dog is motivated by the reward to perform the same action again and again. Hand signals and verbal cues are then introduced. Eventually, the click-and-treat is phased out. Voil�, a command is learned!
Training is all about communication. As close as our relationship is, dog-human communication is hindered by an obvious language barrier. Clicker training helps to bridge this comprehension gap. The sound produced by a clicker is consistent, unique, precise, and quick.
The sound of the clicker is extremely easy for our dogs to interpret. Human voices vary dramatically in tone and inflection depending on our mood. Even the simple "sit" can sound like different commands if we are happy, frustrated, or frantic. The sound of the clicker, however, always remains the same.
Our dogs are masters at reading our emotions. This isn't always beneficial in training, especially if your emotions aren't positive. The sound of the clicker is emotion-neutral. A click can never sound angry, frustrated, or disappointed. Our dogs want to please us. The less negative information they receive, the more enjoyable training becomes.
Since English isn't our dogs first language, spoken words can be challenging for them to identify. For example, what if you use the word "good" as a marker instead of a click? This can get confusing for your dog when they hear you use the same word in day-to-day talk. The "click" is easy for our dogs to distinguish. The sound of the clicker is unique and not easily confused with everyday speech.
The clicker makes it easy for our dogs to know exactly which actions are being rewarded. With minimal practice, we humans can become adept at clicking the instant we see the behavior we want from our dogs. Less confusion means less stress for both human and dog.
Recent studies have also provided fascinating insight into how the clicker sound is processed in our dog's brain. Rather than passing first through the cortex, the thinking part of the brain, the "click" travels directly to the amygdala. The clicker delivers information directly, without your dog having to process human speech. The amygdala is an ancient portion of the brain with a key role in processing emotions. It's been theorized that the positive reinforcement of clicker training elicits a joy response straight from your dog's amygdala!
Clicker training helps build a training partnership between you and your dog that is respectful, enjoyable, fun, and innovative.
In clicker training, the only motivation that is offered to your dog is positive. Rather than punishing unwanted behavior, unwanted behavior is simply ignored. By avoiding the use of corrections, a relationship based on mutual respect, rather than fear, is established. Your dog will enjoy training sessions!
Clicker training allows your dog to become an active participant in the training process. There will come the moment in clicker training when your dog realizes - I am the one making the click happen. Once this occurs, training takes on an added dimension of enjoyment for your dog. He becomes mentally engaged in the process. He will begin offering you a variety of behaviors to see which ones will score him a reward.
Once your dog has made the connection between his behavior and a possible reward, clicker training can become extremely innovative. The only limits are your dog's creativity and your willingness to play along. If your dog offers you a unique or funny behavior, mark it with a click, and treat! Along with being mentally stimulating, this process also helps foster your dog's self-esteem.
It's never to late to start clicker training with your dog. This method of training is enjoyable not only for you, but for your canine companions as well. Happy Clicking!
For more on all things dog, visit Andrea Fraser's blog at www.twobully.com.
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Ways to Make Your Dog Love You
By Dr Joe Njenga
If you think that being lenient on your dog and letting him have his way will make your dog love you then think again. Connections and bonds formed by dogs go far beyond feeding and occasional petting of the dog. Love in dogs comes from an understanding that they are secure and well taken care of by their owner. A dog that is comfortable with the owner is corrected when he I wrong and has had plenty of time to build strong bond will become very attached to his owner.
Love is more than a feeling, it is the missing link in communication between you and your dog. How do you make your dog love you is the million dollar question?
- Connections start to be made when the puppy is young. This period is usually the make and break period for a relationship. Spending time with the puppy, holding him, petting him is an important step that will begin the process of establishing a link.
- Do not punish the dog, this does not mean you let the dog get away with mistakes, rather correct them but do not use physical punishment. Dogs learn faster if they understand the reason behind what you are trying to teach them. Hitting a dog because he made a mess on the floor is pointless and should be avoided.
- Even if you are busy, take a break and go spend some fun time with your dog. Play a game, run around or just walk around your block. This time is not training time though you may teach your dog a trick, it is meant
- Take authority. Dogs are pack animals that appreciate when someone takes leadership of the pack. When you are in control your dog will have someone to look up to for guidance.
- Training: This is not to make your dog love you but is part of the bond forming process. Training aims to establish a communication channel. It is easy for your dog to be please you if he know what you expect from him. Correct behaviour will result in praise and that together with a sense of accomplishment will make the dog happy that you are happy with him.
- Understand your dog, what makes him happy and what doesn't? What is the dog afraid of? Which are his favourite games? Favourite food? Which places does he like to go? Dogs in many ways are like small children, pleasing them only requires a bit of effort on your part to understand them.
- Do not neglect your dog when he needs you most, abandoning your dog when he is incapacitated by an injury or is diagnosed with a fatal disease is a very wrong move on your part. If your dog has served you well over the years and has been there for you through good and bad, doesn't he deserve the same kind of treatment?
- Lastly providing the dog with his vital needs is also a good sign to the dog, this means shelter, food and good health.
Dr Joe Njenga is a Practicing Veterinarian Who Currently works as an Online Veterinary Practitioner providing Websites with Professional Veterinary Live Support. You can Learn More about taking care of your Dog from Dog Care Tips Blog http://dogcaretip.wordpress.com/
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