Clicker Train Your Dog and You'll both be Happy

Getting Ready for Clicker Training

Clicker training is an effective, positive method of teaching your dog basic obedience, advanced obedience, and competition behaviors.  The clicker method uses the theory of operant conditioning, which involves positive reinforcement when your dog performs a desired behavior.  

You use the clicker to mark the correct behavior, so your dog knows what’s expected.  Once you mark the behavior with the clicker, you give your dog a treat right away.  You use progressive steps to train your dog using the clicker method of training.

Your Dog Offers the Desired Behavior on His Own

The crucial element of clicker training your dog is to get the desired behavior without physically pulling, pushing, or dragging the dog.  Your dog should offer the behavior on his own, learning what the desired behavior involves.  Physically forcing him to perform a behavior is a negative approach to dog training. 

An example of rewarding a desired behavior is attempting to teach, “Sit”.  When your dog sits, click and treat.  It doesn’t matter when he sits or where he sits, just click and treat whenever he sits on his own. 

Don’t give a cue for “Sit” yet but continue clicking and treating whenever he sits.  Soon, your dog will be sitting just to get the treat.  When he’s comfortable with sitting and understands why he’s getting a reward, you can add the cue, “Sit”.  It doesn’t take long for your dog to understand the cue and begin responding to the word, “Sit”. 

Click to Mark the Desired Behavior

The key to clicker training is to click at the right time.  Clicking too soon or too late only confuses your dog.  The instant your dog gives the desired behavior, click and treat.  If you give your dog a treat, even a few seconds after the behavior, it won’t be effective.  Your dog won’t associate the correct behavior with the click if the treat is too late.  It’s better not to give the treat at all if you can’t deliver it to your dog immediately. 

Reinforce Your Dog’s Behavior with High-Level Treats

All dogs are different and have different likes and dislikes.  To reinforce clicker training, choose treats that your dog loves.  Most dogs will not work just for praise or a pat on the head.  Treats are considered the primary reinforcement because almost all dogs will work for food. 

Once your dog performs the correct behavior for eighty percent of the time, you can gradually fade out the treats.  If your dog has a setback or becomes distracted by something else, add the treats back to the training.

Advancing Beyond Basic Clicker Training for Distance and Duration

Make the desired behavior harder for your dog once he knows the cue.  Extend the time he has to sit by a few seconds, gradually adding more time. 

When teaching the command, “Stay”, for instance, stand next to your dog while asking him to stay, and click for staying while you stand next to him.  Next, take a step away then come back to your dog, and click and treat him.  

Eventually, your dog will stay no matter how far away you get.  You can apply this method for any of the behaviors you want your dog to learn. It’s great for distance work, targeting, and basic commands like sit, stay and down.

Add Distractions and Continue Clicker Training

Once your dog responds to the cues and the clicker, add distractions.  Distractions are the most difficult obstacle your dog has to overcome.  Begin clicker training with distractions outside in the yard before bringing him to a busier spot. 

When your dog gives the desired behavior when a neighbor is in the yard or a child rides past on a bicycle, then it’s time to move on to harder distractions.  Bring your dog to the park or a public event.  When he gives the correct behavior, click and treat in the same way as when there were no distractions.

You should add distractions gradually, especially with reactive dogs.  If your pup has difficulty with the distractions, go back inside and continue clicker training the basics until he’s more comfortable.

Finally, Fade the Clicker

The final step in clicker training your dog is to fade the clicker.  Begin slowly, using praise as the treat after clicking.  Return to using the clicker whenever you want to teach a new behavior.  You can use clicker training to train your dog for agility, obedience competitions, therapy dogs, or service dogs.

Good luck with your clicker training! 

References:

Clicker Solutions: “Basic Clicker Training”

Clicker Lessons: “What Is Clicker Training?”

Image: Elf at the English language Wikipedia [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

Learn about the Fun, New Dog Game: Treiball

According to the North American Treibball Association, Treibball, also known as Driving Ball or Herding Ball, is a new, German dog sport that’s becoming popular around the world.  In Treibball your dog has to herd eight large balls into a soccer net, in 15 minutes.  This dog sport is great exercise for all dogs, large and small, and develops your dog’s concentration and self-reliant thinking.  Treibball is the perfect sport for herding and sporting dogs.

Getting ready for a game of Treiball

About Treibball

Treibball, developed in Germany by Jan Nijboer in 2003, became a competitive sport in Europe in 2007.  Many dog training schools in the United States are adding Treibball to their course offerings, especially in the Midwest and California. In Treibball classes, dogs learn to move large, 22 inch to 34 inch, air filled balls into a net or a pen, and the dog handlers learn how to incorporate distance work to direct the dog. 

The handler signals the dog, guiding him to go out to the balls and wait for the herding command.  The dog handler directs the dog to go right or left to begin herding the balls into the net using a series of hand signals, whistles, or verbal commands.  Treibball is very similar to herding a flock of sheep and is ideal for dogs that want to work.

Treibball Rules

The eight different colored Treibball fitness balls are arranged in a triangle similar to a game of pool, 15 feet away from the goal net.  The dog handler stands to the right of the net or pen and cannot enter the herding area that is the length of half a soccer field.  When the start whistle blows, the dog has 15 minutes to herd the balls into the net.  The dog has to push the balls into the net in a certain color order and the handler directs the dog with distance commands to the correct ball.

Yelling or pressuring the dog in any way results in a time penalty.  More advanced Treibball competitors push the balls through narrow passages and water obstacles.  Beginner handlers and dogs just need to get the colored balls into the pen.  

Treibball is not as easy as it sounds and before beginning Treibball training, your dog should know the basic obedience behaviors sit, stay, down, heel and come.  Treibball requires your dog to work off-leash, so a reliable recall is necessary.  This sample video clip shows a dog owner and her dog in Treibbal training.  The video gives an idea of what is involved in training your dog for Treibball and shows how much fun it is.

Sources that explain more about Treiball:

American Treiball Association

German Shepherd Home: Treibball/ball Herding Rules and Training

Treiball Training and Supplies

4 Easy Steps to Teach Your Dog to Fetch

Hunting dogs like golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers and setters love playing fetch, but not all dogs take to this game naturally. 

The good thing is that your dog doesn’t have to be a hunting dog to learn how to fetch.  Teaching your dog to fetch is fun and useful.  You can use fetching in many other dog activities too, such as obedience, water rescue, service dog training, fly ball and agility.  Following a few basic strategies to teach a dog to fetch will get even the most reluctant dog to learn reliable retrieving.

What You Need to Teach Your Dog to Fetch

You don’t need many supplies to teach your dog to fetch.  Small, tasty treats that your dog really likes are the most effective training aids.  Your dog will work much better for yummy treats, rather than for dry biscuits or kibble.  The better the reward, the more progress your dog will make.

Another helpful tool is a training clicker.  Clickers are sold at pet stores or dog training facilities for only a dollar or two.  They last a lifetime and are indispensable when it comes to training your dog.  Your dog learns faster and remembers more when using the ‘click and treat’ method of dog training.

Choose a fetch toy like a ball, Frisbee, pull toy, or rubber dumbbell.  Anything he can pick up easily works well as a fetch toy.

Step One

Fetching an object involves training your dog to go after the object, pick it up, bring it back to you and put it in your hand.  The main goal of teaching fetch is not for your dog to chase after the object, but to put it in your hand.  So, the first thing to train your dog is to give an object to you.

The first step is to take the fetch toy and put it into your dog’s mouth.  Don’t tell your dog to take it but quietly place it in his mouth.  Most likely, he won’t want to take the object and will spit it out.  When he spits out the object, click and treat him.  Keep repeating this behavior over and over until your dog spits out the object into your hand every time.

Add a cue when your dog is reliable with this behavior.  It can be, “give”, “thank-you” or any other word you want to use.  Practice the behavior, using the cue for a while and then begin rewarding your dog only when he puts the object in your hand when you use the cue.  Don’t reward him if he spits out the object without you asking for it.

Step Two

The next step in training fetch to your dog is to teach her to hold onto the object for an extended amount of time.  If your dog is reliable at giving you the object with the cue word, then she already knows how to hold the object. 

Another method to teach the dog to hold the object is to gently place it in the dog’s mouth and hold his mouth closed for a second.  Say your cue word, click and treat, then let go of his mouth.  Have your dog hold the object a few seconds longer each time until he is reliable with holding the object.  Eventually, add the cue, “hold”.  Keep repeating the hold behavior until your dog holds the object until you tell him to give it to you.

Step Three

Now that your dog knows how to give and how to hold, it’s time to teach him how to take.  Hold the object a few inches in front of your dog.  When he makes a move toward the object, click and treat him.  Practice this behavior repeatedly, treating your dog for touching it, or putting his head near it, touching it with his mouth and finally grabbing it.  You want your dog to reliably reach out and grab the object.  Move further away with the object and when your dog grabs it every time, add the words, “get it” or whatever other cue you prefer.

Putting It all Together

Now, it’s time to put all three behaviors together, and stop rewarding each behavior.  The only behavior that you’ll reward now is “give”.  Begin by holding out the object and say the “get it” command.  When your dog takes it, don’t treat him.  You can give verbal praise but no treats. 

The next step is to toss the toy a few inches away from you and say, “Get it,” or whatever your cue is. When your dog brings it to you, say, “Give”, then click, and treat immediately when he drops it in your hand.  Don’t make him hold it in the beginning.  You can add longer holds when your dog knows the behavior better.

Gradually begin putting the object further away from you.  Continue with clicking and treating when your dog gets the object and places it in your hand.  Within a few weeks, your dog will be running to fetch the object and racing back to give it to you.  

If you have any other tips for teaching a dog to play fetch, please add them in the comments. Anyone teaching fetch will appreciate it.

Canine Good Citizen Award Requirements

Courtesy of Jon Hurd/Laertes: Flick

What Are the 10 Tests to Earn the AKC Good Citizen Certificate

Can your dog pass the 10 tests to earn the AKC Canine Good Citizen Certificate?  

If not, you can teach your dog how to be an AKC Good Citizen in only five minutes a day.

Start working on each test with your dog for five minutes, two or three times per day and he should pass without a problem.  Good luck!

About the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program 

The American Kennel Club offers a Canine Good Citizen test that certifies all dogs as reliable and friendly pets and respected community members. Dogs must pass 10 tests to be awarded the Canine Good Citizen certificate.

According to the AKC, once dogs pass the ten Canine Good Citizen tests, they are certified as "reliable family members, as well as community members in good standing." The reasoning behind the Canine Good Citizen Test is to train dogs that are welcomed in the community, in homes, in public places, and are friendly with other dogs. Purebreds and mixed breed dogs are eligible to receive The Canine Good Citizen Award.

Training your dog for the Canine Good Citizen test helps you work with your canine buddy, bonding and having fun at the same time. Your dog can benefit from learning the 10 tests for the AKC Canine Good Citizen Award, becoming loving and friendly member of your family.

10 Canine Good Citizen Tests

1 Accept a Friendly Stranger

This test requires your dog to let a stranger come near and speak to you in a friendly way. A friendly stranger should be able to speak to the you while your dog remains calm at your side.

2 Sit Politely While Being Petted

This test requires your dog to let a friendly stranger  approach and pet him while he's with you. Your dog should remain calm, without jumping or nipping at the friendly stranger.

3 Handling and Grooming

This test requires your dog to stay calm while being groomed or handled by a veterinarian, groomer, or friends. This practical test also shows that you're a responsible dog owner, and you're aware that your dog should behave at the groomer's and vet's office.

4 Loose Leash Walking

Loose leash walking tests your control over your pet. You can walk your dog on either the left or the right side. While walking, your dog must keep the leash loose without tugging or pulling you, even with distractions.

5 Calmly Walking Through a Crowd

This test requires your dog to walk calmly through a crowd of people. Many dogs find crowds intimidating and distracting and often react either aggressively or overly excited. If your dog can walk calmly through a crowd, then he shows that he is well trained and welcomed in public places.

6 Sit and Stay

The Sit and Stay test requires your dog to sit in an area that you tell him, and stay there until you return and take him out of the stay. Your dog can either sit or lay down for this test.

7 Reliable Recall

Your dog must show that he will reliably come when you call him.

8 Calm Reaction to Other Dogs

For this test, you have to walk your dog close to other dogs and they need to act politely with each other. Your dog also has to stay by your side.  No sniffing, lunging, barking or other reactive behavior is allowed.

9 Distractions

This test presents distracting situations to your dog, for instance a person in a wheelchair rides past, someone on crutches walks by or a vacuum runs near your dog. Your dog must exhibit confidence and calm behavior in all distracting situations, showing no fear, excitement, or aggression.

10 Separation from Owner

Your dog must demonstrate that he can be left with a trusted person while you're out of sight. Usually, you give your dog to someone else and then leave the room. Your needs to stay with the other person and demonstrate good manners until your come back.

American Kennel Club
Canine Good Citizen Dept.
P.O. Box 37914
Raleigh, NC 27627-7914
(919) 816-3532
email: cgc@akc.org

Teach Your Dog to Target for Easier Loose-Leash Walking

Targeting is one of the easiest behaviors to teach your dog, and it’s adaptable to training many different dog behaviors.  Learning to train your dog loose-leash walking with a target keeps him by your side when walking through crowded areas, in a competition arena and around other dogs. The target stick gives your dog an object to focus on and ignore distractions. This helps him stay calm and relieves any excitement or stress caused by distractions.

Teaching Your Dog Targeting

Your dog needs to learn exactly what targeting is, and how to focus on an object before learning how to heel with a target stick. The easiest way to teach targeting is using your hand. Begin training by holding your hand in front of your dog and wait until he touches or sniffs it. As soon as your dog touches your hand, click and treat him from your other hand.

Targeting Hand

If you’re not using a clicker, you can use the word, “Yes” and then treat your dog. Make sure you don’t give him a treat from the targeted hand but always from the other hand. This is because he might touch your hand just because he knows it’s holding the treat. You want him to target the hand, not sniff the treat.

Keep holding your hand in front of your dog, and giving a click and treat whenever he touches your hand.  When he’s touching your hand reliably every time, start moving your hand into different places above his head, to the sides and below his face. When he’s confident touching one hand, switch to the other hand and continue with the same training. Once your dog excels at touching your hand in any position, add the cue, “Touch”.

Training Loose-Leash Walking with Targeting

Take a step away from your dog, holding your hand by your side and say, “Touch.”  Your dog will automatically step toward your hand and touch it. Click and treat your dog when he does this. Gradually add more steps until your dog targets your hand as you walk along. Use the cue “Touch” every few steps to keep him by your side.

Teaching Your Dog To Use a Target Stick

When he’s reliable walking by your side and targeting your hand, it’s time to start training him to touch a target stick. You can use anything as a target stick:

• Pointer
• Pen or pencil
• Finger 
• Ruler

Target sticks designed specifically for targeting are available at pet stores and some models fold up for easy carrying.

Targeting Stick

Once you have your target stick, start teaching your dog to touch the end of the stick with his nose. 

Putting a small Styrofoam ball onto the end of the stick helps your dog focus on the tip of the stick. Remove the ball after he learns to touch the tip of the stick confidently.

Begin training him in the same way as you taught him to touch your hand. Click when he looks at the target stick, sniffs the stick and touches the target stick. Keep the stick only a few inches away from him at the start.

When he learns to touch the tip of the stick, start moving it around in the same way as you did your hand. Keep the training session to only four or five minutes, several times a day.

The final step to train your dog to heel with a target stick is to get him walking beside you while following the stick. Take a step with the target stick at your side and tell your dog to touch the stick.

Click and treat when he goes to the stick. Continue adding steps and telling your dog to touch. Eventually, your dog will heel in whatever position you choose, whether on the right or the left.  Once he knows how to target the stick, you can train him in any obedience position,agility, freestyle handling and Canine Good Citizen training.

How to Teach Your Dog to Come When Called

It's so important to teach your dog to “come”.  It could save your dog’s life some day. I learned the hard way. My dog, Griffin, was 1 ½ years old when he was hit by a car. When I think about it, the whole series of events leading up to his tragic loss runs in slow motion in my mind.

Griffin and I were sitting in the yard with my 18-month-old son. A squirrel went darting past and Griffin took off like a rocket after him. I can still see him disappearing into the woods behind our house. This happened before leash laws and Griffin was always loose.

About two minutes later, the phone rang. It was the police telling me my dog had just been hit by a car. My neighbor took care of my son while I went to the scene of the accident. Griffin lay on the ground, bleeding from the mouth and a glazed look in his eyes. I don’t know whether he knew I was with him or not.

The person who hit him was in tears and offered to bring Griffin to the vet. I rode in the back with Griffin’s head in my lap. We arrived at the vet, but there was too much internal damage to do anything. Griffin died a few minutes after we arrived at the vet.

I only tell this story so you can see how important it is to teach your dog this command, “come”. I have a puppy now. He's 5 months old, and I work on the recall command every day.  My puppy is doing very well with returning to me when I call him, but I am going to continue training him until “come” is perfected.

I use the following recall method:

1. I tie a 50 foot length of rope onto the puppy’s collar then let him wander in the yard.

2. I say his name and then the word “come”. Then I draw the rope to me until the puppy gets back to me.

3. I have him sit and then praise him and give him a treat.
4. We do this about twenty times a day. After three days, my puppy was running back to me and I didn’t have to pull the rope.

I also use this method to train him not to leave the yard. When he reaches the boundary of the yard, he comes to the end of the rope. I call his name, and he comes back to me. He's learning quickly not to go beyond the borders of the yard. I do this in different areas of the property, so he learns the boundaries.

Check out this video for help training your dog to come. I think it's very helpful:

I hope this helps you, and that you teach your dog the “recall command”, so you don’t have to go through the tragedy that I did.

Here's a link to a Kindle book that describes the exact steps for teaching your dog to come every time. It gives more detail than I do here.

If anyone else has any tips on training a dog a reliable recall, please add them in the comments. It could save a dog's life.

Is Doggie Day Care Right for Your Pet?

Years ago dogs stayed home either tied outside, in a pen, or in the house while people were at work. The options of doggie day care, or dog walkers were not available. Pets had to stay at home, isolated and bored, waiting for their masters to come home.

Today, this has all changed. Doggie day cares have sprung up in most cities and towns. Most of these day cares are operated by people who really care about animals, but there are always a few bad apples.

I visited a combination doggie day care/pet shop in my area and was saddened by what I saw. The day care room had no toys, mats, or even blankets for the dogs. Each dog was tied with a leash to a different section of the room. There was no interaction of any kind between the dogs, or with people. They lay on the concrete floor, looking bored and lonely.

I'm sure this is not what the owners of these poor dogs had in mind when they brought them to day care. What would be the point?

If you are considering doggie day care, make sure you research the facility and the programs offered. The last thing you want is to enroll your dog in doggie day care and find he/she is more miserable than when he was home alone.

What to look for in a doggie day care:

• Both indoor and outdoor play
• Socialization – play time among the dogs and interaction with people
• Exercise – a regular exercise routine with real people (not tied to a treadmill for 20 minutes
• Ask if there are certified dog trainers on the staff to deal with any aggressive behavior.
• Is the staff certified in Red Cross pet first aid and CPR?
• Does the facility offer obedience training programs? These can be a lifesaver for hard working pet owners who find it hard to spend time training their dogs.
• Check the sleeping areas. Does each dog have its own personal resting space?
• Are staff members available and supervising the dogs at all times?

These are just a few of the many questions to ask when looking for a doggie day care. Your pet's care is the most important thing to consider. A friendly, stimulating environment is what every dog needs to have a happy, fun-filled day while you are off working to earn money for those expensive vet bills, dog toys, and pet food.