Angelcare
Proudly Presents
15 Tips for Getting
Started with the Clicker
1.)
Push and release the spring end of the
clicker to make a two-toned click. Reward immediately.
Keep the treats small, very tasty and easily swallowed whole, as you want to be
able to keep moving in your training. To "load" the clicker, do this in every
room of your house 2-3 times so that your pet quickly learns click means something
good is coming.
2.)
Click DURING the desired behavior, not
after. Timing of the click is crucial. And don't be dismayed if your pet stops
the behavior when he hears the click. The click is ENDING the behavior and allows
your pet to get his treat.
3.)
Click when your
pet does something you like. If he sits on his own and is just watching something,
click. Running toward you, click. A lot of natural behaviors can be reinforced
with clicking. "Capture the Kodak Moment."
4.)
Only click once. If you want to express
enthusiasm at a good deed, increase your number of treats (the jackpot!) not the
number of clicks. Remember, clicking ENDS the exercise, and should be rewarded
immediately when first starting.
5.)
Keep your training sessions short when
first starting. Much more is learned and remembered in three short 5-minute sessions
than in one long hour of boring repetition.
6.)
Fix bad behavior by clicking good behavior.
Click when your puppy goes potty in the desired area. (Go Potty command) Click
for all four paws on the ground. (Off, Say Hi) Click when your puppy has a slack
leash and is walking with you. (Walk-Nice)
7.)
Click for voluntary (or even accidental)
movements towards your goal. You can coax or lure the animal into the desired
position, but don't push or pull. Let your pet discover the behavior on its own.
8.)
Don't wait for the "whole picture" or
the perfect behavior, click when your pet comes close! Your pet takes 2 steps
in your direction? Click! Your pet drops to his elbows and bows? Click!
9.)
Keep raising your goals. As soon as you
have a good response, start asking for a little more. Wait a few beats, until
the dog stays lying a little longer, or sits a little longer, and then Click.
10.
When your animal has learned to do something
for clicks, he will begin to show you behavior spontaneously, TRYING to get you
to click! Now is the time to start offering a cue: Sit, Down, Off, Bow, etc
11.
Don't order the animal around because
clicker training is NOT Command Based! If you pet does NOT respond to a cue, he
has NOT learned the cue yet. Find more ways to cue your pet and click the desired
behavior. Work in a quiet place if necessary, and if you have more than one pet
train them separately.
12.
Carry a clicker with you and catch cute
behaviors! Lifting one paw, cocking the head, chasing the
tail. You can click for many different behaviors, whenever you happen to
notice them, without confusing your pet. The retractable ones that we offer are
nice...they retract to keep out of your way, and can be attached to any convenient
spot.
13.
If for any reason you are getting frustrated,
put the clicker away. Don't mix any kind of scolding, leash jerking, or correctional
training with initial clicker training; you will quickly lose the animal's confidence
as well as yours.
14.
If you are not making any progress with
a particular behavior, you are probably clicking too late. Accurate timing is
important. Get someone else who knows what you are trying to accomplish to watch
you, and perhaps even click a few times for you.
15.)
Above all, Have
Fun! Clicker training is a wonderful way to enrich your relationship with any
animal.
Because Training Brings Rewards That Will Last
A Lifetime...
Angelcare
K-9 Academy
262-886-8728