Clicker Tips

What’s the point of this extra gadget, anyway?  Is it just a gimmick?

Clicker training uses an impartial “marker” to indicate a correct behavior to the dog for instant and meaningful feedback.  Done properly, it can speed your training hugely! Here are some basic guidelines to keep in mind for successful clicker training:

•    A click is ALWAYS followed by a reinforcer (reward).  It doesn't matter what type of reinforcer is given, so long as the dog is delighted to receive it!  In order to remain effective, EVERY click (even mis-clicks) will be followed by a reinforcer.
•    Keep your rate of training opportunities high.  Ideally, your reward of choice will be something your dog might enjoy for just a second or so before moving on to the next behavior. For example, it would be impractical to reward your dog with a large chew bone after each successful sit.  Bite-sized treats, quick games of tug, or tossed toys are examples of acceptable reinforcers; find something that thrills your dog!
•    Mark behavior as it happens.  For example, if you were to ask your dog to “sit,” the moment his hips contract or his rear first touches the floor should be marked with the clicker.  The reinforcer can follow immediately.
•    Click ONCE for every successful behavior.  Some people get excited and click repeatedly for one behavior; this can be very confusing for the dog.
•    What you click is what you get!  If you click your dog for barking at squirrels or passers-by, perhaps thinking to distract him, you just encouraged him to perform that behavior again.  Likewise, if you click accidentally as he jumps up on you, you’ve rewarded an improper behavior.  You can fix this by conscientiously clicking for correct greetings!
•    Use your clicker only to mark and reinforce desired behavior, never to get your errant dog's attention.  Many people improperly use their clickers as a failsafe in the event that their dogs run from them and won't respond to “come.”  Remember, what you click is what you get!  Your dog will likely come back to you if you use the clicker in this way, but you've just taught him that running from you and ignoring your voice is worth a click and reward.
•    Use your clicker to teach new behaviors or to practice “known” behaviors in a new and distracting environment.  If your dog sits the first time he is asked, every time (no matter where he is) and you're willing to bet money that he can reliably do this, then it is okay to put the clicker away when asking for this behavior in the future.  Keep in mind that dogs do NOT generalize well.  If your dog is reliable when asked to sit in your home, it doesn't mean that he will have that same reliability when he is outdoors or at your veterinarian's office.  It is perfectly fine to fade use of the clicker at home but bring it out again while training in a new environment.