Does a clicker help train dogs well?

Question

I hear that a clicker helps trains dogs. Well does it work well when training dogs?

Answer 1

It's a tool. And if you don't know how to use the tool properly, it is not going to be effective. Goldengal is right, if you choose to use this training method you need to find a good trainer who knows how to implement this properly.

I tried it with my dog. My dog is not treat motivated (well, he is for like 5 minutes). In the beginning, you are taught to click and give a treat, click and give a treat. Then the click eventually replaces the treat. Since my dog didn't really care about the treat, he therefore didn't care about the click.

Every dog is different, every person is different. You need to find a good trainer that can help you and the dog figure out what is the best way to train. My trainer like pinch collars and believes in negative reinforcement. There is another training facility in town that won't let you in the building with a choke or pinch collar. If you aren't comfortable with the pinch or choke collar, then that is going to be in-effective in terms of training (we had a girl drop out of class because she simply could not get used to the idea of using one).

So my answer- it did not work for me - at all. Has it worked for others - sure. Will it work for you - only a trainer can tell!

Answer 2

My dog responds very well to it. My dog was very shy so positive reinforcement seemed like a good choice for her. But I think it depends on your dog's personality. For me I find it easier to time the reinforcer (click) with the action (for example sit). When I would praise her with words I didn't get the timing as precise. Below is a good website link. There are some free video clips demonstrating the techniques as well as some longer videos you can buy and watch on your computer. If you can afford a good clicker trainer that would be helpful too.

http://www.clickertraining.com/

Answer 3

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://bitly.im/aL5V6

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 4

With some dogs it's a great training tool. With others not so much. You have to find a very qualified trainer who knows what their doing with clicker training.

Answer 5

The philosophy behind clicker training is very good, but the clicker fails to function every single time that you forget and leave it in your pocket. Or better yet leave it sitting on the kitchen counter..

Answer 6

It can work very well, if you use it properly.

I generally use the clicker for agility training, and for marking precice behaviors (touch, sit, down). I find it less useful for ongoing behaviors (heel, stay), but that's just me. I'm currently shaping one of my dogs to retrieve using the clicker, her progress is pretty fast so far.

Clicker training is fun, so find yourself a good clicker instructor and try it out.

Answer 7

I tried it on my dogs. They usually think I'm playing a game with them whenever I use it. Some people have lots of success with the clicker though.

Answer 8

Clickers work well when combined with other types of training. With luring, you lead the dog into position by having him follow something, usually a tasty treat. With capturing, you click and reward each time your dog does the behavior you want on his own. With shaping, you click and reward as your dog gets closer and closer to the behavior. When teaching "down," for example, you might click and give a treat first for a slight dip of the head, then for a lowered head, then for one paw out, and so on until the dog lies down.

Answer 9

Well, clicking has worked wonders for my Aussie.

Just make sure you are clicking correctly. If your dog offers a behavior you want, like sitting, laying down, or bringing you a toy, click immediately, and treat.

I just sit down in the kitchen with my dog and a bowl of his food and the clicker. When he does somtheing I like, it gets clicked. Have fun with clicking! My friend clicked a sneeze, so now her dog can sneeze on command! LOL.

Answer 10

It works for some people not everyone it depends on the dog.