Having a dog is a lot of fun, but teaching that dog to do tricks can be an endless source of amusement for both you and him. Training your dog to perform tricks is a blast, and it’s a great way to mentally stimulate your pet and make him work for his room and board.
These tricks rely on the clicker method, which reinforces good behavior. A clicker is a little handheld device that makes a distinct clicking sound. When your dog is exhibiting desired behaviors, you click the clicker and immediately give him a treat. He begins to associate his good behaviors with the sound of the click and the treat, and will work extra hard to please you.
1. Respond To The Clicker
Clicker training is a useful technique in teaching dogs new behaviors. Clickers are valuable communication tools and can be used to modify the behaviors of aggressive or reactive dogs, so responding to the clicker is often the first skill you want to teach your dog.
A clicker is used as an event marker, and by clicking it at the exact moment that your dog completes a desirable behavior, you are able to communicate with your dog.
The click is a promise of reinforcement and also tells your dog that you like what he did. To begin the process, have your dog sit in front of you. Once he sits, click the clicker and give him a small treat. Repeat this action about 30 times to help your dog associate the clicking sound with a treat and good behavior.
Again, it is important that you use small, healthy treats for this exercise in order to ensure that your training doesn’t cause your pup to gain weight.
Over the next week, click the clicker and give your dog a treat when he is exhibiting good behavior, such as lying quietly during dinner or coming when he’s called. Once your dog is familiar with the concept, you can use it to teach him new tricks. Eventually, you won’t need to carry the clicker with you, as once the behavior has been trained and your dog fully understands the cue, the clicker will no longer be necessary.