There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about dog clicker training. People who do not understand exactly how the clicker is used in the training process and what the ultimate goals of clicker trainer are, often have misconceptions about the process. Clicker training is one of the easiest, fastest and most positive methods of training around.
Dogs trained using a clicker will only obey if a clicker is present.
The ultimate goal of clicker trainer is to train your dog to respond to voice or hand signals (or any other signal) that you choose to use. The clicker is only a training tool. It is best used to introduce new behaviours or to modify old ones. Eventually you want to dispense with the clicker altogether.
A Dog trained using a clicker only responds to food rewards.
Food is used in almost every training process not just in clicker training. As your dog learns and understands which actions are correct, you can begin to eliminate the use of food. When you are no longer using the clicker and your dog is responding well to voice commands you can start varying when you reward your pet. You might only give him a treat every third or fourth time. The other times you are going to offer lots of praise and pets.
The clicker is not loud enough in certain areas.
You should always begin training in a quiet place with few distractions. Make sure that your pet has a good understanding of what it is you are trying to teach him before moving to an area with more distractions. If you gradually introduce your dog to more confusing environments you should not have any problems.
The clicker is not loud enough for certain kind of skills, retrieving or hunting.
The clicker is only a tool. You may find that it is not loud enough for certain outside training. But, you can use the same training techniques by substituting a whistle or a horn. What makes the sound is not important. What is important is that you use the same learning method. The sound should be short and quick and you must follow it up with a reward. The whistle can be just as effective as a clicker.
How can you use a clicker in a class situation when all the other trainers are clicking at the same time?
People who have taken their pets to clicker training classes have found that it does not take long before their pet realises that only clicks given to them by their handler earns rewards.
Clicker training is a fad.
Clicker training has been around for a lot longer than most people realise. It began back in the fifties. Training research was being done not only on dogs but on many different species of animals. Using the clicker method, animal trainers have not only been successful with dogs, they have taught every kind of animal from rats to whales. The method is actually gaining in popularity because of the principals behind the method and the fact that it is so effective.
Don’t be afraid to investigate and try clicker training with your pet at home. It is fast and easy to learn. It can be very rewarding and fun for both you and your pet. And old dogs can learn new tricks.
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