Clicker Training

Over the past 20 years, leading dog trainers have increasingly turned to the same reward-based training methods that zoo trainers and marine mammal trainers have used since the early 1960’s. Using a method called “clicker training” animal trainers teach animals to willingly and reliably offer high-level behaviors. Complex behaviors such as dogs working as “guiding eyes” for the blind, killer whales performing leaps and tricks at marine mammal parks and animals acting in movies are all achieved with clicker training.

Clicker training is based on the scientific learning principles of operant and classical conditioning. The focus is on catching the dog doing something “right”, rather than on what they are doing wrong. Clicker training uses a novel sound to communicate with the dog, and that sound is paired with something the dog really enjoys, like a special, tasty treat. The clicker sound serves as a bridging signal, linking a desired behavior to a reward. It says to your dog, “the behavior you just did will get you a reward!” Dogs respond very quickly and happily to being rewarded for good behavior and will offer that behavior more frequently. Using the clicker as a teaching tool, training progresses rapidly and your dog becomes skilled in that behavior. After successful clicker training, your dog will respond reliably and happily to your requests, and you no longer need to use the clicker.

Clicker training is a powerful tool for training behaviors. Everything from canine basic manners to the upper level performances of obedience, agility, flyball and canine musical freestyle can be taught with the clicker.

Quick, Effective & Fun

A training method that allows a person to work with another species and have that species willingly and happily cooperate is a powerful communication tool for both species. Clicker training will change the way you live and interact with your dog. It is a quick, effective and fun way to communicate. It strengthens your relationship with your dog and gives him a reason to trust and respond to you.

All training is done at the dog’s pace. There are no labels of “stubborn” or “slow” dogs. Clicker training allows us to break down training requirements so that both owners and their dogs are successful in meeting their training goals. It allows us to introduce a teaching tool that owners can use throughout their dog’s life, whether to teach their dog good manners, train tricks, or to achieve national recognition in canine sports. Most importantly, clicker training gives us the key to open up a new world of communication between owners and their beloved dogs.