Training Your Dog with the Click and Treat Method

Posted by Jeanne on January 2, 2009

Becoming the first major improvement in dog training since choke chains and spiked collars, click and treat has quickly revolutionized itself in becoming a big hit on the training circuit.  Currently, there are over 10,000 trainers who are using this method regularly.

Used in the beginning to train marine mammals, click and treat breaks down the process into two separate steps, information and motivation.  While other trainers still emphasize on these two steps, they try to teach them all at once, which can confuse the animal and prolong results.

Most trainers will verbally praise a dog for good behavior, while at the same time motivating the dog to repeat his actions.  This can be a good method, however it takes longer for the dog to understand which behaviors and actions caused the praise from the trainer.  With the click and treat method, the processes are easily taught.  In normal training, a person would say “good boy” when a welcomed action occurs and proceed with giving a treat.  The clicker becomes a substitute for verbal praise and can actually catch the “good boy” behavior quicker than saying it, letting the dog know exactly which behavior he is being rewarded for.

First things first, in order to try click and treat, the trainer must invest in a clicker, which can be found at most pet supply stores.  The training itself is quick and rather easy for the dog and his trainer.

Another way to look at click and treat training is viewing it as a secondary reinforcement, while food, water, physical affection and play (things the dog wants) become primary reinforcement.  When you take a dog for a walk, the leash works as a secondary reinforcement.  It is obvious to the dog that the leash is not taking him for a walk; the owner is, however, it triggers a reaction in the dog, telling him that the leash will let him know where he will go and where he will not.  And if he reacts to the leash with good behavior, his reward will be a nice leisurely walk.  Click and treat works the same way.  When a dog hears the clicker, he will know that he performed a good behavior and as long as he keeps hearing a click, there are rewards coming to him.  So, the clicker works as a secondary reinforcement, teaching him boundaries and appropriate behavior.

A couple advantages of the click and treat method include, 1) faster response than verbal praise.  The clicker can identify the exact behavior at the time it happens, 2) it takes the place of treats.  While motivating the dog to hear clicks, it will also teach him to work without the expectations of having treats given to him each time he does something good, and 3) if the trainer is working at a distance from the dog, the clicker will still work, without having to be right next him.

A good method to use when getting started with click and treat is to stand in front of the animal.  Click the clicker and give a treat.  Continue doing this for 20-30 minutes, or until the dog becomes startled by the sound of the click.  This will familiarize him to the clicking sound, while teaching him that every time he hears it, he has done something good.  After he gets the hang of it, begin by adding commands, such as “sit” and “stay.”

Click and treat has proven to be a simple, yet consistent training method with quick results.  So for the trainers out there who are looking for a new and innovative way to motivate and praise their animals, get out there, buy a clicker and…..click!

Bulldog Character and Training

Posted by Jeanne on December 18, 2008

Bulldogs love a walk or a romp. Unless you have two pups living together, it is an excellent idea to have a regular period of exercise, preferably a walk on a lead. The sooner this is started, the easier it is for man and dog. While a three-month-old puppy will take just right now to the collar and lead, a seven-month-old one is more inclined to fight the process than to cooperate.

Bulldogs, from early puppyhood, want to do what you want. Sometimes a youngster seems not to want to understand, but that is more over-anxiety than stubbornness.

When he is small, there is nothing more engaging than a bulldog puppy on your lap. Suddenly, he is six months old, weighs 50 pounds, and still thinks he can sit on you and rest his head on your shoulder! The time to teach him his place is when he is still small enough for you to put him there. It is your job to visualize the size he will someday be. He can’t know it, and he generally doesn’t want to annoy you.

Every bulldog should have a place of his own where he can retire for peace and quiet. It may be a box in the basement, the foot of your bed, or under the kitchen table. Wherever you choose will suit him, as long as it is always available to him. I prefer a spot with a gate that can be securely closed. No matter how much you love a dog, time comes when he should be put away for awhile. He will not resent being confined to his own quarters.