PAWS TO FREEDOM
Assistance Dog Team Training

Teaching People with Disabilities
to train their own Assistance Dogs
by Building Peaceable Partnerships to Independence

Clicker Training

Clicker Training is based on using positive reinforcement for desired behaviors. The “click” is the marker. The “click” sound marks the exact behavior for which the treat (a positive reinforcement or pleasant consequence) will follow. Hence the term “Click and Treat” or CT.

The first step that is done in clicker training is to establish with your dog, what the click means. By quickly following a click with a treat or reward over repetitions, soon your dog will learn that the click means a treat is on its way!

The treat used is often food treats, and can also be toys, scents, games, and any other safe and positive motivator for your dog. The key is, it MUST be motivating for your dog, not just what you “think” will be motivating. So the first step is to test the waters and find as many motivating foods, behaviors and items that your dog will be DELIGHTED to learn for!

REMINDER: some foods can be toxic for dogs and not all toys are safe. Please use caution and be educated before using treats and rewards.

Some people fear that their dogs will become dependent on behaving for food. This is not the case, as when a behavior is learned the food is randomly rewarded and then the food can be phased out to an occasional reward.

Once your dog has established the relationship of the click meaning a treat is on it’s way, the ONLY times you will CT from here on out, is when you want to mark and reward a specific behavior.

TIP: You are looking for desired behaviors here and those behaviors which are fundamental to the end desired behavior.

This method is fun for everyone involved and is a wonderful, peaceable, positive method to train dogs and other animals. Focusing on what is desired rather than what is NOT desired, will always mean the desired results will come quicker and with a more pleasant experience.

For more information on clicker training, visit the links on the training links page, contact Paws to Freedom, or find a clicker trainer in your area.

Clicker Training Class held for Golden Bond Rescue, Portland, OR 2004