Dogs

Clicker training is the methodology of train your dog, cat or any other animal pet to behave well in a desired action in any place using a click sound produced by a Clicker. Your pet can be trained to go to the toilet for the desired action, or do some other useful action on your command.

It is also possible to hire a dog trainer or train your dog in a dog training school, but training your dog yourself will increase the relationship of your dog with you and it will increase the chance of making you, the friend and the master of your dog.

Training your dog can be a fun too in your spare time to enjoy your life with your pet.

What Is Dog Clicker Training?

Dog clicker training is the use of a small clicker to train a dog through positive reinforcement to act in certain ways. The clicker gives a trainer a very precise way of letting an animal know when they have done a desired behavior. It is a method that enables a trainer to train or guide an animal by positive reinforcement, rather than through punishment or correction.

What a trainer does during clicker training is condition an animal to respond to the noise of a clicker. They teach the animal that the sound of a clicker means that a reward is coming. They use the conditioned reinforce (clicker noise) to mark the correct movement and back it up with a primary reward (food etc.).

Why Does a Trainer Use a Clicker at All?

A clicker is a far more precise way of marking a desired behavior. It is far faster to “click” than to say the words “good dog” for example.

With a clicker, a trainer can mark the exact second when the desired behavior is done. The idea of clicking is to catch the animal in the process of doing the behavior rather than afterwards. They then can offer the reward.

As the animal gains an understanding of what it is that the trainer is looking for, the trainer is able to use the clicker to modify or shape the animal’s behavior a little bit at a time until the complete desired result is achieved.

Important Things to Consider in the Dog Clicker Training

In the dog clicker training, the way you perform the training is called operant conditioning and differing from the classical conditioning. In this way of dog training, the dog trainer encourages the animal to behave in a certain way so that animal will feel good to behave in the desired manner.

The encouragement of dog to perform the desired target behavior is fulfilled through

• Non-verbal signals
• Verbal signals
• Clicks
• Rewards

The rewarding mechanism is very important for the dog clicker training because that is the way dog knows what is desired to do and what is not. One other important fact is that, the reward should always come along with dog doing the desired action so the dog will not be confused whether an action done was desired or not.

When every time a reward comes along, the dog knows it is a good thing to do.

In the clicker training, another important fact is that, dog trainer (in our case, you) will hardly use any aversive control or punishment. The trainer should understand, the dog does not know whats in your mind. The dog has to do a self understanding what should do.

How hard it is to convey a message to another person without telling or writing down something? Dog faces that truth in the training. So, the dog trainer should be sympathetic about the dog and should make the best effort to train the dog without any harm.

In this kind of dog training, corrective actions should also be performed in order to obtain good results. But the animals should not be scolded or make any physical harm just because the dog did not understand what is desired to do.

When the dog is not behaving as desired, what a good thing to do is do a neutral verbal sign to the animal and dog will know some desired action was not performed since the reward did not come along.

What is the Purpose of a Clicker in Dog Training?

The way clicker training happens is a simple concept of rewarding. Every animal understands the concept of reward. Also, the concept of clicker training (operant conditioning) separates the other means of dog trainings e.g. classical conditioning such a way that the dog trainer should have a very good stance in patience because small steps of the dog should be watched and rewarded.

If we go a little bit more in to the training, you have to reward the dog if the dog even progress in a tiny way in to the desired action. For an example, looking at a way of a target that he/she should go is a good sign for a start and should be rewarded to encourage more into the action.

In case of the target behavior is middle or too complex, the total behavior may divide into sub-behaviors and then can train the dog on each successive behaviors.

Clicker Training it is Simple but Powerful

When training the dog in successive sub-behaviors or behaviors, a small success is met with a click and also a reward associated for that progress. When the dog behaves on a non-targeted behavior, it will be met with a neutral deterrent and without any reward so that the dog will learn that behavior is not desired and will choose a target behavior over a non-targeted behavior.

The dog can be trained in the clicker training method if that dog has previously trained in classical conditioning too. Researches have shown that the dogs that cross over from traditional training method also produce good results.

The clicker trainer should assist the dog with specially the first few sessions which will usually require between 20 to 50 successful repetitions or successful training cycles.

After the dog has gained a good mastery of the target action, some other Non-verbal signals and verbal signals also can be added to make it more interesting for the trainer and the dog.

Is Clicker Training Effective For A Puppy?

You want your puppy to stop peeing on the carpet or maybe learn to follow you or sit? There are a number of techniques to do that, some more effective than other, but the best one is by far clicker training.

Yes, it is effective and recommended even for puppies. Actually, it can be more effective on puppies than on adult dogs as they are able to learn faster and don’t know much about the world.

Although you can use this method since the dog is very small, don’t overdo it. Keep the sessions short and have fun while you do it. Clicker training for a puppy is popular because you do not hurt the dog in any way, emotionally or physically.

The technique is the same one you use on an adult dog, the only difference being that you will need the type of treats the puppy is allowed to eat at that age.

Get the little dog used to the sound made by the clicker and to the fact that it will receive a reward then start clicking and rewarding only for action that is more specific. You can replace the treats with praise sometimes and I am sure you will enjoy that too.

A basic technique is to teach it to sit by placing a treat above its nose so you will practically force it to sit if it wants the treat. Activate the clicker before giving away the treat. Repeat the steps for several days and increase the pauses between the clicks.

You will probably be amazed at the speed clicker training works for a puppy. It is a popular method and you can easily do it yourself at home while having fun with your dog. You can use the technique even after the dog gets bigger.

Dog Clicker Training Tips

Dog clicker training is the use of a small clicker to train a dog through positive reinforcement to act in certain ways. Below are some tips that will help make your clicker training sessions more productive for both you and your dog.

• Always keep training sessions short. You are better off doing 3 sessions of 10 minutes than a one-half hour session.
• The timing of the clicker is very important. You want to click during the desired behavior not when it is complete.
• If you click, you must treat.
• Clicker training is using small steps to achieve a certain behavior. You have to start by clicking for the basic behaviors that lead to the correct one.
• Wait until the animal is correctly performing the behavior before adding the verbal cue.
• Once your dog has a good grasp of a behavior, gradually increase what you are asking your pet to do. For example, once your pet knows a “sit” only click and reward a good sit. Ignore a sloppy one.
• You should always try to have a clicker and treats handy. If you see a desired behavior you can click and reward.
• If your pet is not learning as quickly as you think it should, check the timing of your clicks. You want to be sure that you clicking at the right time. It could be that you are clicking too late.
• Have a variety of different treats available. Use very special treats for the harder tasks.
• When training any behavior it is best to start by working in a quiet environment. You want as few distractions as possible.
• Once your dog has a fairly good grasp of a desired behavior change your practice location. You want be certain that your pet understands “sit” is not only for the kitchen but, in the backyard and down the street. The more locations that you can practice in the better.
• Clicker training is all about rewarding good behavior and ignoring the bad. You do not use punishments when you are clicker training. You always use positive reinforcements.
• And lastly, always keep sessions happy and light.

PERRAMA A Must Have Tool for Clicker Method Training

• With two pockets, one compartment, and a poop bag dispenser, the doggie treat tote keeps all essentials close at hand.
• One removable and adjustable shoulder strap (57.8″), one adjustable waist strap that fits waist sizes from 21″ to 40.9″ and a metal belt clip provide versatile carry options.
• Training your puppy can be a fun way to bond with your pal, and Perrama Treat Pouches come with all that you need.

Dogs are not merely part of family, but are very faithful and loving fellow. They stay always by your side if you are sad or happy as well as love you unconditionally.

Tips to help keep your dog healthy

The main responsibility of the owner of a dog is to give his/her dog with all it needs, for living a healthy and happy life. Below are some important dog care tips, which help you to keep your pet dog happy.

Do not switch your dog’s food abruptly

In an attempt to give their pet some variety, many owners will change brands or types of food abruptly. This usually results in a bout of diarrhea, since the animal’s intestinal tract is not used to the new food. Although this is a relatively minor illness, the owner is usually faced with a huge mess. When switching foods or adding something new it is best to do it gradually over a week to prevent GI upset.

Pancreatitis, a serious inflammation of the pancreas, can be caused by feeding the pet a large helping of a holiday meal, fatty meat trimmings, or bones. It is very painful and results in severe vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration which may require several days of hospitalization and intravenous fluid therapy.

Don’t feed dog with bones

Feeding dog with bones can lead to intestinal obstruction requiring emergency surgery, or „peritonitis“, a serious infection of the abdominal cavity that can happen if the wall of the stomach or intestines is pierced by a sharp point of the bone. Bones can also lodge in the oral cavity and obstruct eating and drinking.

Vaccinate your puppy

Parvovirus is by far the most common disease of puppies that can be prevented by vaccination. The disease is highly contagious and causes extreme weakness and severe, bloody vomiting and diarrhea. Many puppies have to be euthanized either because they are too sick to survive or their owner’s can not afford treatment which can cost hundreds of dollars.

A simple series of vaccinations starting at about 8 weeks of age and given every 2-3 weeks until the pup is 16 weeks old is very effective in preventing this serious illness and is much less expensive than a week in intensive care!

Give your pet a heartworm preventative

Heartworm disease is another example of a serious disease that is easy to prevent. It is transmitted by mosquitos. The adult worms live in and damage the right side of the heart and the arteries leading to the lungs. Treatment can be expensive and may have serious side effects. Both dogs and cats are at risk for this disease, including indoor-only pets, since mosquitoes frequently get inside of homes.

Several excellent medicines are available and are 100% effective in preventing this disease.

Restrain your pet in your vehicle

Many owners love to take their pets for car rides but have never given a thought as to what would happen if they were involved in a traffic accident. An unrestrained pet is likely to be severely injured or even ejected from the car. Seat belts for dogs are available at pet stores and may help to prevent injury.

Never let your dog lean out of an open window, it’s an accident waiting to happen

A little swerve or a quick stop will send the animal flying. Many animals have been severely injured or killed falling from a moving vehicle. Often times they break both front legs or are run over by the car behind them. It is also very dangerous to let a dog hang its head out of a partially opened window. Serious injury to the eye can occur if it were to be struck by a bug or other object.

Pet proofing in your house

Because of their inquisitive nature, many dogs are harmed by things commonly found in the house and yard. Many owners are lulled into a false sense of security because their pet is well-behaved for years on end without getting into anything. They begin to think that their pet would never misbehave.

The important message here is that if tempted, even the most well behaved animal can do something to injure itself. It only takes one time for a pet to eat something it shouldn’t and then the owner is faced with a seriously ill pet and a large vet bill. To prevent poisonings and other injuries, owners need to take the same precautions in keeping harmful items out of a pet’s reach that they would for a small child.

Dogs commonly get into the kitchen garbage pail

If ingested, items such as bones, corncobs, shish kabob skewers, and plastic food wrap can cause serious illnesses such as pancreatitis, peritonitis, or an intestinal obstruction.

Dogs also love to consume food left out on the counter or tablet or they may get into the newly purchased bag of dog food mistakenly left out of the pantry. This usually results in a bout of diarrhea and vomiting or a more serious condition such as pancreatitis.

So, before you leave your dog home alone, look around the kitchen and make sure there is nothing left out that your dog could get into, empty the trash can and securely close all cupboard doors.

Other items that dogs are commonly poisoned with include rat poison, insect baits, antifreeze, cleaners and other home chemicals, and human medications. Some owners have induced serious stomach ulceration in their dogs by giving them medicines such as ibuprofen or naproxin. Always check with your veterinarian before giving your pet any human medication.

Each and every dog has its own unique personality. And, with these unique personalities comes distinctive needs. It can be hard to determine which dog will best fit into your lifestyle and fit in with your own personality!

Questions to consider before bringing a new dog to your home:

• Do you have children? If so, you will want a dog that is patient and playful.
• Do you live in a home with a big yard? If not, you will need to consider options of how your dog will get the exercise he needs, especially bigger breeds.
• Do you prefer big or small dogs?

Do you want a dog that is already house trained? Or do you want a puppy you can train yourself?

There are benefits to both! Puppies are special in the fact that you can raise them and train them from the very beginning. Older dogs are great, just for the fact that you do not have to go through the joys of house training! Either way it is important to know which you prefer.

Do you want a dog that is calm and relaxed or one that is playful and rambunctious?

This is important to know because if you want a dog that is playful and rambunctious, than you will need to be able to have the time to actually play with him and train him the rules. They cannot learn how to be good on their own!

They need guidance and a lot of love and patience. If you want a dog that is calm and a great dog to cuddle up with at the end of the day, than you will not want to get one of those playful, rambunctious ones. This will only lead to frustration and an unhappy life for you and your dog.

Now what?

After you decide what personality and size of dog you are looking for, then you need to decide what type of dog to get that are known to match the personality you are looking for in a dog. You will need to do your homework. Do not hastily make a decision without first doing as much research as you can on all of the different breeds. Of course, just because a breed is known for something, such as great with children, does not mean it is always the case.

Each dog is unique and you will have to determine the right dog by physically meeting the dog or puppy. However, you can get an idea of which breed to check into through your research and through the questions you have answered from above.

Choose the best type of dog for you among the different breeds of dogs available

Your dog breed-choosing task can be simplified by thoroughly researching the different breeds of dogs available. Dog owners who’ve bypassed this important step, obtained dogs based on how cute they looked, but shortly thereafter–and with great heartbreak–had to do away with them due to behavioral problems.

Avoid this grief and learn all you can about the various kinds of dogs available. Your education will reward you tenfold by helping you select a canine companion ideal for your lifestyle, environment and family situation.

Discover what dog personalities, behavioral characteristics and distinct appearances attract you most. To simplify your research, we have provided you with the seven common-known dog classes you can choose your dog from. A few sample breed types for each group have also been provided:

• The working group: Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, Rottweiler, Boxer, Saint Bernard.
• The hound group: Bloodhoud, Borzoi, Greyhound, Basset, Beagle, Whippet, Saluki, Afghan Hound, Scottish Hound.
• The herding group: Shetland Sheepdog, Border Collie, Puli, Austrailian Cattle Dog, Welsh Corgis, German Shepherd.
• The terrier group: West Highland White Terrier, Scottish, Norfolk & Norwich Terriers, Cairn Terrier, Border Terrier.
• The non-sporting group: Chow Chow, Bulldog, Lhasa Apso, Chinese Shar-Pei, Dalmatian, Bichon Frise, Minature Poodle.
• The toy group: Pug, Shih Tzu, Toy Poodle, Maltese, Pekingese, Chihuahua, Pomeranian.
• The sporting group: Vizsla, Pointer, Labrador Retriever, English Cocker Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, Weimaraner.

Of course, there are many other sorts of dog not mentioned above that you should think about researching. You might even consider a mixed-breed dog. Though it could be hard to predict size, weight, and behavior for a mixed breed dog, however, most are charming and many are in need of a good home.

Adopting a mixed-breed dog is one best way to avoid inherited diseases prone to the purebreds. Remember do your homework before bringing puppy or dog home.

After doing your research it is time to find your dog

There are many places to find a dog. Shelters are a great place to get a dog, as many of these dogs are loveable and really need homes. And, usually you can get a dog for a lot less than going to a pet shop.

You could get your puppy from a house breeder. When choosing between a home breeder and a puppy mill or dog farm, it is highly recommended to stay away from the dog farms. Do your research on these types of places. Remember that many pet shops will get their dogs from puppy mills.

Once you have decided on where you want to go for your dog, you need to go and visit the puppy or dog. If you have children, it is a good idea to bring them along to see how the dog reacts with the children. If you decide on a puppy, and it is not time for him to come home, keep in touch and try to visit a couple more times to be sure he will be the perfect match for your home!