'Mental Agility' for the canine mind - watch your dog learn to learn!
Clicker training is another method of training dogs. Based on the scientific principle of
'operant conditioning', it simply means that a behaviour is determined by its consequence.
The clicker is a small plastic device, which when pressed, makes a clicking sound. The
click marks the exact moment the dog has done something correctly and is swiftly followed
by a reward.
This is a purely positive reinforcement method, non-coercive and suitable for almost all dogs
(except perhaps, for the excessively noise-shy or deaf). All ages and breeds can benefit -
puppies, adolescents, adults, seniors - shy ones, wayward ones, stubborn ones.....
Once your dog understands the concept, you won't need to MAKE them do it, they will
WANT to do it. As there is no punishment if they get it wrong (or if WE get it wrong!),
they never get disheartened and are happy to try again. This is a very effective method of
communicating with your dog and building trust and confidence. Your dog works WITH you,
not just FOR you.
