What Can I Clicker Train My Dog to Do?

You’ve heard about people using clickers to train their dogs to sit and stay. But did you know you can clicker train your dog to play catch or go hiking? You can even use clicker training to make your dog stop barking!

 

So what can you clicker train your dog to do? Here are some of the most popular skills dogs can learn with clicker training:

 

• Obedience skills – sit, stay, come, heel, down


• Crate training, potty training


• Behaviors – barking, chewing, biting, jumping


• Bathing


• Speak and be quiet


• Reliable recall


• Games – fetch, Frisbee, hide and go seek, snow play


• Sports – Canicross, Treiball, hiking


• Safety – holiday, vacation

Clicker training is a positive reinforcement method of training your dog. When you give a command and your dog performs correctly, you immediately click a clicker and give him a treat. Dogs especially enjoy the click and treat form of training; it becomes a game for them.

 

To be a successful clicker trainer, you need to learn exactly when to click. You must click at the exact moment your dog performs the desired behavior. The clicker is not difficult to use; it just requires a little practice. To become more proficient at clicking, practice away from your dog until you become totally confident with your mechanical skills in using the clicker and you’ve perfected your clicker timing. Practice makes perfect!

 

There are so many fun things to clicker train your dog to do. Start with the basic obedience skills and make sure he is consistent in responding to your commands. With a strong foundation, you can clicker train your dog to be a fun companion inside and outside!