11:42am Tuesday 16th September 2008
SUCCESSFUL dog training hinges around the trainer's ability to recognise and reward desired behaviours whilst being equally good at marking and discouraging the less favourable ones.
Hopefully you spotted the deliberate emphasis of the word marking'. A well-timed good boy', a stroke, a gentle pat or perhaps a feed treat are all methods we use when training dogs.
Crucial to the correct use of these reward-based methods is that they are accurately timed and precisely mark the behaviour that we are hoping to encourage.
This timing can be difficult to get right, even for experienced train- ers.
If we are not careful it is easy to accidentally reward the wrong behaviours and create extra problems.
Clicker training has been around forever and was originally used by dolphin trainers.
The simple hand held clicker' is clicked as the dog is offering the behaviour we want, followed up with a feed treat.
We now regularly advocate this method of training and, when used alongside more traditional training techniques, it has produced some excellent results.
Clicker training, once grasped, can be revolutionary for both the experienced or novice dog trainer and opens up a whole new approach to training.
Quite simply, it serves to help most trainers to be much more aware of their timing - which in turn allows for far better communication between trainer and pupil.
Howard Kirby dog expert
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.andoveradvertiser.co.uk