Clicker training: from beginner to professional

In this article you will find practical instructions and valuable tips on how to tailor training to your pet.
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10 simple exercises to get started

1. Basics: Get your pet used to the sound.
2. Sit: Click when your pet sits and reward immediately.
3. Place: Click when your pet lies down.
4. Come: Click when your pet comes to you.
5. Give a paw: Click when your pet raises its paw.
6. Jump through a hoop: Click when your animal jumps through.
7. Follow target stick: Click when your animal follows the stick.
8. Eye contact: Click when your pet looks at you.
9. Ring the bell: Click when your pet touches the bell.
10. Obstacle course: Click when your animal overcomes the obstacle.

Capture calm behavior at potential trigger points

1. Identify: Find out which stimuli excite your pet.
2. Create distance: Start at a safe distance from the trigger.
3. Reward calm behavior: Click and reward when your pet remains calm.
4. Reduce the distance: Gradually reduce the distance to the trigger.
5. Add distractions: Train in different environments and with different triggers.

Avert your gaze from the stimulus

1. Present the stimulus: Start in a controlled environment.
2. Attract attention: Wait until your pet looks at you or takes its eyes off the stimulus.
3. Reward averting your gaze: Click and reward as soon as your pet averts its eyes from the stimulus.
4. Repeat the exercise: Repeat regularly to reinforce the behavior.

Leash control

1. Start leash training: Start in a low-stimulus environment.
2. Walk beside you: Click and reward when your pet walks relaxed next to you.
3. Loose leash: Click while the leash is still slack. Stop when your pet pulls and click when it focuses on you again.
4. Consistency: Repeat regularly and be consistent.
5. Rewards vary: Use different rewards.

Drop it according to Chirag Patel

1. Preparation: Choose a quiet place.
2. Interesting item: Choose an interesting but not too tempting item.
3. Offer the object: Let your pet pick up the object.
4. Wait for voluntary release: Wait for your pet to let go of the object.
5. Insert CLICINO: Click immediately when the object is released.
6. Reward: Give a high-quality reward.
7. Repeat: Repeat regularly to reinforce the behavior.
8. Add a command: As soon as your pet reliably lets go of the object, add the command "Leave it" or "Drop it" just before or at the same time as it lets go of the object.
9. Generalize: Practice in different environments and with different objects to increase reliability.

Conclusion
Clicker training is much more than just a method of teaching tricks - it is a way of deepening communication and understanding between you and your pet. However, success requires patience and consistency, but the results are worth it: a relaxed relationship, better understanding and, above all, the joy of learning together. Whether you simply want to give your pet fun or encourage specific behaviors, clicker training gives you the tools to achieve your goals.