Training tip- About clicking (“behavior markers”): in training dogs we want to have a unique audio signal that we make at the exact moment of the dog doing a desired behavior. I’ll call it a “click” but it could be a unique word or vocal sound you make. If we are working on “down” we click at the exact moment when the belly hits the floor. And after we click, we always follow quickly with a desired reward (I will assume food unless I indicate otherwise). So click, then reach for the reward and then quickly deliver the reward. Be still when you click, THEN reach for the reward. When the click is always followed by a reward the dog recognizes the pattern and comes to learn that whatever it did at the moment you clicked is what earned his reward. And assuming he really LIKED that reward, he’ll want to do that again. Can you see why the timing of your click is so important? It creates clarity for the dog as to WHY he got the reward. And can you see why the value of the reward really matters? It needs to be something for which he's willing to work. I prefer to click with my mouth, like I’m saying “giddyup, horse”. I always have this handy and don’t have to worry about whether I have a clicker in my hand. If you don’t want to use a mouth-click, you can choose any truly unique signal the dog won’t hear in any other context—whale and dolphin trainers give a quick toot on a whistle. Don’t use “good dog” or “yes” because you probably say those words in other non-training contexts. You could choose a word (or one syllable) you never say otherwise, like “jeep” or “yah”. Remember, dogs are not as verbal as we (primate family) people are. The click (or whatever signal you choose) is known in the science circles as a “behavior marker”—it is marking the exact behavior that is triggering a reward delivery. What questions might you have about the topic of clicking and behavior markers?
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