.
1. ID Tag …. 2. Transition …. 3. Housetraining …. 4. Feeding
5. Fleas & Ticks …. 6. Heartworms …. 7. Poison Control …. 8. First Aid Kit
9. Marker Training …. 10. Aggression …. 11. Resources & Recommended Reading
Adapted from articles by Shelly Volsche, Miranda Hersey Helin, Ben Rubenstein, and others.
Marker training, also known as clicker training, is a highly effective method of teaching dogs new skills due to its clear communication and positive effects on the relationship between person and animal. It is a kind of positive reinforcement training, based around giving rewards for correct behavior, instead of punishment for incorrect behavior.
Motivating Your Dog
Dogs will do what works to obtain the things they want or need. Food, water, attention, and play are just a few of these things. Using these resources as rewards, marker training motivates dogs to try different behaviors and skills until they find the one that works to obtain what they need or want. Because of this, we can teach dogs by focusing on the behaviors we like and rewarding them.
Removing Confrontation
Marker training removes confrontation from the relationship between owner and dog. There is no use of force and no need to corner a dog into a response. Instead, marker training allows the dog to think independently and try new skills. Rather than control his dog’s every move, the owner encourages the dog to make good choices. Not giving the reward is often all that is needed to reduce an unwanted behavior. But on occasion, trainers may also use a “no reward” marker to let the dog know the behavior was not worthy of a reward. Examples of “no reward” markers are phrases such as “wrong” or “try again,” said in a relaxed, friendly tone to provide feedback, not to scold.
Choosing a Marker
An effective marker is one that gives an immediate and distinctive auditory response to a dog’s behavior. A marker can be a specific word such as “yes!” and “good!” or a short whistle burst when working at long distances outdoors. A commonly used and highly effective marker is the clicker, a small device with a metal tongue that makes a distinctive clicking sound when depressed and released. The clicker’s effectiveness is due to the uniqueness of the sound, which the dog is not going to hear in casual conversation, and to your ability to be very precise in your timing. Your dog is going to very quickly pair the clicking sound with positive feedback and reward. Don’t worry if your dog is initially startled by the click – most dogs will adjust to the noise once they realize that treats come after the click. But if the dog is clearly fearful of the clicker noise, try clicking a pen, which is softer/quieter, or using a marker word instead.
“Charging” (or “Loading”) the Marker
Whatever marker you choose, you must initially properly pair it with food treats so it has meaning to your dog. To do this, present the marker (in other words say “yes!” or give a click with the clicker) and IMMEDIATELY follow with a treat. Repeat until your dog looks at you each time he hears the marker, knowing that he is about to get a reward. This is called “charging” the marker.
The Treat
Remember that the clicker itself is not the reward. The clicker is intended to mark which behavior is correct, not to reward a behavior. You’ll have to reward your dog with a treat after you click because the treat is the reward. When you clicker train, use very small treats. You’ll want to use a soft treat that your dog will eat in one quick bite. You can use thinly sliced hot dog, small pieces of cheese, or very small training treats. Work with your dog before he is fed. A full dog may not be as interested in working for food. Eventually, the dog’s mealtime can become a session of rehearsing commands he already knows, or while teaching new things. Not all dogs find food rewarding; marker training can still be effective by finding a reward that is valuable for your dog. See http://www.clickertraining.com/node/1642.
Practice Timing
Correct timing is essential to clicker training. Remember: the click marks the correct behavior. For example, if you’re trying to train your dog to sit, clicking after your dog has already gotten up from the sitting position is going to train him to stand on command! Try to click during the desired behavior, not after it is completed. Don’t be dismayed if your pet stops the behavior when it hears the click— the click is also your dog’s signal to stop the behavior, like saying “Good job, that’ll do!”
“Catch” Correct Behaviors
Instead of using physical force to put your dog in a certain position, wait until you see your dog performing the action you want to reward. For example, if you want to train your dog to lie down on command, wait until you see your dog lying on the ground. You can then click and treat. Another way of getting correct behaviors is to gently coax or lure your dog into the correct movement or position, but don’t push, pull, or hold him. Let the dog discover how to do the behavior on his own. If you want to train your dog to sit, for example, hold the treat above his nose. As he moves up his nose, he should end up sitting on the floor. When his backside touches the ground, click and treat.
Add a Cue
Once your dog is consistently offering the desired behavior, you’ll want to add a “cue” so that your dog can respond with the behavior when asked. To do this, simply say the cue after you click. After you’ve repeated this a number of times (the number will vary depending on the dog!), tell your dog the cue. If your dog doesn’t immediately do the correct behavior, be patient and go back to catching the behavior. Remember to use the cues consistently. For example, you might train your dog to both lie down on command and jump off a couch. Instead of using the cue “down” for both, try using the command “down” for lying down and “off” for going off the couch, or “lie” for lying down and “down” for going off the couch. You can also use visual cues, such as a raised hand for “sit.” Both can work well, as long as you remember to be consistent.
Consistent and Clear Communication
The biggest benefit to marker training is that it provides clear and consistent communication between owner and dog. Since the dog knows that each mark means a reward, marking is an effective way for the owner to tell his dog which behaviors he likes. Each time the owner marks, the dog files a mental image of what he did that earned that mark. And since dogs do what works, the dog will repeat behaviors that earn marks and abandon behaviors that do not.
Shape A Behavior
Teaching your dog a complex behavior is a multi-step process. If you’re trying to train your dog to fetch a beer from the fridge, for example, you wouldn’t expect your dog to happen to “offer” that behavior on his own. Instead, train small steps at a time – first rewarding him for going to the kitchen, then going to the refrigerator, then pawing the fridge, opening the fridge, etc., – and eventually, you will create the entire behavior. This is known as “shaping” a behavior. In the process, if your dog does something wrong, just ignore it and wait until he does something correct to reward, helping him if necessary.
Fix Bad Behaviors By Clicking Good Behaviors.
Positive training focuses on positive behavior. For example, instead of yelling at your dog for barking, click the clicker when your dog is quiet. You can gradually desensitize your dog to the sound of knocking and the doorbell, people coming into the house, and strangers knocking at the door using clicker training. Another idea is to train your dog to heel by clicking when the leash goes slack, instead of yanking on the leash when your dog pulls ahead of you. Remember that you should never punish your dog: clicker training is supposed to be fun and bonding for both of you.
Apply Marker Training in Daily Life
Keep practice sessions short. Dogs have short attention spans, and you’ll get the most out of your training if you train for five minutes three times a day, instead of training without break for an hour a day. You can also liven up training sessions by including a game of fetch or tug-of-war. If your dog is frustrated with a new behavior or isn’t making progress, throw in a few tricks he or she knows well to keep the treats flowing. Your dog will be upset and bored if he doesn’t get rewards for his work. Remember to use the shaping technique and keep goals easy and achievable. Stay calm and positive when you train. Your job is to be your dog’s coach and cheer him along; don’t get angry or frustrated. If you start feeling annoyed or upset, take a breather or play a game with your dog. Owners who do not have time for formal, daily training sessions, or whose households are especially prone to interruptions, can still practice marker training by incorporating it into daily life. Simply count out 50 or more treats for each day and carry them in a treat bag on your waistband when you are at home. (Use part of your dog’s daily kibble if weight control is a concern.) Then each time your dog does something you like, for example keeping all paws on the floor instead of jumping up to greet you, going to his mat when the doorbell rings, or sitting when approaching a stranger, mark happily with a click (or your chosen marker word) and offer a treat. This method shifts your focus from what your dog is doing wrong to what your dog is doing right, and offers useful feedback to your dog as to what works.
Focus on the Positive
Focusing on the positive builds a relationship based on trust, respect, and fun with our dogs. No longer do we need to scare or physically harm our dogs in the name of training. Instead, guide your dog into making the right choices every day, reward those choices with food or play, and watch inappropriate behaviors disappear.
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1. ID Tag …. 2. Transition …. 3. Housetraining …. 4. Feeding
5. Fleas & Ticks …. 6. Heartworms …. 7. Poison Control …. 8. First Aid Kit
9. Marker Training …. 10. Aggression …. 11. Resources & Recommended Reading