How to train your Dog without using force
Training your dog should be a fun and positive experience for both you and your dog. Is it possible to train desired behaviors without even touching your dog? Yes! In fact I work with people of all ages with disabilities. Some of which can not use their hands or legs, or may lose their balance if they were to attempt to use force to try to control a dog or train him in this manner.
This video will provide you some of the basics of using a marking signal or “clicker” as a clear form of communication to train your dog.
When using the clicker, you are using operant conditioning. Operant Conditioning is when an animal voluntarily chooses to perform a behavior because it proved beneficial. Behaviors are controlled by their consequences. Dogs will do a behavior for many reasons, but unless the behavior is reinforced, the dog will not repeat the behavior.
About reinforcement. If your dog will work for it (change his behavior to get it) then it’s reinforcing. (Your dog likes hot dogs? If he is standing and you offer him a hot dog to sit, then he will change his behavior – from standing to sitting – in order to get the hot dog. If your dog likes to play fetch and you offer him the ball to sit, then he will change his behavior. He is willing to work for this.
It is important that we are clear that reinforcement is not limited to food. In fact, many times your dog will work for things such as touch, toys, car rides, running, belly rubs, even water if the dog is thirsty. Since dogs must eat to survive our main reinforcer will be food.
Using a clicker as a “conditioned reinforcer” (associating the clicker with food) you can communicate with your dog with a greater degree of accuracy. The clicker tells him exactly which behavior you want, and lets him know that a reward is coming.
Do not use the clicker to get your dog’s attention. The clicker is giving the dog information by marking a behavior. Much like a camera takes a picture of the behavior or pose you want.
Some of the advantages of training with a clicker:
• It is a hands off technique;
• It is faster and more precise;
• It can be delivered from a distance, bridging the time gap;
• It can be used by more than one person;
• It is non-punishing.
Please let me know if you have any questions. More videos will be posted soon.
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