We highly recommend clicker training.
Clicker training uses a distinct and consistent signal to mark a desired behaviour and then follows that signal with a motivating reward.
Click = treat.
The click pinpoints the desired behaviour precisely so your puppy will learn desirable behaviour amazingly quickly—often from two or three clicks.
The clicker provides a consistent, non-emotional marker so your puppy always receives the same information, no matter who is holding the clicker.
Clicker training is used to teach/learn new behaviours. Once the behavior is learned, the clicker is not needed any more for that behaviour—although praise and treats can still be used.
Whenever you want to train a new behaviour, or fine-tune an old one, use the clicker.
For now, you will be clicking and treating every single repetition. Clicker training can be used to “capture” a desired behaviour.
If you see your puppy sit down, click and treat. Repeat each time and then add the cue – Sit. No need to use luring or repeated requests for the behaviour.
If you find it difficult to manage a clicker, treats and watch your puppy, a word or hand signal can be used instead of the clicker.
A thumbs up sign can work well for some dogs – just use it instead of the clicker.
My marker word (and one used by many trainers) is “YES!.” So, when my dog does something I would like to see more of, I just use the word “YES”. You can use any word you wish if you are consistent.
Discover other useful care and training articles in our archive: https://gsdwelfare.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html
