Clicker training 101

[MissBeehivingUnderTheMistletoe]

I'm collecting our pup, Sprout, on Monday. He's a Border Terrier. We live rurally on a smallholding with various livestock. He will be clicker trained [novice emoticon]. I've read previous threads on clicker training etc but any useful hints would be much appreciated

I would also like Sprout to rat when he's old enough. How do you I teach him that rats are OK to hunt but nothing else is - chickens, cats, guinea pigs etc?

You have probably got your little Sprout by now. How exciting you lucky thing.

If he is already clicker trained fantastic. If not get a clicker just click it and give him a yummy titbit. I would give him a couple of days to settle down before you start this.

Once he realises that the clicker means treat you can start more specific training.

Start by saying his name if he looks at you click and treat do this several times a day and soon he will realise that when you say his name good things hapen.

You could then build onto other commands so if you want him to sit. Lure him into the sit position and the instant that his bottom goes onto the floor click and treat. Do not say sit until he readily offers this behaviour.

So bacsically the clicker tells your dog when he is doing the behaviour you want him to do. I would work on one behaviour at a time. But the dog will pick up things very very quickly.

I permanently have a clicker strapped around my wrist!

Enjoy your new Sprout! Love the name.

Thank you minimu . He has arrived and is wonderful, as bright as a button and very self possessed for an 8 week old. We're using his name and he's recognising it now so I'll start with the clicker over the next couple of days.

I'm sure you have an extensive selection of clickers - do you find that one variety is better than another or are they all much of a muchness?

I find the bog standard ones are the best.

eg these

I do tned to loose them and forget where I put them so I would buy a couple!

tned duh tend!

i love love love my clicker.
mr loopy lurcher has come on leaps and bounds since starting clicker training. yesterday he saw another dog approaching and actually came up to me and sat down in front of me looking longingly at the treat bag and ignored the other dog competely. 'mazin.

I've got this one

Thanks, I'll buy several! One more question please, oh wise one What would you do about puppy training classes? Presumably it needs to be a clicker based one?

That's great jooseyfruit!

A clicker based puppy class would be the best. You may have to look hard to find one and go a bit further but it really really is worth it.

Thanks minimu. We started today on his name and sit and toilet training with the clicker. It is incredible that they can pick it up so quickly - he now sits when I hold my hand above his head. I'm now wondering whether it could work with children