“Animal Razzle” was a howling success this past weekend. Kudos to all those that organized it. Let’s do it again next year. I’ve been active in pet expos like this for years and invariably see relationships between people and their animal companions that both inspire and terrify. Kind of a “shock and awe” thing.
It’s no secret that dogs don’t speak English or any other language known to humankind. That is not to say our dogs don’t communicate. They do in many varied and wonderful ways. The problem lies with our inability to understand what our dogs are saying and vice-versa. If that doesn’t makes sense, fly across the pond and ask a citizen of Moscow for directions to the Kremlin.
So how do you bridge the communication gap? Week one of my training classes begin with an introduction to an ingenius little device known as a clicker. The clicker is a little noisemaker that has been used my trainers of circus animal and aquatic animals for years.
Simply put, the clicker is a marker for good behavior. It replaces the “good dog, good boy, atta girl!” and other phrases that have about as much meaning to your dog as saying “hula hoop” whenever they lay down for you. Clickers are a tool, not a toy or an attention getting device. When your dog complies with a command or cue, mark the behavior with a click and follow up immediately with a reward (usually a high value treat). You can pick up clickers at any Petsmart store. I think they run anywhere from $1.69 to $3.99.
How will your dog know that the clicker translates to “good dog?” It begins with an exercise called “loading the clicker.” Grab some tasty treats. The clicker will have no meaning to your dog without them. Hit your clicker and present your dog with a treat. Repeat several times in different parts of your home. Your dog needs to learn that the clicker signals a reward no matter where you are.
After giving what I thought was a thorough explanaation of this exercise in class three years ago, I instructed my students to “load their clickers.” Everyone grabbed their bag of treats except for one confused woman who began stuffing them inside her clicker. She later complained that her clicker wouldn’t work properly. Folks, it’s not a six shooter. Loading the clicker simply means pairing the treats with the clicker and creating an association between the two. Next, play the “name game.” Call your dog’s name and wait for eye contact. When you get it, click immediately and reward.
Congratulations! You have taken first big step towards being in relationship with your dog. She understands that good behavior will be rewarded. And that means you’re likely to see that behavior again. What a concept!
