What Is Clicker Training?
Clicker training is a type of positive reinforcement training that uses a sound (the “click”) as a marker when your dog does something correctly. The click lets the dog know they are doing something right, and then they are rewarded with treats or affection. This can help teach them which behaviors are desirable, as well as help them learn faster than traditional methods.
Using the Clicker Effectively
The clicker should be used immediately after the desired behavior has occurred in order for your pup to make the connection between their behavior and the sound of the clicker. This is why timing is so important; if you wait too long before clicking, your pup won’t understand what it is they did correctly to earn the treat or affection. Start off with small goals and easy commands that your pup already knows, like “sit” or “stay”, and gradually build up from there. You can also use different sounds for different commands; for example, you could use a whistle for recall training or a hand signal for "lie down".
Rewarding Your Pup
Once you’ve clicked, it’s time to reward your pup! Make sure you give them treats or affection within 3 seconds of clicking so they make the connection between their desired behavior and their reward quickly. You may want to start off with treats until your pup really gets the hang of it, but then switch over to verbal praise or petting once they understand what you expect of them.
Once you master these steps (click - reward - repeat), you'll find that clicker training is an effective way to train any breed of bully breed dog—even one with not-so-nice behaviors! With patience and consistency, rewards will become less frequent as your pup learns which behaviors are desirable—in other words, fewer treats means more good habits! Clicker training can help teach basic obedience skills as well as more complex tasks like agility courses and trick performances. So don't be afraid to give this method a try! With some practice and dedication, soon enough you'll have an obedient bully on your hands!
