Many dog trainers, in addition to pet owners, use a dog clicker as an accessory when teaching tricks or appropriate behaviors to our four-legged friend. However, there are different types on the market and finding the most suitable one, when you are not sure what it is, can be complicated.
Therefore, below we are not only going to talk about what a clicker for dogs is, but also how to use it, what types are there and if it is effective for any dog. Read on to find out too.
What is a dog clicker and what is it for?
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Actually, there are many ways to define what a dog clicker is, but one of the easiest to understand is this: it is a small plastic box that, when squeezed, what it does is sound like a click, hence the name. This device is used to reinforce positive learning, a kind of sound that the dog identifies when it has done something good.
However, it can also be used in a negative way, that is, as an aversive, understanding that the dog when hearing the sound knows that there is something wrong, causing it to become stressed, nervous and can act in a negative way.
Types of clicker for dogs
In the market, when you go to look for a clicker for dogs, you will find several types of them, and choosing a suitable one can make you successful with your dog or just see it as another toy.
Thus, among those that exist are:
Approval
Focused on dog trainers and trainers. This type of clickers for dogs is made of a more durable and solid material to prevent constant use of it at work from wearing it down.
With answer whistle
This type of dog clicker has a dual function. And it is that not only does it have a button to "click" but you can also whistle with it for the animal to attend or to reprimand it for some reason.
With loud sound
For dogs that get confused easily, or those that are already older or have hearing problems, these are the most advisable, especially since the sound they emit is much louder.
Of colors
Made of hard plastic but with colors, it can be an option to match the animal you train. If you also have two or more dogs, you can have one for each (since, although they all make the same sound, sometimes there are differences between them).
Julius
It is characterized by being a small object with a central button. Have oval shape to better fit the hand in such a way that you can hide it so that the dog does not detect it.
How to use a clicker to train a dog
To use a clicker for dogs, the first thing you need is to know how you are going to use it, if it is positive or negative. In case it is negative, the keyword that will accompany the sound will be NO, so that you identify that sound with something you should not do.
Instead, If it is something positive, you have to first define what it is going to be. For example, what it feels like.
Once you have chosen the training, you have to focus only on that and choose a word that, when saying it, the dog understands that there is something he must do. Therefore, sit, sit or sit are some of the chosen ones. But not the only ones. Remember to choose one that you do not use regularly so as not to confuse it.
Now, you have to provoke him to do what you want, that is, to feel. You can achieve this, for example, by making him look at the air forcing him to sit up so that you can continue looking at the object. At that moment, say the word and click the clicker.
He will not understand it the first time, but when you do it several times he will realize that there is a relationship between the word, the sound and what it does, and it will end up making it automatic, without the need for the dog clicker.
Is the clicker effective to train a dog?
Imagine an educational method. It consists of a series of actions that, according to the data that have been analyzed, work in children. But does it all work the same way? Do they all learn the same? The truth is that no.
Well that's what happens with a clicker and a dog. Every animal is different: his intelligence, predisposition, etc. They make it a very useful accessory to communicate with your pet and teach him what you want. But other times it doesn't work.
What is clear is that there are many trainers who see it as effective for training a dog. But there will be animals that do not react to this type of stimulus and you have to look for others.
In this case, you are the one who knows your dog best. If you think that it can be receptive to these stimuli, without a doubt the clicker for dogs can help you to shorten the training time even more, because it will learn faster. Otherwise, it is better to do without it and find something else that can help you focus and assimilate what you want to teach.
Where to buy dog clicker
If after everything we have told you, you consider that you need a clicker for your dog, then we suggest some stores where you can buy them.
- Amazon: It is perhaps where you will find more variety, both in design and in sizes and shapes. Their prices are also uneven, which adapts to any budget.
- kiwiko: As a specialized pet store, the dog clicker is one of the dog accessories you can buy. It doesn't have many brands, but it does have enough to find the right one according to the use and breed of dog.
- Tentenimal: Another of the pet stores that you can visit to buy a dog clicker is Tíanimal. In it you will find a few brands and designs, the best sellers and acclaimed by users.
- Zooplus: In Zooplus you will not find much variety, since its catalog is very limited. But the ones they do have are the ones that people usually buy, so you know it's widely used.
In your hand is now opting for a clicker for dogs or opt for another form of aid to training and canine training.