A lot!

Let me first explain how clicker training works and then highlight where Pavlov’s findings come in…

How Clicker Training Works

Let’s say you want to reinforce or teach your dog a specific behavior such as sitting, standing, barking, eating, or even just looking at you (for those of you who have distracted dogs).

Your purpose is to apply the clicker training method to achieve this.

In this method, the trainer uses a clicker which is a small plastic box with a metal button which makes a distinctive click sound when you press the button.

So, here are the typical steps:

Step #1 – Trigger the behavior you want or simply let occur naturally.

Step #2 – Immediately click the clicker to ‘mark’ the behavior. Repeat this a few times and you may see your dog visibly startle, look towards the treat, or look to you. This indicates that the association is being formed.

Step #3 – Give a small piece of his favorite treat. Don’t give a big piece because your dog will soon grow fatand ugly…yucks! (You might give a hug instead of a treat if that’s what your animal likes.)

Step #4 – Cue the behavior – such as “sit” or “down” etc.

Step #5 – Slowly reduce and fade the clicker and treats.

Alright, now let’s look at:

Where  do Pavlov’s findings come in?

Like Pavlov’s experiments where he associate the ringing of the bell with presenting food to his dog…

… in the ‘clicker training’ method, you associate the click with presenting of food.

Technically, this is known as a conditioned response.

Well, frankly, I don’t want to go into all that stuff. But if you are really serious about ‘clicker training’, then click on the image below:

Have you heard of Ivan Pavlov?

Here’s Ivan Pavlov’s famous “conditioned response” experiment:

Pavlov is a Russian scientist who conditioned dogs to initiate a salivary response to the sound of a bell. He measured the amount of salivation in response to only food. He continued by ringing a bell as he gave the food.

Once again, he detected a salivary response. At last, by just ringing the bell, he observed the same response as having presented food to the dogs – salivation. These experiments defined what has been a “conditioned response”.

It is this same principle that makes our our mouths water when we smell food :-)

So, how do Pavlov’s findings got to do with training your dog?

It is also this same principle that the clicker method is based upon… (see Part 2, the next article which will soon be posted, so please stay tuned).

Dog collars and straps are a ‘must have’ for your dog.

Not only is it an essential equipment in the process of training your dog, it is also used for identity, fashion, or other purposes. Identity tags and medical information are often placed on dog collars.

In addition, collars are also useful for controlling a dog manually especially used together with a leash, as they provide a handle for grabbing.

Nowadays, dog collars are available in various forms, dimensions and fashions, and style. Which one to choose depends upon your preference and your puppy’s behavior.

Here are some commonly used collars you can choose from:

1) The buckle collar: This is the typical dog collar. You can use any cloth to make up a buckle collar to have a variety of colors and designs. Your dog’s name may be stitched on top of the collar for identity purpose. Buckle collar is made up of a sequence of spaced holes, and the buckle is fixed firmly for the desired size.

2) Choke Collar: The choke collar is a length of metal-link chain with a large circular ring on either end. The chain is slid through one of these rings and it is slid over the dog’s head. When the dog displays an undesirable behavior the collar is tightened. This is primarily used in traditional dog training.

3) Prong Collar: The prong collar is made of metal links that fit together by connecting through long, usually blunt, teeth that point inward toward the dog’s neck. A section of this collar is made of a loop of chain links that tighten the collar when pulled, pinching the dog’s neck.

4) GPS Collar: The GPS collar basically tells you where your dog is when you have lost your pet and it is a better device as you can track on your own. Dogs are not prone to stay at a particular place and they move around when they hear a sound or sense something.

Before starting out, you should know your dog trainig options.

That’s because nowadays, you can find numerous types of training which are different in price as well as different in what they have to offer.

Here, I will share with you FOUR types of dog training:

#1 – PUPPY PRESCHOOL

The first type of dog training is known as puppy preschool. This is a dog training course meant for puppies that are about 6 weeks to 5 months old. These puppy preschool classes generally last for no more than 6 to 8 weeks.

In these training sessions, your puppy is essentially taught how to socialize with people and as well as other puppies.

Here your puppy also begins to learn how to sit down, stay at a place, and how to come.

#2 – BASIC DOG TRAINING

The second type of dog training course is meant for the dogs that are at least 5 months old. This type of dog training is known as the basic dog training. The duration of these classes is usually about 8 to 10 weeks.

This is the basic course, where your dog is taught the art of walking properly on a leash, sitting, staying, coming and heeling.

#3 – INTERMEDIATE DOG TRAINING

The third type of dog training course is known as the intermediate dog training. This dog training aims at teaching the dog mostly the same things that are taught in the basic training course, in a more detailed form.

Here the dog is trained to stay for a longer span of time, and is also taught to follow the orders given by other people.

This training generally lasts for about 8 to 10 weeks, and is meant for those that are no less than 5 months old.

It is essential for the dog to have completed its basic dog training course, or to be accustomed to the basic commands that could have been taught by the owner.

#4 – ADVANCED DOG TRAINING

The next type of training course is known as the advanced dog training course. Here, once again, the course is quite similar to its previous one, ie. the intermediate dog training course, except for the fact that this time it is more detailed. Here, the dog is taught how to sit even without you in the view.

This training course is about 8 to 10 weeks long, and is meant for those that have completed their intermediate training. Here, they are also trained to walk beside their owners without a leash. Moreover, it gradually prepares the dog to take the Canine Good Citizen training course.

#5 – CANINE GOOD CITIZEN TRAINING

The Canine Good Citizen training for dogs is the last course. To pass this course, your dog will be taught the 10 necessary aspects.

This course is strictly meant for those dogs that have completed all the previous courses. The test is quite tough and can only be passed if the dog is really well behaved. Depending on whether your dog can pass, the course can last for several weeks.

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Well… the above are the five types of dog training classifications.

With the above in mind, now you can select the dog training option best suited for your dog. However, you should also seek the consensus of your local dog training instructors for their opinion. Many trainers consult for free.

So now you should be at least a step closer to training your dog formally!

Best of luck :)

Every dog owner must take up dog training to know and handle a dog better.

Appreciating a well-mannered dog is something that all can do, training is what makes things difficult. Now, there are many kinds of dog training available but not all will suit your dog.

Most dog owners and also people in general are unaware of the various kinds of dog trainings provided. The types of dog training change with the varying stages of development in the dog.

While some dogs have never been trained, some others have already undertaken training before. Therefore, it becomes all the more essential to analyze and know what type of dog training your dog needs.

The first level of dog training…

is the basic dog training. The basic training is meant for beginners — either a puppy or a grown-up dog that is being trained for the first time. This level includes only the rudiments — how to make a dog sit, stay and come when called. Some part of it also aims at teaching the dog to socialize with other dogs and people in a proper way. This is particularly given to puppies. And if your dog had never taken training before, this basic level is where to start with.

The next level is the intermediate level.

This level of dog training is not for puppies, but for those adult dogs that have undertaken the basics either formally or at home by their own owners. This intermediate type of training trains a dog to heel, walk properly on a leash, fetch something and return. It also revises the basics of sitting, staying and coming etc.

The third and final type of dog training is…

the advanced course. This level is only meant for those dogs which have been through a minimum of one training course before and have passed it too. Here, in the advanced level, the different elements of the basic and intermediate courses are revised in details right at the start of the course. Then it goes to train the dog to act according to various commands and hand signals like “come”, “stay”, “sit”, “heel”, “fetch”, “lie down” et al.

When the dog gets accustomed to hand signals, the advanced course takes care of teaching the dog how to walk and stay beside the master at all times even without a leash. It also teaches the dog to have focus in its master, that is, to pay attention and stop getting distracted. The advanced level of dog training is usually suited to very obedient and well-mannered dogs.

Like all good trainings, dog trainings should also have motivators like prizes and rewards to yield better and more positive results. Hitting and yelling at the dog to make it pick up one action is not a wise technique while training. Instead of being a success, chances are that it will give negative output. So you must make sure that the dog training you assign your dog is a positive one, which indulges in positive strategies.

You must also be careful about choosing the right course for your dog—the course best-suited to it. That way, you may soon be able to boast of owning a dog that is obedient, well-mannered, well adjusted and the perfect pet one can have!

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