Over the years there has been a change in dog training. It has become milder and kinder to the trainer and the dog. The use of force or intimidation to get a dog to comply has come under close scrutiny and been found lacking. Dog education, or training, is more a matter of two individuals learning a common language and being able to communicate fully. The individuals, in this case, are a dog and his owner.

Clicker training is an innovative, scientifically grounded method that uses operant conditioning to elicit predictable, positive behaviors from your dog. The clicker is a tool to teach your dog what you expect from him, quickly and gently. Clicker training teaches your dog learn to think. Treats and other positive reinforcements will guide your dog to make the desired decisions. (that would be the ones you want) Forcing a dog to obey (or child, either) does not help them develop either brainpower or problem-solving abilities.

A plus with this method is that it is the quickest and most reliable way to train your dog. At first you use food treats and with the clicker. You and your dog will enjoy it and look forward to the sessions, too. When your dog knows how to learn what you are asking of him, he will be your willing partner and there will be no reason to force, push, intimidate or punish to get him to comply.

Once you enjoy the enhanced relationship that is a result of training with a clicker and treats, you may be so enthralled with the process that you continue training your dog way past the basic sit, stay or activity control that prompts many people to work with their dog. You may decide to actually go on to learn tricks to show off to friends, compete in obedience trials or enjoy canine freestyle dance.

Some people can't envision the process of teaching their dog to do something without physically pushing or pulling their dog into the desired posture or position. But manually positioning your dog is totally unnecessary.

Keep in mind that positive reinforcement has been used for years with circus and aquarium animals. How would you put a training collar on a dolphin and pull it over a hurtle to teach it to jump? Same goes for your dog. Teach him to think and you won't be stuck in the mind set that force equals power. He won't be afraid of you or dread training sessions. With treats and a clicker you can have an enthusiastic partner instead of a wary opponent.

Just like with a dolphin or whale, clicker training for dogs is not dependent on the size or strength of the trainer since there are no physical corrections or body handling. Using a clicker for training is quickly learned and implemented, increasing the learning pace for owners as well as their dogs.

You may be asking "OK, What is a clicker?" Well, have you ever had a little kids toy that is like a tin bug-cricket or such with a metal tab? You push on the tab and it makes a sound like a cricket.

That is basically what I am talking about. A dog training clicker is a little box, usually made of plastic, with a little metal flap that causes a click when it is pressed. The clack sound is first connected to a reward by clicking and immediately giving your dog a treat. After a few repetitions the association of the sound and the food makes your dog recognize the click as a good thing-meaning reward coming!!!! Yum.

Clicker training works by giving you a very powerful way to communicate with your dog. You click at the exact moment when your dog does what you want him to do. You can "mark" the desired behavior-even at a distance-because your dog knows that he will get a reward for the click sound.

Since you click first and then reward your dog, he will learn to work for the sound of the click and let that sound shape his movements-trying to find the behavior you want so he will get his reward.

The power of the technique comes from being able to clearly mark the specific action that is wanted and reward it. The click can -and must-come at the very moment the dog does the desired act. This empowers him. He can make the click sound off and produce a reward. The dog gets excited about the learning process both because he can understand exactly what he is doing right and because it gives him the opportunity to make the click (and treat) happen over and over again.

So whether you are a new dog owner/trainer or a veteran, you can learn this simple and effective way to communicate with your dog. Watch check my additional articles outlining the clicker training process and follow along to create a happy fun relationship with your well-adjusted, well mannered canine friend.