Clicker Training Problems and Solutions

Clicker training works. It's very effective. If you're having troubles getting clicker training to work, chances are you're doing something wrong.

Here're some common problems you might encounter and their solutions. Don't be quick to dismiss any of these solutions! If you're experiencing any of these problems chances are that these solutions are the solution!

Problem:

He was making good progress with a behavior or trick, but now he seems to have forgotten what to do.

Solution:

Start from square one again. He might be confused or need reminding on what to do. Go back to kindergarten and teach him the behavior from the beginning.

Problem:

He isn't learning what I'm trying to teach him.

Solution:

This could be one of two things:

1. Your timing needs to be improved. In clicker training, you must click the very moment he does the action you're trying to teach him!

For example, if you're teaching him to sit, click the instant his bum makes contact with the ground, or even a split-second before. This way, you're using the clicker to tell him that he will earn a treat for lowering his bum to the ground and putting it on the ground. If you click late, he may already be standing up again, in which case you're telling him that standing up is what you want him to do. Which isn't what you want at all! Whatever action you click is what you'll get more of!

2. You aren't being patient enough. Dogs are incredibly smart. It only takes a few training sessions to teach a dog to sit. However, if you're teaching him to go to his mat, or to rollover, or to go and get you a drink from the fridge, it will take quite a few training sessions to teach! For example, it might take you a hundred training sessions over the time span of a few weeks to teach your dog a complex behavior like going and getting you a drink from the fridge. So teach in very small steps, and if the behavior is complex be patient and remember it will take multiple training sessions to teach it to him.

Problem:

He's losing interest or wandering off during training sessions.

Solution:

This is probably due to one of four reasons:

1. Your training for too long. Keep training sessions short, about 5 to 6 minutes each. And have four or five of these short training sessions every day. Or, if you work all day, one in the morning and a few at night.

2. You aren't clicking and treating him frequently enough. If you aren't clicking and treating him often he'll get frustrated and give up and wander away or lose interest. You need to make it easy for him to succeed! Take baby steps towards your final goal, and make it easy for him to earn clicks and treats - so that he's getting them frequently! Click and treat small steps in the right direction until he makes it to the final goal.

3. He doesn't LOVE the treats. Use high-value treats during training sessions. Keep these hihg-value treats especially for training sessions. He'll work much harder and longer for treats he loves!

4. Don't feed him before training sessions. If you feed your dog right before a training session he won't be as motivated by the treats. If he's hungry he'll train a lot harder.

Problem:

He's scared of the clicker.

Solution:

If your dog is timid he might be scared or startled by the noise the clicker makes. Try clicking with the clicker in your pocket to reduce the volume of the click. Eventually you can bring it out of your pocket as he gets use to it. Or try using a pen that clicks, as the clicker, instead of an actual clicker.