Dogs Trust Dog School’s experienced trainers aim to provide high quality, welfare friendly advice on dog training and behaviour during our fun, educational classes. We want to help dog owners to form a life-long bond with their dogs, have a good understanding of the behaviour of their dog and avoid the common pitfalls that can lead to problem behaviours.
The clicker is a small hand-held device that makes a distinct, short sound to mark a desired behavior. (See clicker training for a more detailed discussion of this methodology.) It has gained popularity in recent years as being a means of training that does not involve physically correcting the dog, though it may be used in conjunction with these methods.
"Gentlemen, the one may be as ready to receive as the other is toreject; but has the daughter of John Plowden no voice in this cooldisposal of her person? If her guardian tires of her presence, otherhabitations may be found, without inflicting so severe a penalty on thisgentleman as to compel him to provide for her accommodation in a vesselwhich must be already straitened for room!"
In the twentieth century, formalized dog training originated in military and police applications, and the methods used largely reflected the military approach to training humans. In the middle and late part of the century, however, more research into operant conditioning and positive reinforcement occurred as wild animal shows became more popular. Aquatic mammal trainers used clickers (a small box that makes a loud click when pushed on) to "mark" desired behavior, giving food as a reward. The change in training methods spread gradually into the world of dog training. Today many dog trainers rely heavily on positive reinforcement to teach new behaviors.
"This is not a situation for a child of Harry Howard, though she kneltin the presence, and before the throne, of her sovereign. Behold, mydear Cecilia, the natural consequences of this rebellion! It scattersdiscord in their ranks; and, by its damnable leveling principles,destroys all distinction of rank among themselves; even these rash boysknow not where obedience is due!"
A training class is not there to train your dog. Its purpose is to teach you to train your dog so you will need to be committed to train your dog for short sessions (5 minutes) several times a day rather than just simply turn up for classes! This little bit of training everyday will be repaid with a lifetime of living with a well behaved dog. You will also learn to avoid problems before they begin as well as receive help to overcome any that you already have with your dog.
