There are no two views about the need for training pet dogs. However, there are disagreements over training methods. There are numerous dog training methods available, each having its own group of proponents and opponents or critiques, so it all comes down to the dog owners.
It is the responsibility of dog owners to choose the right training method for their pets. The best way to do it is to learn about the various dog training methods and pick the best one from them. To help you do that, here we’re going to highlight some of the major pros and cons of clicker training, a highly popular form of positive reinforcement dog training method.
The Pros of Dog Clicker Training
- It works for dogs of all breeds and ages.
- The rewarding experience it offers to dogs encourages them to learn the desired behaviors quickly and display them repeatedly.
- Since clicker training is reward-based, it keeps the dog engaged and motivated, allowing owners and trainers to carry out extended training sessions.
- Dog clicker training does not involve using punishment or anything that harms the dog in any way, physically, psychologically, or emotionally. Hence, it helps establish a healthy and strong relationship between the dog and the owner.
- It doesn’t require a special setup or a certain type of environment. Clicker training can be carried out anywhere at any time.
- It helps avoid inflection issues that are common with voice commands and often confuse dogs.
The Cons of Dog Clicker Training
- The biggest potential downside of clicker training is that it can lead to the consistent or repeated display of learned behaviors in the desire for a reward if not done the right way.
- It’s simple to use a clicker for basic obedience training, but you need more knowledge and practice, especially with regards to timing and coordination, to teach more advanced tricks and behaviors to your dog.
- It can condition your dog to the clicker’s sound, which then would make it difficult to make them obey your commands without using the clicker.
The Final Word
Dog clicker training may have certain downsides and can take a while (especially for new dog parents) to get the hang of it. But, once you learn to use the clicker the right way, the process of training a dog becomes less overwhelming and more enjoyable. Professional dog trainers can help with that. Get in touch with a trainer experienced in dog clicker training to learn the right way of doing it.
