A clicker is just a training tool that helps you communicate with your dog. The clicker makes a short, sharp sound, which communicates to your dog that it is doing something you like.
Once your dog has learned that each click earns a treat (you do this by pairing clicking with a treat a number of times, in different locations so the dog doesn't think that it only happens in one room) you can now start to train any behaviours you want, such as 'SIT'. Simply click the moment the dog sits and then give a treat.
When your dog begins to understand what the clicker means, he/she will start throwing you lots of different behaviours, in the hope that you will click. The dog thinks that it is training you to click, and you think that you are training him — very simple, but lot of fun.
If you'd like to learn more about Clicker Training, please visit the Get S.M.A.R.T Dogs website for more information. (Please note: this link will open a new browser window.)
