Clicker training is something we advocate and is a training aid Carole and Sue have been using for some time. Clicker training is a term used to describe a way of training dogs that has become increasingly popular in the last decade. A clicker is a small plastic device with a metal strip that makes a sharp, clicking sound when pushed and released. It has a unique sound that doesn't get lost in the large number of sounds your dog hears during their walks, training sessions etc. It is faster than saying "Good dog!" and allows you to point to the action for which the dog is being praised. Whilst there are a variety of clickers available the type we use is the I-Click.  The first step in using this type of training is to get the dog to associate the click sound with a treat they really like. Click and treat a number of times until your dog begins to look for the treat when they hear the click. Eventually your dog will associate the click as praise, you are then ready to begin using clicker training with your dog. In order to reinforce the desired action, you must first get your dog to carry out the action. Some behaviours occur naturally, for example sitting, lying down , jumping and barking. The type of training using your dogs natural behaviour is known as shaping training, we have a section to explain how to use this behaviour to your advantage. The second type of training is target training, where your dog focuses on an object, (the target) to carry out the actions you wish them to perform, again we have a section on this subject.