The point of clicker training is first to teach that dog that click = treat will follow -you have to 'load' the clicker first - i.e click, then treat immediately (with something tasty, not just dry food! Liver cake, etc) lots of times until the dog hears the click and is expecting the treat... once he knows this, you can use the 'click' to mark the behaviour you want to reinforce (whatever that is, although it's best initially to click on one thing). For example, if you want your dog to not jump up when someone comes to the door, you use the clicker to reinforce a behaviour that you want to replace it with (sitting calmly, or lying on his bed).

The trick is in the timing, the click has to come at exactly the right moment or you could inadvertantly reward the wrong behaviour. An example - I was trying to teach my dog to stand on command, and unfortunately as I clicked him for standing, he barked at the same instant -it took him a frustrating amount of trial and error before he realised it wasn't the barking I wanted!

A clicker is a powerful tool in the right hands - I recommend you find a clicker class or read up on it (there are a few clicker training websites) if it's something that appeals to you.

The other thing is that the reward doesn't have to be a treat, with clicker training - it could be as suggested, a ball or toy, if that is more motivating for your dog

Sophie
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