Do you want to know how to clicker train your Vizsla fast?

I understand how you feel… I spent 12 months with an ‘out of control’ boy before I found relief.

Whatever kind of dog you have, clicker dog training is one of the most effective and impressive methods for controlling and dictating a dog’s behaviour when trying to teach them basic commands. It takes very little time to master clicker training and with a well operated clicker, you can teach your dog nearly anything.

The Theory Behind Clicker Training

The concept behind clicker training is that you are training the dog to link the sound of the clicker - a strong, pointed sound that they can hear from 20+ yards away - with a particular command you give. The point of the training is to mark particular desirable behavior and then reward it with the sound of the clicker.

Naturally clicker dog obedience training doesn’t commence with a clicker. You’ve got to first teach your dog the clicker is a reward for good behavior. This is often done with a bag of treats and an easy, 2 buck clicker from your local pet shop.

Why should you follow this method?

* Your Vizsla will connect the clicker with ‘doing a good job’ and ‘receiving a treat’ only

* Verbal commands are given in many different situations - this can cause confusion in your dog’s mind and therefore verbal commands are often not as strong as a clicker response

Clicker Training - The Method

There are 3 very simple steps to train your dog to respond to a clicker.

Step 1. Get the behavior - ask your Vizsla to do something you want. It can be sitting, staying, lying down, or whatever other behaviours you are attempting to teach.

Step 2. After you’ve gotten them to perform their behaviour, mark it with a click.

Step 3. Offer a reward.

It generally takes only 2 or 3 markings before your dog learns the connection between the behavior and the click.

Once the dog has done the behaviour and received their reward, continue doing it to reinforce the behaviour as much as possible. You do not have to use treats every time. Praise and petting work just as well and can eventually replace the behaviour.

Clicker dog obedience training works really well because they will instantly reply, allowing you to reward them and straight away instill it in their minds. An oral command will take a bit of time to get through.

Transitioning towards a Command

Once your Vizsla has associated the new behaviour with the click - it is time to transition to a command.

Step 1. Say the command Step 2. Click Step 3. Give a Reward

Your dog will quickly learn to associate all 3 steps.

Ultimately, with good clicker training, your Vizsla will respond to oral cues and praise for behaviour without the need for treats.

As you might imagine, clicker training has a considerable number of applications. It can make training your Vizsla a lot easier. With a simple, sharp command, you can mark and reinforce nearly any behaviour.

The question is, can you change your Vizsla’s annoying behaviours for good? Yes you can! Check out Andrew Cox’s free e-book on How To STOP Your Vizsla’s Obedience Issues For Good!, and become the alpha dog. Check here for free reprint licence: Vizsla Clicker Training.

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Filed under: Dogs

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