www.naturallyhappydogs.com - The online dog video magazine

Wednesday 2 June 2010

Shaping, Luring and catching

What a lovely way to spend a sunny afternoon, we have been working with Swedish Vallhund 'Lady' (www.dalysdogs.co.uk/lady) showing how you can teach your dog amazing tricks by shaping, luring and catching behaviours using a clicker. While the theory behind clicker training has been around for years, it was Karen Prior, a marine mammal trainer and author of 'Don't Shoot the Dog!', who brought it to the attention of the dog owning public.

Clicker training is fantastic because it opens up a channel of communication between dog and owner and uses a positive reward as a primary reinforcer such as food. It speeds up learning and keeps it fun for both dogs and their owners.