This is a brief introduction to clicker training, explaining the basic concepts simply and concisely.
For a complete clicker training workout have a look at my WEB Special, CLICK HERE....
I will be adding to these pages on a weekly basis, so be sure to check back for each new episode.

So what is a clicker?
A clicker is a child’s toy that trainers have decided to use to reinforce an animal’s behaviour. The clicker is a small metal and plastic device that makes a double clicking sound.
Using a clicker instead of your voice gives us a tool that makes a unique sound that has never been heard before and usually doesn’t have any pre-existing associations. The signal is consistent, and deliverable with precision and from a distance. So use of the clicker allows your dog to learn that whatever behaviour causes a click will be reinforced, useful information to the dog as it predicts the availability of a reinforcer so that the behaviour is likely to be repeated. Behaviour is a function of its consequences. It is also an event marker – the click marks the behaviour as it occurs. The click also marks the end of the behaviour, and you are now ready to start again. Clicker training has another good effect on the more experienced dog, the sound of the first click becomes a context marker, or to put it informally, it tells the dog the training “game” is on and that there is a chance of reinforcement. When the clicks eventually stop, (extinction is also applied) your dog will know that the “game” has finished. What clicker training can also achieve for your dog is a change in motivation, which can result in a confidence boost!

What is Clicker Training?
Clicker Training is all about using positive reinforcement

Instead of stopping the dog from doing the wrong things, we are going to teach the dog what is safe to do. Why should the dog know what we want? Living in a modern world brings with it dangers that are unknown to the newly reared puppy. Isn’t it our duty as responsible owners to educate “mans best friend”? How to greet visitors, walk on a loose lead, sit at the kerb, be touched all over, like grooming, sit on its bed and not on the furniture if that is your rule, and above all produce a dog that is well behaved and a joy to live with!
Clicker training is no different, sets of rules are applied to an animal’s behaviour (just like learning to drive a car), with resulting consequences, which will either increase behaviour or decrease behaviour. These methods are based on Operant conditioning. It uses a conditioned reinforcer (clicker) to support the primary reinforcer (whatever your dog will work for) rather than just the primary reinforcer. But before we jump straight in and start clicker training our best friend it may be better if we start to understand a few basic rules!

There is no procedure more important in dog training than reinforcement. It is worth taking the time to describe some basic rules for using reinforcement effectively:

1. Define the target behaviour.
   Its best to literally write down a brief desrciption of the behaviour or set of behaviours that would qualify for reinforcement (i.e. a behaviour that if increased would benefit the dog and owner). In puppies you could aim for lengthening their attention span, for example.


2. Choose the appropriate reinforcers.
   Before you can reinforce target behaviour, you have to choose one or more reinforcers. The most important thing to remember is never to use negative reinforcers if positive reinforcers are available. The second thing to remember is that positive reinforcers are always available. Conditioned reinforcers such as a clicker paired with some tasty food, or a clicker paired with a chew tug game will be just the job for increasing that desired behaviour.


3. Make the reinforcement immediate and certain (click and treat).
   Using a clicker allows you to mark the behaviour just as it happens. The more closely that reinforcement follows the target behaviour the more likely it is to be effective. Any delay in delivering the signal may result in the wrong behaviours being reinforced. For example, puppy sits and you click and treat. If you delay the chances are that the puppy has stood up, scratched, barked, or otherwise added some unwanted behaviour. By certain I refer to the fact that the more likely the target behaviour is to result in reinforcement the more rapidly the behaviour is to increase in strength. In other words the best results are usually obtained when reinforcement is almost certain to occur when the target behaviour occurs, but is unlikely to occur otherwise.


4. Observe the results
   Observing the results is an essential part of the training process. Learning to perceive the difference that makes the difference. Learning to observe your dog, when to reinforce or not, and when to raise your criteria will become easier with time and experience. As will, most importantly, having the patience to allow your dog to work through these procedures so that it will heighten your dog’s performance and improve his creativity for learning.

Learning to perceive the difference that makes the difference is known as the “art of reinforcement” and the only way of achieving fantastic results is to go out and do it, as reading about it doesn’t give the practice that you require.
I would suggest finding a training partner who can observe your performance and give you general guidance with your timing and movement around your dog.
Try clicking one of your family with their movements, the goal behaviour for example would be to get the clicks right on target. Click somebody walking, clicking when his or her left foot hits the ground, and then try the right foot. Have a friend bounce a ball and you have to click just as the ball hits the ground, then click when the ball is half way up from the bounce, and see how many you can get on target. Try throwing the ball onto a wall some distance from you and try to click just as the ball hits the wall, this will help for distance work, as getting the timing right is crucial.
Stephen G King Copywrite 2008

Once the children go back to school after their summer vacations there seems to be an increase in dog behaviour problems reported each year. You could say that during those holidays’ periods, dogs do get a lot of attention from the immediate family with lots of family trips and lots of excitement, then the relationship really cools down as the kids go back to school and us adults go back to work and of course its hard for the dog to understand that situation.

To remedy this situation, as prevention is better than cure, there are a couple of easy things to do:

1, Use an enrichment program to keep them busy

2, Train your dog using a Home Training Program ™

Start to take the Home Training Program ™ training sessions out and about making sure that you have the right equipment.

Three essential bits of kit for outside training:

1, A dog training lead specifically designed for the purpose, click here….

2, Cotton Web Training Leads, click here….

3, If need be use a head collar, click here….

For recall practice the cotton web training leads are essential.

Of course you could take your dog to a training class to further reinforce what you are doing in the Home Training Program ™.

For APDT courses in your area click here

Is it, dog owners or dogs that are to blame?

Depending what case that you are referring to, but it seems that the dog always gets it in the neck every time. Education is a wonderful thing they say, well why not have a “Dog Owning Licence” where potential owners learn about what ALL dogs are about, such as they bark, growl and bite quite naturally as well as hunt, fish and shoot!
When you have mastered/ passed your theory and practical you are then allowed to own a certain breed of dog. Those people that require a Guarding type breed should progress onto further education that allows the potential owner to fully grasp the responsibility for such types of breed. Then and only then can it be said that we have responsible dog ownership. I believe that prevention is better than cure and if people were made to take responsibility for the dogs’ actions then perhaps they would think twice about buying a powerful large breed dog?

I also wonder if there will be some “knee-jerk” reaction from the Government about the Dangerous Dogs Act? The Home Secretary can add any of the breeds to the existing 1991 Dangerous Dog Act without further recourse to parliament.

Existing legislation does require the owners to take responsibility, and are such that the penalties imposed if found guilty are not heavy enough (except for the dog of course!) and in the case of the two pub dogs the DDA would not apply as the act only covers “a public place”. The roof of the pub could not be considered as a place where the public may be allowed. The old 1871 act would have to be applied of which I suspect would carry a low maximum penalty. Of course you could argue that a punishment that is delivered months after the event will not have the desired deterrent?

On a personnel note, I believe that doing away with the old dog licence has had the effect of demeaning the responsibility of dog ownership and therefore need to return to some form of “dog ownership licence”; like a driving licence, and charge a proper fee for it and of course all the education that needs to go with it!
For a balanced perspective go to: Guardian

Stephen G King © 2006

Copyright Ian Billinghurst.

Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia and Shoulder Dysplasia; these, and a host of related bone and joint diseases continue to mount their attacks on young dogs, particularly pups of the larger breeds, despite mass radiography and ruthless culling. What are we doing wrong? Why do these problems appear and reappear in supposedly disease-free lines? Our failure to eliminate Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, despite elaborate and costly schemes aimed at their eradication, compels us to ask… “Are our efforts entirely misdirected?” Should we be looking elsewhere for a solution?

Are we barking up the wrong tree?
To find out…Read More…

Copyright © Ian Billinghurst

There are a number of myths concerning the physiology of companion animals, which are being used by pet food companies to sell their products. These myths are being used to persuade the owners of pet animals to feed only modern cooked and otherwise processed (usually grain-based) foods. These myths are being presented as fact and accepted as such, when there is not a single scrap of evidence to verify their truth. This is highly unfortunate for our pets.

These myths or lies have become accepted by most pet owners, dog breeders and indeed vets as being a part of natural indisputable scientific law, when in fact, they have very little or no basis in fact. They are at best, half-truths, blatant errors of fact; at worst, they are downright lies.

Read More…....

If your dog goes missing and is lost, your dog is likely to be picked up by
a local authority dog warden, an animal welfare or rescue organisation or the police. These people can read your dog’s collar and telephone you to let you know that your dog’s safe or if you have your dog micro chipped, they can contact you using the Kennel Club’s Petlog database, 365 days of the year.
Other ways to help find your pet are:
• Telephoning Petlog immediately if your dog is micro chipped on 0870 606 6751;
• Searching the area where your dog likes his walks and play.
• Leaving your details and a picture/description of your pet with as many people as possible, especially those delivering letters, newspapers and milk
• Advertising in the ‘Lost’ section of local newspapers – read the ‘Found’ adverts too
• Calling the dog warden, local vet or police station
• Visiting nearby animal welfare and rescue centres. Ensure you look into each enclosure
• Calling radio stations that announce lost and found pets
• Visiting the website: www.doglost.co.uk
• Putting up posters in pet shops, vets, supermarkets, restaurants, local stores and post offices
• Keeping an up-to-date photograph of your pet in this booklet
• Not restricting your search to just one small area. Dogs can stray for long distances.

Your legal responsibility as a dog owner

As a responsible dog owner, it is important for you to meet with the requirements of the law. There are a number of Acts and Orders which all dog owners should be aware of.
Control
• Town Police Clauses Act 1847 (outside London) and Metropolitan Police Act 1839 (London)
These Acts make it an offence to allow an unmuzzled, ferocious dog to be left at large, or for a person to set on or to urge any dog attack, worry or put in fear any person or animal in the street.

• Dogs Act 1871
Under this Act, a court may, upon complaint that a dog is dangerous and not kept under proper control, order the owner to keep him under proper control or to be destroyed.

• Animals Act 1971
Under this Act a dog may be shot, without warning, by a farmer for worrying his livestock and the owner could face criminal prosecution for the same offence under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.

• Road Traffic Act 1988
This makes it an offence to have a dog on a designated road without the dog being held on a lead.

• Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005
This Act allows local authorities to designate areas of land where dogs must be kept on leads, or where dogs are excluded and also place limits on the number of dogs walked by a single person.

• Guard Dogs Act 1975
It is an offence to use or permit the use of a guard dog on any premises unless the handler, who is capable of controlling him, is present on the premises and the dog is under control. The dog must be secured so that he is not at liberty to go about the premises. A warning that a guard dog is present must be clearly exhibited at each entrance to the premises.

• Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA) 1991
There are two main sections to this Act. Section 1 applies to four specific breeds of dog including ‘the type of dog known as the pit bull terrier’. Owners of these breeds had to comply with certain legal requirements, including having their dog registered, neutered, microchipped and tattooed. One of the main problems with this law is that the pit bull terrier is not a recognised breed in the UK. As a result, many owners of cross breeds which resemble a pit bull terrier ‘type’ have been charged under the Act.

Section 3 applies to all dogs, making it a criminal offence to allow a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place. This includes instances where there is fear that an injury might occur.
Owners found guilty under either section of the Act could have their dog destroyed, face the possibility of six months in prison and/or a fine not exceeding level 5 (at present up to £5,000).

Responsible Ownership
• Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005
Local authorities have the power to introduce and enforce dog fouling byelaws under which a person in charge of a dog can be heavily fined for allowing dogs to foul in a public place. This designated land may include roads, parks and other public areas within the local authority’s boundaries; in fact any land which is open to the air and to which the public are permitted to have access. An offence is committed if a person in charge of a dog fails to clean up its faeces. It is no defence to claim ignorance of the dog’s actions, the law, or not to have a device available to remove the faeces. This could result in a prosecution and fine.

Protection of Animals
There are several Acts on the Statute Book which protect dogs from ill treatment, among them are the following:

• The Protection of Animals Act 1911
This makes it an offence to cruelly beat, kick, ill treat, torture, infuriate or terrify any animal. It is also an offence by action or omission to cause unnecessary suffering, or, being the owner, permit any unnecessary suffering to be caused to the animal. This Act was amended to allow an owner to be banned from keeping a dog either for life or for such a period as the court thinks fit.

• Abandonment of Animals Act 1960
This Act extends the definition of cruelty to include abandonment of an animal.

A Dog’s Wish Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Don’t break my spirit with a stick, for though I might lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music. As you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when the sound of your footsteps fall upon my waiting ears.

Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

Keep my bowl filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.

Feed me clean food that I may stay well. To romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

And, my friend, when I am very old and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing, and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun. Please see to it that my life is taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.

Author Unknown

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience.

Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.

Take naps and stretch before rising.

Run, romp and play daily.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you’re not.

If you want what lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit
close by and nuzzle them gently.

Thrive on attention.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On hot days drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.

When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

No matter how often you’re scolded, don’t buy into the guilt thing and pout.

Run right back and make friends.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Author Unknown

1992 No. 901 DOGS CONTROL OF DOGS
The Control of Dogs Order 1992 (Made 19th March 1992 Coming into force 1st April 1992)

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in relation to England, the Secretary of State for Scotland in relation to Scotland, and the Secretary of State for Wales in relation to Wales, in exercise of the powers conferred on them by sections 13(2) and (3) and 72 of the Animal Health Act 1981[1] and of all other powers enabling them in that behalf, hereby make the following Order:
Title and commencement

1. This Order may be cited as the Control of Dogs Order 1992 and shall come into force on 1st April 1992.
Wearing of collars by dogs 2.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2) below, every dog while in a highway or in a place of public resort shall wear a collar with the name and address of the owner inscribed on the collar or on a plate or badge attached to it. (2) Paragraph (1) above shall not apply to— (a) Any pack of hounds, (b) Any dog while being used for sporting purposes, (c) Any dog while being used for the capture or destruction of vermin, (d) Any dog while being used for the driving or tending of cattle or sheep, (e) Any dog while being used on official duties by a member of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces or Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise or the police force for any area, (f) Any dog while being used in emergency rescue work, or (g) Any dog registered with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

Offences

3. The owner of a dog or the person in charge of a dog who, without lawful authority or excuse, proof of which shall lie on him, causes or permits the dog to be in a highway or in a place of public resort not wearing a collar as prescribed in article 2(1) above shall be guilty of an offence against the Animal Health Act 1981.
Seizure of dogs 4. Any dog in respect of which an offence is being committed against this Order may be seized and treated as a stray dog under section 3 of the Dogs Act 1906[2] or under section 149 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Enforcement 5. —(1) This Order shall be executed and enforced by the officers of a local authority (and not by the police force for any area).

(2) In this article "local authority" and "officer" have the same meaning as in section 149 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Revocations
6. The Orders specified in the Schedule to this Order are hereby revoked to the extent specified in column 3 of that Schedule.

The Control of Dogs Order 1992 says that all dogs must wear a collar and an identity tag in a public place. The identity tag must show the name and address of the owner. You can be fined up to £5,000 for this offence. Your dog must still wear an identity tag even if it is micro chipped.