charge the clicker

In a nutshell, charging the clicker involves:

●  click the clicker

●  give the dog a treat

●  repeat until the dog alerts to the sound

    expecting a treat

I always start with charging the clicker, teaching the dog that the sound of the click means a treat is on the way.  This takes a little time and can vary depending on the dog.  Once the dog hears the click and quickly looks at me happily anticpating a treat I figure they have got it.

For most things I use a regular box clicker and that is the clicker I charge.  If you think your dog may be afraid of the sound or if you find out they are after you start you can muffle the sound until they get used to it.  (Belle was afraid of it at first)

The muffling method I like best is to put electrical or medical tape on the metal part of the clicker (a tip I read about from Bob Bailey).  Place small pieces of tape over the round dimple in the metal part of the clicker.  It will take layers of tape to quiet it, you will end up with a lump.  Put enough tape on it and it will become totally silent.  This not only makes it quieter but changes the tone of the click sound.  Much later when you dog loves the clicker you can start to take off a single layer at a time, very gradually getting them used to a louder click.

You can use an i-click or something else for a marker.  I like to be able to use the louder box clickers for when I am doing things at a distance.  The i-click I like for close in (clicks near ears can be loud and painful!) or when I want to be able to click with something other than my hands.

the more detailed version

Get some very yummy soft, easy to swallow treats. They should be large enough that your dog knows they got a treat, but not so large that they need to chew it.  I hold them in one hand for this, with my hand hanging at my side, the clicker in the other hand.  In one quick smooth movement press and release the clicker. (if it didn't make a sound, you pressed the wrong end : )  Immediately after the click, move your hand to give the dog a treat.  This part is important - the sound of the click is supposed to let the dog know the treat is coming, if you move your hand first then moving your hand is what will let the dog know a treat is coming.  They could start watching for you to move your hand instead of paying attention to the click.

Click the clicker, move your hand to give a treat.  Repeat this a bunch.  Sometimes I hand the treat, sometimes I will toss it on the floor.  While I am doing this, I pay attention to what the dog is doing.  I want to avoid having the dog doing the same thing each time I click and having them think it is that behavior that is getting the treat (many dogs will sit, if they have already learned to sit for a treat).  If they do sit, toss the treat so they get up and click again before they can sit.

I'll do several separate sessions of this, with 20 or so treats each time.  After a few sessions I'll test it out and wait until the dog isn't looking at me, click.  If they whip their heads to look at me expecting a treat to show up, the clicker is deemed charged.  Done, and now I can start to use it to teach them to do something.