How To Clicker Train A Puppy
09.01.23 January 09, 2023 Top Tips

How To Clicker Train A Puppy

For those of you aware of Pavlov’s dog, you can understand why classical conditioning is an effective training mechanism. Replace Pavlov’s bell with a clicker and use dog treats as a reward for good behaviour and you’re left with the premise of clicker training. Clicker training is a reward-based training method in which a clicker notifies your dog that they have done the right thing. A clicker is a small device that makes a distinct clicking sound. This device is used to form an association with a reward, such as a dog treat or a toy - Police scent dogs will often work for a tennis ball. Whereas at first a reward is always given after a click, over time your dog will eventually begin to interpret the click as a reward in itself for showing positive behaviour. While many people question why they should use a clicker at all instead of a reward, a clicker lets your dog know exactly when they’ve shown the right behaviour, helping them to learn at a faster rate than more traditional training methods. For instance, when you reward your dog with a treat for responding to a sitting command, they have done other things such as stand up by the time they receive their treat. As a result, they can get confused, as they may have misinterpreted the reward for standing instead of sitting. The sound of a click should be implemented while your dog is showing good behaviour, not afterwards. Unlike the traditional method mentioned above, a clicker can mark the exact moment your pet has responded correctly to a command.   When To Start Clicker Training A Puppy You can start to train your puppy as early as eight weeks, however, you should note that the time it takes to train your puppy could depend on their age, temperament, gender and breed. It’s important to not get frustrated if your puppy isn’t learning the commands as quickly as you hoped, for it’s all about repetition and patience. Rely on the positive reinforcement of the clicker and treat and eventually, your puppy will begin to pick things up.   How To Start Clicker Training A Puppy Remember that when it comes to clicker training, timing is everything - click at the exact moment your dog responds correctly to your demand. Also, if the treat you are offering is food, you should cut down the amount of food they consume daily so that they don’t put on weight, you can even use some of their dry food to help them with their training. With that in mind, implement the following steps to clicker-train your puppy: Before starting the training process, you need to teach your dog that the click means a reward. Simply take your dog somewhere quiet (without any distractions), press down the clicker just once and give them a reward immediately after. Do not click if your dog is showing discouraging behaviour. Repeat this process for a few days, in bouts of around two minutes a few times throughout the day. Continue this step until they look at you as if to expect a reward immediately after you click, now you can start to teach them new tricks! Once your dog has associated a click with a reward, you can move on to some basic training. Start with a simple command like sitting down. Hold the thing that motivates your four-legged friend, whether that’s a treat or dog toy, and move it back over your dog’s head slowly. This method is called lying and should make your dog sit back instinctively. Press your clicker as soon as their bottom touches the floor so they become aware of the command they are being rewarded for. Give them their reward immediately after the click.  Once you have succeeded in luring your dog to sit down, add the word ‘sit’ and continue the training with a reward. Each time you lure your dog, say ‘sit’ in a loud but affirmative tone and as you did in Step Two, click and give your dog their treat as soon as their bottom touches the floor. After you have practised this a few times throughout the day, try and command them by saying ‘sit’ without the lure and see if they have learnt the association. Continue doing these exercises in short bursts of up to 10 minutes, although younger puppies may need shorter training sessions. Eventually, your dog will learn to automatically sit when they hear the ‘sit’ command. Once you are confident your dog has learnt to sit properly, start to reduce the number of times you reward your dog with a treat after the click. By now, the click will have become a reward in itself and you won’t need to acknowledge their good behaviour with a treat every time. There you have it - the simple process of click training.    Top Clicker Training Tips Timing is key! - Make sure to click as soon as your dog performs the command so they associate the click with what they've just done Reward every time - when they first start training rewarding every time is key, as they get more advanced you can begin to gamble with treats but to start with consistency is key. Studies have shown the key difference between professional dog trainers and your average pet owners is the number of treats and rewards, professional dog trainers tend to give their dogs many more treats when practising commands with them. Word Association - Saying 'sit' or 'down' won't mean anything to your dog to start with, it will take them time to begin associating the words with the action Keep the treats small - treats are great but you don't want your dog to put on loads of weight either, reducing their food intake or using their dry food as a treat is a great way to reward them and keep their calorie intake down End on a positive note - to keep training fun for both you and your pet make sure to end every session on a positive so even if they haven't quite gotten the hang of everything you've done that day they still go away feeling happy  Phase the treats out - once your pup has mastered a trick start slowly phasing the treats out, they will begin to associate the sound of the click as a reward and won't need the treat every time   How Does Clicker Training Help? Teaching your dog to sit using a clicker is just one example of a command they can learn. There are other behaviours that can be taught with this method and many other training accessories available for your puppy. However, teach your dog only one or two commands at a time and don’t move on until they are fully confident with them. Other examples include: Look - training your dog to look at you. Stay - asking your dog to stay in the same place without moving. Paw - opening your hand and ask your dog to place his paw in it. Lie down - luring your pet into a lying position. Roll over - encouraging your dog to roll over from a lying position Drop - getting your dog to drop something from its mouth. Leave it - getting your dog to move away from something they're about to pick up  Bed - getting your dog on their bed Heel - getting your dog to walk in line with your heel Clicker training provides an easy and efficient way to reward positive behaviours in your dog. Keep in mind that it will take time and keep the sessions short so that it’s an enjoyable experience for both you and your pet.

By Megan Willis

Read more

For those of you aware of Pavlov’s dog, you can understand why classical conditioning is an effective training mechanism. Replace Pavlov’s bell with a clicker and use dog treats as a reward for good behaviour and you’re left with the premise of clicker training.

Clicker training is a reward-based training method in which a clicker notifies your dog that they have done the right thing. A clicker is a small device that makes a distinct clicking sound. This device is used to form an association with a reward, such as a dog treat or a toy - Police scent dogs will often work for a tennis ball. Whereas at first a reward is always given after a click, over time your dog will eventually begin to interpret the click as a reward in itself for showing positive behaviour.

While many people question why they should use a clicker at all instead of a reward, a clicker lets your dog know exactly when they’ve shown the right behaviour, helping them to learn at a faster rate than more traditional training methods.

For instance, when you reward your dog with a treat for responding to a sitting command, they have done other things such as stand up by the time they receive their treat. As a result, they can get confused, as they may have misinterpreted the reward for standing instead of sitting. The sound of a click should be implemented while your dog is showing good behaviour, not afterwards. Unlike the traditional method mentioned above, a clicker can mark the exact moment your pet has responded correctly to a command.

 

When To Start Clicker Training A Puppy

You can start to train your puppy as early as eight weeks, however, you should note that the time it takes to train your puppy could depend on their age, temperament, gender and breed. It’s important to not get frustrated if your puppy isn’t learning the commands as quickly as you hoped, for it’s all about repetition and patience. Rely on the positive reinforcement of the clicker and treat and eventually, your puppy will begin to pick things up.

 

How To Start Clicker Training A Puppy

Puppy in a training session

Remember that when it comes to clicker training, timing is everything - click at the exact moment your dog responds correctly to your demand. Also, if the treat you are offering is food, you should cut down the amount of food they consume daily so that they don’t put on weight, you can even use some of their dry food to help them with their training. With that in mind, implement the following steps to clicker-train your puppy:

  1. Before starting the training process, you need to teach your dog that the click means a reward. Simply take your dog somewhere quiet (without any distractions), press down the clicker just once and give them a reward immediately after. Do not click if your dog is showing discouraging behaviour. Repeat this process for a few days, in bouts of around two minutes a few times throughout the day. Continue this step until they look at you as if to expect a reward immediately after you click, now you can start to teach them new tricks!
  2. Once your dog has associated a click with a reward, you can move on to some basic training. Start with a simple command like sitting down. Hold the thing that motivates your four-legged friend, whether that’s a treat or dog toy, and move it back over your dog’s head slowly. This method is called lying and should make your dog sit back instinctively. Press your clicker as soon as their bottom touches the floor so they become aware of the command they are being rewarded for. Give them their reward immediately after the click. 
  3. Once you have succeeded in luring your dog to sit down, add the word ‘sit’ and continue the training with a reward. Each time you lure your dog, say ‘sit’ in a loud but affirmative tone and as you did in Step Two, click and give your dog their treat as soon as their bottom touches the floor. After you have practised this a few times throughout the day, try and command them by saying ‘sit’ without the lure and see if they have learnt the association.
  4. Continue doing these exercises in short bursts of up to 10 minutes, although younger puppies may need shorter training sessions. Eventually, your dog will learn to automatically sit when they hear the ‘sit’ command. Once you are confident your dog has learnt to sit properly, start to reduce the number of times you reward your dog with a treat after the click. By now, the click will have become a reward in itself and you won’t need to acknowledge their good behaviour with a treat every time. There you have it - the simple process of click training. 

 

Top Clicker Training Tips

  1. Timing is key! - Make sure to click as soon as your dog performs the command so they associate the click with what they've just done
  2. Reward every time - when they first start training rewarding every time is key, as they get more advanced you can begin to gamble with treats but to start with consistency is key. Studies have shown the key difference between professional dog trainers and your average pet owners is the number of treats and rewards, professional dog trainers tend to give their dogs many more treats when practising commands with them.
  3. Word Association - Saying 'sit' or 'down' won't mean anything to your dog to start with, it will take them time to begin associating the words with the action
  4. Keep the treats small - treats are great but you don't want your dog to put on loads of weight either, reducing their food intake or using their dry food as a treat is a great way to reward them and keep their calorie intake down
  5. End on a positive note - to keep training fun for both you and your pet make sure to end every session on a positive so even if they haven't quite gotten the hang of everything you've done that day they still go away feeling happy 
  6. Phase the treats out - once your pup has mastered a trick start slowly phasing the treats out, they will begin to associate the sound of the click as a reward and won't need the treat every time

 

How Does Clicker Training Help?

Teaching your dog to sit using a clicker is just one example of a command they can learn. There are other behaviours that can be taught with this method and many other training accessories available for your puppy. However, teach your dog only one or two commands at a time and don’t move on until they are fully confident with them. Other examples include:

  • Look - training your dog to look at you.
  • Stay - asking your dog to stay in the same place without moving.
  • Paw - opening your hand and ask your dog to place his paw in it.
  • Lie down - luring your pet into a lying position.
  • Roll over - encouraging your dog to roll over from a lying position
  • Drop - getting your dog to drop something from its mouth.
  • Leave it - getting your dog to move away from something they're about to pick up 
  • Bed - getting your dog on their bed
  • Heel - getting your dog to walk in line with your heel


Clicker training provides an easy and efficient way to reward positive behaviours in your dog. Keep in mind that it will take time and keep the sessions short so that it’s an enjoyable experience for both you and your pet.

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Here’s a step-by-step approach: Start Early: The critical socialisation period for puppies is between three and fourteen weeks of age. During this window, expose your puppy to a variety of settings, people, and other dogs (in safe, controlled situations). Use Positive Reinforcement: Reward your puppy with treats, praise, or play whenever they handle a new situation calmly. At Lords & Labradors, we offer a range of training essentials like training treats and clickers that can help reinforce good behaviour. Go at Their Pace: Never force interactions. If your puppy seems scared or shy, give them space. Let them approach new situations on their own terms, building confidence gradually. Puppy Classes: Consider enrolling in a puppy socialisation class led by a qualified trainer. This provides a controlled environment where puppies learn manners and get used to being around other dogs. Dogs Nipping Each Other: What’s Normal and What’s Not Mouthing and gentle nipping are part of how do dogs play with each other, especially during puppyhood. Yet, when does it cross the line? Normal Play: If the dog on the receiving end doesn’t seem distressed and the “nip” is more of a gentle mouth or inhibited bite, it’s usually fine. Excessive Nipping: If one dog repeatedly pinches, bites hard enough to leave marks, or causes the other dog to yelp, intervene to de-escalate the situation. Redirect: If your puppy is nipping too much, provide a chew toy or interrupt play with a quick time-out. Positive redirection teaches them that excessive biting ends the fun. Socialising an Older Dog It’s a common misconception that socialisation ends after puppyhood. While starting young is ideal, socialising an older dog is entirely possible. Adult dogs might be set in their ways, but with patience, you can help them become more comfortable around others. Here’s how: Slow Introductions: If your older dog has had minimal social interaction, begin with one calm, friendly dog at a time in a neutral location like a park. Watch Body Language: Keep an eye on signs of stress—such as flattened ears, tucked tail, or growling—and give breaks as needed. Positive Associations: Offer treats and praise during every interaction. If your dog reacts calmly or shows curiosity, reward them with a treat. Professional Support: If your dog’s anxiety or aggression is significant, consult a qualified behaviourist who can guide you through a customised training plan. Socialising Dogs With Other Dogs Whether you have a new puppy or a long-term canine companion, socialising dogs with other dogs requires thoughtful management: Choose Neutral Ground: Avoid meeting on one dog’s home turf to minimise territorial behaviour. Use Proper Equipment: Keep dogs on a lead during initial greetings, ensuring you can quickly separate them if tensions rise. Keep Interactions Short: Especially for first-time meetings, a quick positive encounter is more beneficial than a long, stressful one. Build Good Habits: Gradually extend these social sessions as each dog becomes more comfortable. How to Stop My Dog Playing Rough With Other Dogs Every dog has a unique play style, and some can be more boisterous than others. If you’re asking, “How to stop my dog playing rough with other dogs?” consider these tips: Interrupt and Reset: If you notice one dog is getting overwhelmed, calmly intervene. You might call your dog away or gently hold their collar until they settle. Offer Positive Outlets: Teaching your dog to play fetch or chase a ball can help channel their energy into more structured play. Teach “Gentle” Cues: Use positive reinforcement to show your dog they should be gentle during interactions. Reward them for calmer play and quick responses to “come” or “leave it.” Monitor Ongoing Play: Keep a watchful eye on group play sessions, especially if your dog is energetic or larger than others, to prevent minor scuffles from escalating. Training Tools for Successful Socialisation When it comes to socialising your dog, especially a puppy, having the right gear can make all the difference. At Lords & Labradors, we have a whole range of puppy training essentials. The main two things we recommend for positive reinforcement training are: Training Treats: Reward-based methods encourage your dog to associate social situations with positive outcomes. We love the Innocent hound puppy training treats for this Clickers: A clicker is a clear and consistent way to mark good behaviour, making training more efficient and effective. These tools, combined with patience and consistency, lay a solid foundation for your dog to become a confident, well-adjusted member of your family. You can utilise these tools in all aspects of your puppy’s training, not just in socialisation, and it will help you to build a really good bond with your pup. Final Thoughts on Socialising Your Dog Socialisation is not a one-time event but a continuous process. As your dog grows and encounters new experiences, reinforcing positive behaviours will ensure they remain calm, friendly, and well-mannered. Begin by understanding the fundamentals—how do dogs play with each other, what signals to watch for, and how to guide interactions using positive methods. Whether you’re focused on the best way to socialise a puppy or you’re working on socialising an older dog, consistency and patience are key. Remember, every dog is an individual. Some take to new friends like a duck to water, while others need a little extra time and support. By remaining patient, using rewards, and monitoring play closely, you’ll be able to stop unwanted behaviours such as dogs nipping each other or playing too rough. Over time, your efforts will pay off in the form of a well-behaved dog who loves meeting others—both canine and human alike. If you’re ever unsure or face ongoing challenges, never hesitate to consult a professional dog trainer or behaviourist. They can provide personalised guidance to make socialising dogs with other dogs a smoother experience. And if you need any training essentials, from treats to clickers, Lords & Labradors is always here to help you and your beloved pet on your socialisation journey.

    By Megan Willis

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