The Clicker and Crate. Common Mistakes:
Dog crates when properly used are a great tool for training, getting your dog from one place to another safely and even for simple things like getting pooch out of the way whilst cleaning. At the same time the crate is your dogs den. It is his/her safe home. A properly used crate will become your dogs favourite spot. Unfortunately some bright people use the crate for the wrong purposes such as a tool for punishment. Others will shout or even poke their hands in the dog crate to slap him/her. It is vitally importanat that you give your dog time to get accustomed with the crate. If not rushed an done properly you will see that your dog will use the crate when the door is left open. Never ever use a dog crate as a torture device never get cross with your dog once in the crate or the magical powers of the crate will vanish. Make sure that you help your dog understand that the crate is a safe area no matter what!
Another magical device used in training is the clicker. The clicker is used for reinforcing correct behaviour. There is one single simple rule of the clicker. Use the clicker to mark. That is only click at the moment your dog has done the right thing. It will also lose its magical powers if wrongly used. The biggest common mistake is using the clicker to call your pooch or to influence. Never use a clicker to distract pooch from doinmg wrong because the click simply means good boy or good boy heres your food reward. Do not use the clicker to call your dog. Give it some thought and be carefull to use the clicker properly. ALLWAYS START USING A CLICKER HOLDING IT BEHIND YOUR BACK IN ORDER TO PREVENT YOURSELF FROM UNCONCIOUSLY POINTING IT TOWARDS YOUR DOG. SUCH UNCONSIOUS HAPPENINGS ARE VERY HARD FOR A HUMAN TO CHANGE. THERE IS NOT MUCH MORE A FUNNY THING THEN SEING SOMEONE USEING A CLICKER POINTING IT AT THEIR DOG AS IF THE CLICKER WAS A REMOTE AND THE DOG A TV! Unconsious actions such as pointing unconsiously make us accidently use the clicker as a remote thus frequent mistakes are made. Another important fact is that your dog will be more focused on the clicker and your hand and bodylanguage then the job to be done! After all we are only humans and pooch is still a dog..