Clicker training involves spotting a behaviour in your cat or dog, marking that behaviour, and then rewarding it with something your pet likes. The behaviours are often movements your pet offers voluntarily, like making eye contact with you, that we can build into trained behaviours e.g. "Look at Me". The marker is typically a ‘click’ from a clicker device, it doesn’t have to be. There is nothing magic about a clicker itself, but they work well because they are unique and precise, consistent, and devoid of any emotional overtone. But if you prefer to keep your hands free, the mark can be a spoken word like ‘good’, or even a click of the tongue.

Remember Pavlov’s dog? Animals learn by association. They also do what works. So, your trainee quickly learns that a click predicts a treat, and that their behaviour controls the clicks. With these two lessons, you are well on the way to a whole new world of communication between you and your pet, fostering a deep, positive bond. As well as being an excellent method of obedience training, it is also a valuable tool to build your pet's confidence. This is especially helpful for rehabilitating dogs who may be worried or may have lost their enthusiasm for life and learning.