Master Clicker Timing 

How to get better timing with a clicker

Click training is all about timing. Dogs have such a short term memory for when their behaviors are being rewarded that the timing of your “click” needs to coincide almost exactly with the behavior that you are looking for. When you are trying to teach your dog a more complicated trick that requires the progressive addition of behavioral movements, your timing needs to be as perfect as possible in order to see the results quickly.

Step 1: Make Sure the Clicker is Something Your Dog is Excited About

The first step towards good timing with the clicker is to make sure that the clicker is “charged.” This means that your dog is immediately ready to receive the reward before they begin. This ensures that the clicker itself has the power that you are looking for. To charge the clicker, click and give a reward several times before you even start training.

Step 2: Keep Your Thumb At the Ready

Don’t simply hold the clicker in your hand. Be ready to click the second you see the behavior by having your finger at the ready, so that you can push as quickly as possible. You may even want to prepare the click by pushing down ever so slightly, before the click occurs.

Step 3: Be Ready to Click Prematurely

When the trick is first starting, behavioral changes may be minimal. As a result, you may have less than a fraction of a second to prepare to click and actually click. The best way to do this is to be prepared to click when you are fairly certain that the behavior is about to be seen. Don’t worry if you are the slightest bit premature with your click – when this occurs, simply wait to be sure that the dog has performed the trick to your satisfaction the next time around, and there should be no issue with the result.

When it Doubt, Practice

The best way to get used to clicker timing is to practice, because it helps train your own body to learn how to respond physically to the things that you see in front of you. Eventually you will improve the connection your mind has with your hands, and you will be able to click more easily when you see the behavior in question. Consider teaching your dog a long, unimportant trick that involves a lot of small behavioral movements – a trick such as walking in a circle without leading – so that you can get used to noticing fine behavioral movements and clicking at the right time.