Clicker Training Disadvantages

Clicker training is one way to help your dog learn tricks, along with basic obedience commands. The clicker is a small device that makes a clicking noise when pressed. You teach your dog to associate the click with good behavior. In the beginning, you may give your dog a treat and click simultaneously when he obeys a command. Just as with any training method, there are disadvantages to clicker training.

  1. Conditioning

    • The clicker is merely one way to train a dog. Eventually, she should obey orders without the clicker. Some dogs become conditioned to the clicker and will not obey verbal commands. Once your dog begins regularly responding to the clicker, gradually stop using it. You don't want to have to carry a clicker around with you at all times.

    Group Training

    • If you train your dog in a group setting, or you train more than one dog at a time, a clicker can be confusing. If the dog hears clicks when he hasn't behaved properly, he may never understand that the click means he's done the right thing. Clickers are best used one-on-one.

    Inconvenient

    • It can be difficult to hold treats, the clicker and maybe a leash all at the same time. A clicker must be used with good timing, meaning you must click the instant your dog obeys. A delay caused by juggling several objects will undermine the method.