Canine Good Manners class set for March
The Central Aroostook Kennel Club will be starting its Canine Good Manners Class on March 12, using the clicker training method. What is clicker training? Clicker training is a gentle, reward-based dog- and owner-friendly teaching method. It is based on using positive reinforcement to train behaviors and results in a happy, responsive dog. Clicker training is an effective, safe and humane way to teach animals any behavior it is physically capable of performing.
Desirable behavior is usually marked by using a clicker, a small mechanical device held in the hand that makes a short click sound which tells the dog exactly when they’re doing the right thing. When a dog performs a desired behavior — example, a sit command — he or she is then “clicked” and immediately rewarded. With practice, the dog learns to associate this action with a reward.
The difference between clicker training and other reward-based training is that the dog is told exactly which behavior earned it a reward. The “click” sound is associated with a desired behavior and the reward follows.
Why is the click used and not a word? A click is more powerful because it is not a sound heard by the dog under everyday circumstances. To the dog it means only one thing: a reward is coming because of what you did when you heard the click.
Voices can say the same word in different ways and express different emotions or meanings. Humans are verbal creatures and our dogs are not, so it can be difficult for them to pick out a single word from a stream of meaningless words they hear us speak, but the click sounds the same every time it is heard and it’s always good news.
The Central Aroostook Kennel Club will be offering its popular Canine Good Manners Class beginning Monday, March 12, in Presque Isle at the Recreation Center located on Main Street. There will be two classes with eight dog/handler teams per class on Monday evenings, the first class beginning at 6 p.m. and the second class at 7:15 p.m. The cost will be $70 for the eight-week course and will be taught by Dotty Dudley and Pat Smith. Pre-registration is required. For more information, call Dotty at 488-6841 or e-mail redfox@mfx.net. There are limited class spots available, so early registration is recommended.
