Clicker Training

We have begun to train Mia at home using "clicker training".  What is this you ask?  This little device just makes a clicking sound when you press the button.  The idea is to use the clicker sound to "mark" the correct action.  Many times a dog will sit and then 5 seconds later you say good girl, and she's already running around again, and you've missed the mark.

You command the dog to sit.
The dog stares at you.
Nothing happens.

You command the dog to sit, and this time she lowers her butt to the ground.
When her butt hits the ground, click the device immediately, and then give her a treat.  Don't click and treat at the same time.

The dog will learn commands faster using the clicker because she'll want to perform for the noise and the following treat.  Eventually the dog will be able to execute commands without the clicker, but for a while she will need it in order to learn.  You can use the very small "training treats" and break them in half, so the dog just gets a morsel to minimize the calories.

Without the clicker, Mia can currently sit, lay down (sometimes), come (sometimes), and "up up" which just means to jump into the car or run up the stairs.  She really needs help learning "drop it", "heel", etc.  She can perform most of the tasks without the clicker, but with the clicker it's immediate.  I say: Mia Come and she'll come trotting around the corner, and before it she would sometimes show up... it depends if she had better things to do.  Distraction is also an issue that we're trying to overcome.  So hopefully it continues to go well and can be used as tool in her obedience training.