Do you and your dog "click"?

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Clicker training is rooted in the principles of behavioral science, where positive reinforcement strengthens desired behaviors. The concept is straightforward: you mark good behavior with the sound of a click and then reinforce it with a reward. By using a distinct sound to mark the moment the animal performs the right action, it helps the animal clearly understand what behavior is being rewarded, making learning faster and more effective. 

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Try to remind yourself why you chose to share your home with a dog in the first place. Most likely, it's because you enjoy their companionship. The key to a strong relationship is communication, consistency and mutual trust of each other, and it requires everyone involved to understand the rules. When we confuse our dogs with inconsistent rewards and punishments, we end up making them feel powerless and uncertain about what will happen next.

In my view, the belief in the alpha dominance theory is outdated. You won’t lose control if your dog eats after you or walks through the door first. Sharing a couch or a bed with your dog doesn’t diminish your authority, and your dog won’t become better trained by you yelling louder.

My role as a dog guardian is to assist my dogs when they’re anxious, teach them which things in my environment are off-limits, and offer guidance when they get puzzled during training games like the "click" game. If they fail to grasp something, it’s my responsibility to break it down properly or pace the lesson accordingly.