CLICK TO CALM

"Click to Calm" is a dog training method developed by Emma Parsons that uses a clicker and positive reinforcement to teach dogs to respond calmly to stressful or triggering situations. It's a form of clicker training, where a clicker sound marks the desired behavior, followed by a reward, helping the dog associate the behavior with a positive outcome.

How it Works:

1. Clicker Association:

The first step is to teach the dog that the clicker sound means they've done something right. This is done by clicking the clicker immediately after the dog performs a desired behavior (e.g., sitting, looking at you) and rewarding them with a treat.

2. Identifying Triggering Situations:

The next step is to identify the situations or stimuli that cause your dog stress or anxiety (e.g., other dogs, loud noises, strangers).

3. Calm Behavior Reinforcement:

During these triggering situations, the trainer observes the dog's behavior and clicks and rewards any calm or relaxed behavior (e.g., looking away, sitting, lying down). This helps the dog learn that calm behavior in the presence of the trigger results in a positive outcome.

4. Shaping and Desensitization:

The trainer gradually increases the intensity or duration of the trigger while continuing to reinforce calm behavior. This helps the dog desensitize to the trigger and learn to manage their stress response.

5. Building a Calm Toolkit:

The click to calm method can also be used to teach the dog a variety of "calm" behaviors, such as looking at the handler for guidance, engaging in a calming activity (e.g., chewing on a toy), or performing an alternative behavior (e.g., going to their bed) in stressful situations.

Benefits of Click to Calm:

Reduced Stress and Anxiety:

By teaching the dog to respond calmly to triggers, click to calm can help reduce stress and anxiety levels.

Improved Reactivity:

It can be effective in managing reactive behaviors, such as barking or lunging at other dogs or people.

Increased Confidence:

The dog learns that they can manage stressful situations and build confidence in their ability to cope with triggers.

Improved Communication:

The clicker acts as a clear communication tool, helping the dog understand what behaviors are desired.

Positive Training Environment:

Click to calm uses positive reinforcement, fostering a positive training experience for both the dog and the handler.

Key Elements of Click to Calm:

Positive Reinforcement:

The foundation of click to calm is positive reinforcement, using rewards to encourage and shape desired behaviors.

Clear Communication:

The clicker acts as a clear signal, marking the exact moment the dog performs the desired behavior.

Timing:

It's crucial to click and reward the desired behavior immediately, creating a strong association between the behavior and the reward.

Consistency:

Consistent training and reinforcement are key to achieving lasting results.

Patience and Understanding:

Click to calm takes time and patience, and it's essential to understand your dog's individual learning style and pace.

Jensen Canines uses Click to Calm as a primary training method when dealing with Dog/Dog aggression and reactivity.  In addition Click to Calm is used often when desensitizing or counterconditioning dogs to triggers that they are reactive to such as people, dogs and objects.  Click to Calm works extremely well in most situations where a dog is fearful, agitated or aggressive towards something in the environment.  Click to Calm is especially helpful when working cases where dogs are being introduced to each other and one or both dogs have a dog aggression or fear response.

For more information or to request a Behavioral Assessment and Consultation contact us below or call (805) 978 6945.  

We provide your Behavioral Assessment and Consultation free of charge.  At the consultation we will discuss in detail with you what problem behaviors are occurring, what you would like to see happen for you and your dog as a result of training and will perform a Behavioral Assessment of your dog.  This will allow us to evaluate your needs, the current behavior of the dog, what you would like to see from the training and other variables in order to develop a Behavioral Training Plan specific to your dog and situation.