Clicker Training Do's & Don'ts

DO give a treat for every click, even if you clicked by mistake, you can sort out the mistaken click later.  
          DON'T give treats during training unless you clicked first because it 
          weakens the training bargain.

DO understand that click ends the behavior and so it is expected that your dog will stop doing the behavior when you click.   
          DON'T try to shape more than one criteria at one time.  

DO use the clicker to reinforce attention from the dog.  
          DON'T use the clicker as an attention getting device; you could be
          reinforcing behavior you don't want. 

DO teach your dog the meaning of a keep going signal (KGS) and use this in training to tell the dog to continue what they are presently doing and that a click/treat is coming. 
          DON'T use the clicker as a KGS because your dog will be confused.

DO reinforce behavior you want to see more of, rather than ignore the dog when it is behaving well.  
          DON'T punish misbehavior, you could be reinforcing the behavior
          with attention. 

DO manage your environment and training to set your dog up for success and reward.  
          DON'T "proof" your dog by setting him up to make a mistake. 

DO use a high rate of reinforcement and your dog will be eager to train.  
          DON'T worry about spoiling your dog with too much reinforcement. 

DO train off leash whenever possible in a safe environment. 
          DON'T use your leash as a training tool. 

DO have a clicker on your person at all times and treats stashed in many places so you can reinforce good behavior whenever it occurs.   
          DON'T miss impromptu training opportunities.  

DO make a list of all of the things your dog finds reinforcing and rank them in order -- remember this is the list for your dog's preferences, not what you think they should be. 
          DON'T limit the kinds of things you use for reinforcers.  

DO carry a variety of treats so you can use a special treat for a special effort (such as ignoring distraction) or for sudden leaps into brilliant performances. 
          DON'T become predictable to your dog about what you will treat with.  

DO be a benevolent leader who sets fair rules and limitations and teaches the dog what they are and how to live within those rules. 
          DON'T be a malevolent dictator who changes the rules or behaves
          unpredictably or unfairly to the dog.  

DO split goal behaviors into fine criteria and shape from one to the other in a steady progression.  
          DON'T lump behaviors and wait for complete or flawless
          performances before you reinforce them.  

DO plan your training session and how you will shape each behavior so you can reinforce the progression as it occurs. 
          DON'T miss out on those sudden intuitive leaps skipping
          several steps, this is the perfect time for a jackpot.  

DO concentrate on the behavior you want to see your dog do, instead of the things you don't want to see.  
          DON'T seek to get rid of an undesirable behavior without having
          a new behavior to replace it with.