With clicker training, you press the clicker when your Yorkie Puppy behaves in a way you’ve wanted. In the beginning, you teach your Yorkie Puppy that a click sound means he's getting a treat, so he forms a positive association with the sound. Over time and practice, the "click" itself becomes the reward, and your Yorkie Puppy may even "offer" certain behaviors in hopes of a "click."

How does it work?
Based on the scientific concept of “operant conditioning,” clicker training relies on the theory that we all, both animals and people, associate certain behaviors or events with a consequence, either good or bad. You’ve learned that if you drive the speed limit, you’ll avoid the consequence of a ticket (negative). You’ve also learned that if you smile at a baby, she’ll most likely smile back (positive). So what do you do? You keep repeating those positive behaviors.

With clicker training, you’re teaching your Yorkie Puppy that if he behaves the way you’d like him to, he’ll be rewarded.

“A lot of training seems to be directed at solving behavior problems,” says leading clicker expert Karen Pryor. “Clicker training is about training desirable behavior.”

As you continue to reinforce the desired behavior — say, sitting — your Yorkie Puppy will quickly learn to intentionally repeat that behavior to receive positive feedback from you. He’ll be confident in his choices, and you’ll have a trained pal.

With clicker training, you’re “shaping” your Yorkie Puppy’s behavior. You use the clicker to let the Yorkie Puppy know at the very second he performs an action that he’s doing exactly what you’d like him to do. Pryor says clicking is like taking a picture of the desired behavior.

“The Yorkie Puppy sits, and you click,” she says.

Getting started
Ready to get clicking? The best way to jump in is through a class, video, or book so you’re confident in your approach.
When starting out, you’ll click when your Yorkie Puppy approximates a behavior — for example, as he’s beginning to move in your direction when you say, “come.” Next, when he figures out you want him to come closer, you’ll click only when he passes that initial attempt. And finally, you’ll only click when he’s arrived and seated at your feet.

“Once they’ve learned that if they sit or come when called, you’ll click, you don’t have to click anymore,” Pryor says. “It’s not a maintenance tool. You can maintain it with a pat or a ‘good Yorkie Puppy.’ It’s a communication system, really.”