Obviously you do not want to go on always using the clicker and treat. The timetable for fading the clicker and treat is as follows:-

Initially you use the clicker and treat without the verbal command.

Once the dog is reliably performing the right action you then add the cue word.

Then once the dog is reacting every time to the verbal prompt you then stop the clicker but still reward with a treat. The verbal command replaces the clicker but by this time your dog will understand the spoken cue.

The next stage is to replace the food treat with praise, a game or a nice stroke. Start to mix up the rewards. Treat with food still, but intermittently. You pooch will work even harder as most find the food the best reward of all!

Ask more and more of your dog. Ask for several behaviours before rewarding and poor or slow responses get nothing! Only treat now and then.

Treats through the life of your animal will pay dividends. Treat for good recalls and good behaviour should be given and will keep them on their toes. We treat our children and grandchildren when they are good so extend this philosophy to your beloved pooch too!

Always use the clicker when training new things fading it when they are fully understood and performed reliably.

Finally never use the clicker to get your dogs attention. The click means ‘yes that’s what I want you to do’ and using it for anything else will confuse them.

However, that is not to say that when they see you get the clicker out for training they should not become excited and attentive. Isn’t that what you want? A dog that really wants to learn new things and enjoys doing it!