Training 4 Dogs - Click and Treat

Clicker Training uses conditioning to reinforce desirable behaviours, it is a simple and very effective method of communicating approval in a way that cannot be confused or misunderstood. A Clicker is a small plastic box that contains a tensioned metal tongue, when the tongue is depressed and released using one finger, the tongue it makes a distinctive "Click".
There is nothing magic about the click but it is a distinctive noise that is unlikely to be encountered in everyday life and so it becomes a special "training" noise. The basis of Clicker training is "Click and Treat" (C&T) , initially the dog is conditioned by to expect a treat whenever it hears a click. When the dog has learned the basic "click means treat" rule, the dog is then clicked and treated for performing desirable behaviours such as sitting or coming.
When the dog hears a click it knows that a reward is coming and since the dog hears a click when it has done something good, the dog very quickly learns what behaviour will trigger the wonderful clicking treat machine and will chose to perform those behaviours.
Clicker training is unemotional and consistent, unlike the human voice or human body language. A click sounds the same whatever the handler's mood, there is no room for tone of voice or body language to betray emotions, so there is no room for confusion in the dog's mind as to whether it has done well or not. A Click means "correct". A click is always positive, no click means "nothing to reward", no click is not negative it simply means no reward has been earned.
Because clicker training is consistent and positive, dogs learn very quickly but it also makes dogs think for themselves, they use their brain - a requirement seldom made on them in traditional dog training techniques. Because there is no punishment or telling off, dogs respond very enthusiastically to clicker training and training becomes a fun time.