Clicker Training Games for Improving Skills

While perfect clicker timing seems natural to a few, it’s a struggle for most of us (me included). Sometimes I click a nanosecond after a behavior happens, especially with a fast moving dog, but my mistakes are mine to own. I always give a treat even when I click at the wrong time.

It’s important to improve your clicker training skills often and timing is an important one to sharpen before teaching your dog a new skill. Before starting a training session, warm up with a few practice games, such as these intermediate games.

RELATED: Teaching Your Dog Focus

Clicker Games

Bouncing Ball

Oi, this game is tough. Bounce a tennis ball on a hard surface and click as the ball touches the ground. Seems easy–um, yeah right! Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Want to make it harder? Bounce the tennis ball on a hard surface again and click when tennis ball reaches its highest point in between bounces. 🙂

Bending Finger

Instead of clicking a fully extended hand, you’ll click a fully extended index finger so you’ll need a partner for this game. Ask him to bend his index finger up and down. You’ll click for a fully extended index finger (finger pointed up). Trust me, there is a huge difference. A single finger is smaller and moves much quicker. 🙂

If you want to make it harder, ask your friend to move his finger quickly and move further away from you, or better yet place hand on ground and move index finger.

VIDEO: Intermediate Games for Improving Clicker Training

READ MORE: Clicker Training Game for Beginners