"You did it!"

Choose a word to mean "you got it right". "Yes" or"Nice", for example. You can use a clicker instead of a word, if you'd like. For deaf dogs, a 'thumbs up' sign works well.

IMPORTANT: The word that you choose tells your dog that you are going to give them a treat because they did what you told them to do. Every time you say the cue, your dog gets paid.

Have a dozen or so pea-sized treats on the counter and your dog on-leash. Say your chosen word (or click, or thumbs up). Then, reach for a treat and feed it to your dog. Repeat until the treats are gone.

"Good" is a bad choice for the "you got it right" word because you have to give a treat every time you say it. We want to tell our dog they are good dogs without having to give them a treat!

Do not say your dog's name or give them a command during this exercise.

VIDEO DEMO USING A CLICKER

Substitute your chosen word or hand signal for the click

A "you got it right!" cue makes training your dog faster because

They don't need to see a treat in your hand to do what you tell them
You don't have to worry about getting the treat to them the second they do what you tell them
It makes it clearer to your dog WHAT they did right to earn that treat

Better Dogs through Education

WOOF UNIVERSITY LLC

"You did it!"

VIDEO DEMO USING A CLICKER