Just for Shelters

Now that the dog knows what the clicker means then potential adopters should know, too. Make clickers a part of getting acquainted. Show adopters how to hold the clicker, click it, and give a treat. Clicker dogs quickly focus on a person with a clicker. Two people can take turns calling the dog, clicking it, and treating, so the dog goes back and forth between them.

Creating an atmosphere that's calm helps dogs get adopted. Try this simple focusing exercise as a first step. Put a good treat in your closed hand (e.g. a tiny cube of cheese) and put your fist against the wires. When the dog sniffs your hand, click and toss in the treat. Repeat twice, then put your empty fist against the wires; click for touching, and give the treat from your other hand.