An Introduction to Clicker Training

From Virginia Broitman and Sherri Lippman's The How of Bow Wow, this clear overview of clicker training gives you the basics in just one minute! From the ClickFlicks Learning Center. http://www.clickertraining.tv

"Clicker training" is the popular term for the training or teaching method based on what we know about how living organisms learn.

Research has shown that any creature—whether a dog, cat, dolphin, parrot, fish, horse, llama, or person—is more likely to learn and repeat actions that result in consequences it desires and enjoys. So clicker trainers provide consequences desired by their animal in exchange for actions or behaviors desired by their trainers.

We call these consequences "rewards" and the process is called "reinforcement." Clicker training, therefore, is a positive-reinforcement-based system of training.

First widely used by dolphin trainers who needed a way to teach behavior without using physical force, operant conditioning (the scientific term for clicker training) can be and has been successfully employed with animals of all sizes and species, both domesticated and wild, young and old; all breeds of dogs and puppies, cats, birds, leopards, rats, rabbits, chinchillas, fish, and more.

Clicker trainers who learn the underlying principles have at their disposal a powerful set of tools that enable them to analyze behaviors, modify existing methods for individual animals, and create new methods where none previously existed. This flexibility allows the tools of clicker training to be re-invented in new forms that work in a range of situations, and for an infinite variety of animals.

The same principles have also been applied to training for athletes, dancers, skaters, and other people. Called "TAGteach," this form of training uses a click as a marker signal to teach precise physical motions quickly, accurately, and positively.

More information can be found at http://www.clickertraining.com

• Category

  Pets & Animals

[nixxi1980]

wow your dog will be fat in notime, i counted over 15 treats in less than a minute.boooo

[markkpct]

A trainer will often use the puppy's dinner as the treats to ensure that the puppy will not be overfed.

[Josephine CD]

hahaha i use snapple bottle caps,

they work well to and they come with the drink (:

i'm working it with horses though.

[Donna Hill]

His name is Goliath and he is a large min pin! Very cute!

[Chris Wilcox]

No, she is clicking at the instant the 'correct' behavior occurs, to inform the dog that it is doing something 'good'. The reward always follows - do you have your audio turned on?

Google it and educate yourself.

[Jackie Ferrier]

She is clicking the intention the dog has to start to sit - watch again.

[StacyBS]

lilcarlitos5 and urstruly83: The clicker helps you teach the dog what behavior to do. Once the behavior is established, you THEN put it on cue (teach the dog the command that goes with it). Once the whole concept (command/cue -> behavior -> reward) is strong, you can reduce the value of the rewards (going from food or toys to praise) and drop the clicker. You dont need to use the clicker to tell the dog what to do so he will do it even if you havent had a clicker in use for years.

[angelkissedredhead]

sounds like your dog is not very food oriented. You might need to use something really yummy, like hot dogs.

[lizzieodonnell]

Find something she REALLY loves, whether it is a toy, your affection, another type of treat, or whatever she goes CRAZY over. Make sure you are properly clicker training, and "load" the clicker. For example, click the clicker and give her the reward so she knows good things come from the clicker! Good luck!

[GrahamThompson99]

You can. They are used for people with learning difficulties.

[RussianAlfonso]

You think not? Are you married? Maybe your girlfriend offers favors after you do certain things for her? You might also notice the majority of Clicker Trainers are women. It works in sports, too. Referee whistles, the bell in the boxing ring. Think! Are you being clicked?

[iLuVMyFuZzIes]

i clicker training my ferrets lol. its ace