Clicker Training - Nuts and Bolts

Clicker training is a type of reward based training where the trainer uses a sound - the click made by a small plastic device - to indicate to the animal when a desired behavior has been performed. The dog learns that when it hears the click sound a treat will be delivered. Clicker training comes from the science of Applied Behavior Analysis. You might remember B.F. Skinner from a psychology 101 course? The commonly used term "positive reinforcement" comes from this field, as do the less well known terms, positive punishment, negative reinforcemend and negative punishment.

Clicker training also has some other aspects that make it distinct from other types of reward based training. Many clicker trainers emphasize a specific training technique called "free shaping" where the trainer does not cue the animal at all. Instead the animal learns to offer behaviors that are reinforced as they incrementally approach the training goal. For instance, if you wanted to free shape the dog to touch the tip of a stick with his nose, you would begin by clicking and giving the dog a treat when he first showed any interest in the stick. Free shaping may seem like it would take a long time, however, a skilled clicker trainer can often teach new behaviors very quickly. Moreover, clicker training teaches the dog "how to learn" and as dogs gain experience, they will become faster and faster at picking up new skills.

It is a myth that a dog that is clicker trained will require constant food rewards or that the owner will always need to carry a clicker with them. In addition to experience training pets, our trainer has trained and worked extensively with service dogs for people with disabilities. Veronica has used clicker training to train service dogs and obviously, service dogs cannot be reliant on constant food rewards in order to maintain their training skills in distracting situations. Nor is it appropriate for a service dog handler to be using a loud clicker in public!

At Cooperative Paws, we are committed to using reward-based techniques that are pleasant for the animal, but we do not require our clients to use clicker training. We also often use other reward-based techniques such as lure reward. We adapt our recommendations based not only on the dog's skills and abilities but also based on the dog's owner's strengths.

To learn more about Clicker Training:

Clicker Solutions

Karen Pryor's Website

"Using treats, clickers and clear communication, Veronica Sanchez gently improved Jack's behavior by developing focus and responsiveness. With her guidance, Jack's separation distress and resultant compulsive and destructive behaviors are gone. I now have a wonderful anipal and the skills to maintain responsible dog ownership."

Kat Sheperd and Jack

Reston, Virginia

 

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