| While many people consider clicker training a new | | | | The key to effective clicker training is to break |
| way to work with dogs and other animals, clicker | | | | the command down into the tiniest of steps. Start |
| training has actually been around for many, many | | | | rewarding each approximation to the final result |
| years under the name "operant conditioning". | | | | with a treat and a click. For example, if you |
| Animal trainers, behavior trainers, scientists and | | | | wanted to teach the dog to jump through a |
| even therapist have been using operant training | | | | hoop, first start with keeping the dog running |
| on animals and people for centuries. Operant | | | | beside you in the heel position. Then have stick |
| training works on the principle of pairing a desired | | | | lying across the path the dog will take. When you |
| behavior with a positive outcome for the animal, | | | | get to the stick say "Jump" and when the dog |
| one that is not naturally associated with the | | | | steps over the stick (because no jump is even |
| behavior itself. For example, if a dog is told to sit | | | | required), click, treat and praise follow immediately. |
| and does, he or she may receive a treat. If you | | | | Gradually increase the height of the stick or bar |
| were also to click a clicker when you gave the | | | | off the ground. Click for each completion of the |
| treat that would become a positive as well. Over | | | | jump command over the stick. Clickers have the |
| a period of time the dog would come to equate | | | | added benefit of providing reinforcement without |
| the clicker with "good behavior" even if you didn't | | | | having to stop for a treat. |
| also present a treat. | | | | Once the dog understands "Jump" with the clicker, |
| What is the clicker? | | | | introduce the hoop on the ground. Use another |
| The clicker is simply a little plastic box-like device | | | | command such as "Hoop" to get the dog to step |
| that is carried in the hand of the trainer. A metal | | | | through the hoop on the ground. Click and provide |
| strap is depressed and released that produces a | | | | a treat and praise. Once the dog does this |
| sharp "click" that becomes, for the dog, the | | | | successfully, try elevating the hoop a few inches. |
| equivalent of "Good Dog". Clickers are much | | | | This time combine "Jump" and "Hoop" commands. |
| faster than using words and also are less likely to | | | | Click for successful completions of stepping up |
| be ignored by the dog as they are easy to hear, | | | | and through the hoop. Gradually increase until you |
| even in crowds or highly distracting environments. | | | | can hold the hoop and verbally command the dog |
| Clickers are always used with a treat at first, if | | | | up and through. Click for reinforcement of each |
| not just simply clicking doesn't seem like a reward | | | | jump through. |
| to the dog. The great thing about clicker training is | | | | Clicker training can be used for both simple and |
| that it is all based on positive behavior and on the | | | | complex commands, but always must be paired |
| dog getting closer and closer to doing things | | | | with a treat until the dog understands that the |
| perfect. | | | | clicker is the treat. |