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