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Clicker training is slang
for “operant conditioning,” a
scientifically based way
of shaping behavior, focusing
on the use of positive
reinforcement. Pick up
any psychology and textbook
and look up B.F. Skinner
or operant conditioning
and you will learn a lot
about how all of us learn.
This is sometimes referred
to as “learning theory,” but
there is nothing theoretical
about this kind of training.
It works!
Clicker training has been
around since the 1940s
and has been used extensively
in training marine mammals
such as dolphins and sea
lions. It has also become
very popular in dog training
circles where the trend
toward more humane, positive
training methods has been
gaining momentum. Some
dog trainers use the clicker
only occasionally and still
use other compulsive methods
such as collar corrections
and other kinds of punishment.
The trainers at DogPACT
do not. We belong to the
group of clicker trainers
who focus on the positive
reinforcement aspect of
operant conditioning.
This style of training
uses an auditory “marker”—the
click of a clicker or the
word “Yes!”—to
identify for the dog the
specific behavior that
is going to be rewarded.
By “marking” the
behavior just before rewarding
it with a treat or game,
we make it easier for the
dog to understand precisely
what he is getting rewarded
for. Learning accelerates
as a result.
Clicker training can be
done without actually using
a clicker. However, the
dog often learns faster
when we use this very unique
sound to tell him that
what he did at that precise
moment was what earned
him the reward. What we
do is click when he does
the exact thing we are
looking for and then follow
the click with a treat,
a game of tug, or praise
and petting. Once he has
learned the behavior, you
don’t need to use
the clicker all the time — so
you don’t need to
worry about always having
a clicker with you!
Clicker training teaches
a dog that his/her actions
affect what happens next.
Another way of saying this
is that the dog learns
that every behavior has
consequences. Jump on people
and they turn away and
ignore you. Sit, and you
hear the click and then
you get rewarded with petting,
praise, and a treat!
Clicker training is used
to teach dogs basic pet
manners such as sit, down,
stay, come, leash manners,
etc. It is also extremely
effective (and fun!) in
teaching tricks such as
roll over, crawl, bow,
hop backwards, ring a bell
to go out, and a lot of
other fun tricks. It is
also helpful in behavior
modification programs.
For other clicker training
sites, see our Resources page.
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