Clicker training refers to a method of training new behaviours using a`yes` signal or conditioned reinforcer, to tell the dog precisely when he has done something right. The `click`in clicker training refers to a small plastic noisemaker similar to the `Bertie Beetle`toy` you used to get at the show.

CLICKER ORIGINS.

Clicker training began with dolphin training. Thirty plus years ago when dolphins were first put on display in marine aquariums, people had no idea how to train them. Just imagine what you would do if you had to teach a dolphin to jump through a hoop on command.

None of the traditional training methods people knew at the time seemed to apply to a animal that could just swim away. That training depened too much on restraints and punishment: things you just can't use with dolphins. The solution was to shape behaviour using positive reinforcement but even that presented a problem. How do you tell a dolphin that you liked what it did? You can throw a fish in the water but by the time he finds it, the reward won't have any connection to the behaviour you were trying to reinforce.

This problem was solved by introducing a high frequency whistle. The trainers blew the whistle just before they threw the fish into the water. The dolphins very quickly learned to expect a fish every time they heard a whistle. The next step was to link the whistle to behaviour. For example, if you lower a hoop into the water and blow the whistle only when the dolphin is swimming near that hoop, pretty soon the dolphin will be spending the majority of his time swimming around the hoop.

This a beginning step towards learning that behaviour leads to whistle leads to fish. Once that connection is made, you are well on the way to training very complex behaviours.

The whistle is a `bridging signal` (or secondary reinforcer to use the more technical term). It gives the animal very clear and precise information. It acts as a `right answer cue`. It says to the animal, the behaviour you just did will get you a treat. Click!

WHY CLICKER TRAINING?

The most important point to make here is that we can always benefit by establishing a better relationship with our dogs. Clicker training does not replace any training that you might be currently using with your dog. It is simply a communication tool.

From early psychological research in animal behaviour, it was discovered that animals respond promptly to food rewards. This is not to say that forever more we will need to treat our dogs with food each time we wish to communicate ~well done`~. What it means simply is that in the early stages when we introduce the clicker to your dog, he will learn the connection between the clicker sound and the communication of ~yes~much more quickly. Later other rewards can take on the properties of food.