Clicker Training

The following article was written by Ellen Morris.

Clicker training is based on operant conditioning.  It is very positive and gentle.

First the sound of the clicker is marked with a very special treat, like a pea sized peace of cheese, chicken or hot dog.  Once the dog associates the sound of the clicker, they say that the clicker is charged.  Then the click sound is used as a marker, like an acoustic arrow which exactly marked the behavior or part of the behavior you want to train for.

Once the dog is literally throwing the behavior at you all the time so much that you are willing to bet $5.00 that he will do it, then add the cue and begin to fade the click. The treat stays in place but it not usually given after every behavior that is offered, but given often enough that the dogs know that there is always a chance for a special goodie.

The training methodology was developed by B. F. Skinner and then adapted by people who wanted to train dolphins and whales to do their routines in shows.  One of those trainers, Karen Pryor found that it worked so well that she decided to try it with her dogs and had an amazing response.

Those of us who have tried it are just overwhelmed by the intensity of the focus the dog maintains on you and also the effectiveness of the methodology.  A lot of us here on the list have had a lot of success with Clicker Training.  There is even a whole page of clicker links on our link section of the website.

I have to admit that I get a sense of delight every time I read of someone's success with something that they have been trying to elicit for a while.  Then, BOOM, they remember their clicker and are in business. There are some incredible trainers out there, spread all over the country and they are very free with their advice and very accommodating.

I have to admit that I am kind of like a reformed smoker with clicker training.  I now use my choke chain to hold up my bug zapper and will never ever pop a leash again, because I won't have to.  Give it a whirl, it is very easy and VERY effective.

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