Clicker training is one of the more popular methods of training animals today. But what, exactly, is clicker training?
Clicker training was first widely used in training dolphins, but the method is currently used in training dogs, cats, horses, and even pocket pets. Trainers use a small tool that makes a “click” noise and teach the animal to associate the sound with receiving food. Once the animal realizes that the click means that food is coming, the trainer can use the clicker to mark desired behaviors. When the animal preforms the behavior, hears the marker noise, and receives its treat, the behavior is reinforced. This means that the animal is more likely to preform the behavior in the future. Later, the trainer can add a cue, or command, to the behavior and phase out the clicker. Eventually, the animal will preform the behavior in response to the cue whether or not the trainer has food.
For example, if one wanted to train a dog to sit on command, she could begin by clicking and giving the dog a treat every time she sees him sit down. This is known as “capturing” a behavior. Soon, the dog will begin to intentionally sit in anticipation of receiving his treat. The trainer can then add the word “sit” before she clicks, and the dog will associate the word with the action of sitting and receiving a treat. In this way, the dog can be taught to sit reliably and without the use of force.
Clicker training is lauded by behavior experts, pet trainers, and pet owners alike as a non-violent and effective way to train new behaviors and decrease the occurrence of unwanted behaviors. To learn more about clicker training, contact a local pet trainer or check out some of these great books on the subject:
Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor
Click to Calm by Emma Parsons
The Thinking Dog: Crossover to Clicker Training by Gail Tamases Fisher
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