Clicker Training As Positive Reinforcement
The term clicker training is used to describe a way of training animals by using positive reinforcement. Train My Dog Now sees this methods as gaining popularity over the last ten years due to the gentle methods that are used. Studies show that clicker training can reduce the overall training time by 1/3. The machine used, or ‘clicker’ as it is referred to, is a small plastic box that has a metal strip attached to it. When the button is pushed, it makes a loud sharp clicking noise. This noise, paired with another added positive reinforcement from the trainer, allows the animal to develop a pattern of positive behavior and the trainer to achieve optimum results.
When attempting to shape the behavior pattern of the animal utilizing the clicker, small steps must be taken. For example, if you are trying to teach your dog to roll over, you would first click when he lies down. Then once that is mastered, once he continuously lies down, you no longer give clicks for that behavior. The clicks will now only come as he starts the actual rolling motion. This method insures that progress is made at a faster pace.
The clicker is also used as a means of communication between the dog trainer and the animal. In communication training, you will want to combine a treat or snack that the animal enjoys along with the clicker. Once the dog associates the treat with the clicker, then the communication training can begin.
Trainers that use the clicker report that their animals learn quickly, have longer retention, and actually enjoy the sound that the clicker makes. It has been discovered that the sound of the clicker creates a stimulus in the animal that is equivalent to hearing a siren or seeing bright colorful lights which in turn cause an alert reaction from the animal.
Trainers find that their animals master problem solving tasks with ease, exude confidence and perform their tasks effortlessly. The clicker itself is quite user friendly. To introduce the concept to your pet or animal, you simply begin behavior training and follow the desired results with a click. After that, then you just use the clicker as a marker when the animal exhibits the behaviors or actions you seek. This technique is referred to as ‘loading the clicker”. It is also called “charging the clicker”. This method is most commonly used with dog training. Dogs typically use the “nose touch’ method and so once you load the clicker and put the treat to their nose, then the clicker has been successfully introduced to the canine. The load or charge method is not used in the training of horses. When training horses, its best to use the target method. This way the horse will not anticipate a treat that it has not yet earned.
Some concerns that people have with the clicker method is obesity of the animal from so many treats. This can be solved in one or two ways. You can either incorporate the animals regular diet into the treats offered, or you can substitute the treats for another reward such as a toy. Train My Dog Now offers one of the most popular training programs on the market. Canis Clicker training can be viewed by clicking the banner below.
Category: Dog Training Tips and Advice
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