| This brief article is an introduction to Clicker Training for | | | | or scolding to train. That still leaves Negative |
| Puppies and Dogs. Clicker Training is an effective and | | | | Punishment, Extinction and training alternative |
| pet-friendly method of dog training that anyone can | | | | behaviors.When a clicker trainer comes across an |
| learn and use straight away to teach tricks and solve | | | | unwanted behavior, they ask "What is reinforcing this |
| common behavior problems.What is a "Clicker"?A | | | | behavior?" and "What would I like my dog to instead?" |
| Clicker is a small noise-maker which makes a clicking | | | | Then set about removing the reinforcers for the |
| sound. The click itself is brief, clearly audible and | | | | unwanted behaviour and training a preferred |
| consistent.What is the point of using a Clicker?If we | | | | behavior.Does it Really Work?Clicker Training is nothing |
| wish to reward a dog for behavior that we want more | | | | new, it's just taken a while to catch on. It is proven to |
| of, we need to be able to say to the dog "Yes! That is | | | | work and has been used to train dogs in every field of |
| exactly what I am rewarding!" For many behaviors, we | | | | endeavour, from Guide Dogs, to Police Dogs, to |
| can simply say "Yes!" or "Good!" and follow up with | | | | Obedience Champions. It has also been used to train |
| the reward (usually food, see the article Secrets of | | | | thousands of species of animal, including wild animals in |
| Dog Training Professionals - Why Use Food? for | | | | their natural environment.If you try to punish a wild |
| reasons why).The clicker, or verbal marker, is known | | | | animal it will either run away or kill you. This leaves |
| as a "Bridging Stimulus" because it bridges the gap | | | | Clicker Training as one of the few effective |
| between behavior and reward.If you are trying to | | | | alternatives. Tigers and Bears have been trained to |
| teach your dog to push a button with his paw, for | | | | offer a tail or paw and have blood taken. Dolphins |
| example, then you need to be able to reward that | | | | have been trained in military surveillance in the open |
| exact behavior. This is where the clicker comes in, you | | | | ocean. Dogs have been trained to make their disabled |
| can click the clicker precisely as the paw hits the | | | | owner's beds - just a few examples of what clicker |
| button - effectively saying "That is exactly what I want | | | | training can be used for.Where Can I Learn More |
| you to do" - then give the reward.How Do Clicker | | | | About Clicker Training?Positive Petzine is a free |
| Trainers Stop Unwanted Behavior?Clicker Trainers | | | | resource for people training their own dogs. Join now, |
| have a bag of tricks based in the science of Operant | | | | and for a limited time you can download all available |
| Conditioning. However, they do not use force, fear, pain | | | | back issues (a $29.95 value) for free! |