It usually only takes a few repetitions for a pet to learn that a particular behavior elicits the click, followed by the reward.įor a behavior that you would like your pet to do, you can do a click-and-reward when there’s even small movements in the right direction. You’re sending the message “What you just did is good,” and your pet will want to do that behavior again. Next, when your pet does anything that you’d like her to repeat, you can “capture” that behavior by click-and-reward. You want your pet to expect a treat every time she hears the clicking noise.ģ. Push and release the clicker, then immediately give your pet a treat. Next, position yourself near your pet, someplace quiet where there aren’t any distractions. To start, make sure you have your clicker and some soft treats on hand, cut or broken up into small pieces. That’s the type of association you want your pet to have when he hears the clicker. But after you’ve made that sound a few times, and a bowl of food promptly appears, your cat expects food when he hears the can opener. Think of it like this: The first time you use an electric can opener to open a can of cat food, that sound means nothing to your cat. Next, you’ll need to “charge” the clicker - that is, give the clicker a particular meaning so that your pet associates something good with it. Some pets may even require a very soft clicking sound, such as that made with a ballpoint pen.Ģ. Cats, for example, are sometimes frightened by a loud click. There are several types, and you will want one that elicits a sound that does not startle your pet. You use the clicker so that your pet will associate the treat with the clicking noise. How does clicker training work?Ĭlicker training works by getting your pet to expect something enjoyable (like a treat) in return for doing something you ask him or her to do.
In the 1990s, clicker training for other animals really took off when trainers realized how easy and effective it was.
A form of clicker training (using whistles) was originally used with great success on dolphins. The clicker is used as a conditioned reinforcer, a cue that something good is coming. Using operant conditioning, Skinner trained rats to push a lever that released food pellets. If a primary reinforcer (like food) is used, the animal will become conditioned to repeat the action that produces the food. Skinner observed that an animal will tend to repeat an action that has a positive consequence and will avoid an action that has a negative consequence. If the learner makes a mistake all you do is wait and let them try again.”Ĭlicker training uses a method called operant conditioning, pioneered by psychologist B.F. The treat may be food, a pat, praise, or anything else the learner enjoys. In clicker training you watch for the behavior you like, mark the instant it happens with a click, and pay off with a treat. According to Karen Pryor’s website, “In traditional training, you tell an animal or person what to do, make that behavior happen (using force if necessary), reward good results, and punish mistakes. The only thing you need is a clicker, some treats, and an animal friend.Ĭlicker training is gentler than traditional training methods. For example, you can teach your dog to sit or your bird to hop onto a stick using clicker training. You can train almost any kind of pet - including cats, birds, dogs, rabbits, rats, and horses - to respond to the clicker. Clicker training is a fun and effective way to communicate with your pets.
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