PetKnows

A guest post by Best In Flock

What Is Clicker Training?

Clicker training is an animal training method based on positive reinforcement of voluntary behaviors and B.F. Skinner’s principles of operant conditioning. Practitioners of clicker training typically focus on positive reinforcement and eschew punishment.

This type of training usually uses a device that makes a clicking sound (hence the “clicker” in clicker training) to precisely mark the behavior that results in a reward. The training subject learns which behaviors are rewarded and performs those actions in order to earn rewards.

Clicker training is more than a set of instructions for how to train specific tricks – it is a philosophy for how to build stronger, more positive relationships with our training subjects.

Why Use Clicker Training?
Clicker training is a humane and positive way to interact with animals. Rather than relying on punishment to condition animals to behave a certain way, it motivates the training subject to engage in desired behaviors.

In addition to reinforcing desired behaviors, clicker training has a great side benefit: undesired behaviors tend to fall away on their own when they are not reinforced. This type of training also helps trainer and trainee learn to communicate with each other – resulting in happier, more positive relationships.

Many casual clicker trainers can attest to the power of this training style to tame aggressive pets, perk up bored and unhappy animals, and curb bad behavioral habits.

How Can You Use It?
Most people are familiar with training dogs basic commands like sit, stay, heel and so forth, but the amazing thing about operant conditioning is that it work for almost all types of animals, even ones us regular pet owners would never think to train formally – including house cats, fish, zoo animals, spouses and teenagers.

Below are some awesome videos of clicker-trained animals and the creative “tricks” you can teach using a clicker.

Comet the Goldfish Plays Soccer

Cat Finds Misplaced House Keys

A Horse Clicker Trained to Play Croquet

Giraffe Trained to Give Kisses

Gharials Training to Respond to Names and Verbal Cues

More Clicker Training Resources
Not all clicker trainers and clicker training resources are created equally. Here are some recommended Clicker Training 101 resources for those new to the subject;

• What Is Clicker Training – Introduction to Clicker Training by Karen Pryor
• Clicker Training Myths and Misconceptions - primarily about parrot training, but general principles apply
• Don’t Shoot the Dog (Book) – the Bible of positive reinforcement training

The author of this post writes about clicker training her pet parrots on the Best in Flock blog.