An Introduction to Clicker Training

From Virginia Broitman and Sherri Lippman's The How of Bow Wow, this clear overview of clicker training gives you the basics in just one minute! From the ClickFlicks Learning Center. www.clickertrai...
"Clicker training" is the popular term for the training or teaching method based on what we know about how living organisms learn.
Research has shown that any creature-whether a dog, cat, dolphin, parrot, fish, horse, llama, or person-is more likely to learn and repeat actions that result in consequences it desires and enjoys. So clicker trainers provide consequences desired by their animal in exchange for actions or behaviors desired by their trainers.
We call these consequences "rewards" and the process is called "reinforcement." Clicker training, therefore, is a positive-reinforcement-based system of training.
First widely used by dolphin trainers who needed a way to teach behavior without using physical force, operant conditioning (the scientific term for clicker training) can be and has been successfully employed with animals of all sizes and species, both domesticated and wild, young and old; all breeds of dogs and puppies, cats, birds, leopards, rats, rabbits, chinchillas, fish, and more.
Clicker trainers who learn the underlying principles have at their disposal a powerful set of tools that enable them to analyze behaviors, modify existing methods for individual animals, and create new methods where none previously existed. This flexibility allows the tools of clicker training to be re-invented in new forms that work in a range of situations, and for an infinite variety of animals.
The same principles have also been applied to training for athletes, dancers, skaters, and other people. Called "TAGteach," this form of training uses a click as a marker signal to teach precise physical motions quickly, accurately, and positively.
More information can be found at www.clickertrai...

[@TimpanistMoth_AyKayEll]

Wonderful that you've made this available free of charge. I refer people to these clips all the time. Thanks!

[@StacyBS]

lilcarlitos5 and urstruly83: The clicker helps you teach the dog what behavior to do. Once the behavior is established, you THEN put it on cue (teach the dog the command that goes with it). Once the whole concept (command/cue -> behavior -> reward) is strong, you can reduce the value of the rewards (going from food or toys to praise) and drop the clicker. You dont need to use the clicker to tell the dog what to do so he will do it even if you havent had a clicker in use for years.

[@ACTMX]

Exactly, see, this uses the principle of conditioned reinforcement. You can use a click, a whistle, a "YES" or just a "good boy".

[@dezinemagic1]

You may have counted correctly and if your dog is predisposed to weight gain you may have to plan how much you feed. Compared to how much you use to clicker train with. I train with my dog everyday Rally-O, Flyball, Obedience, Agility, Frisbee and tricks I don't always use just my clicker allot of time I mark with a "Yes" or I use a toy and play. I think till you actually get out and start trying to train your dog and stop poo pooing this idea you will not see results.

[@angelkissedredhead]

sounds like your dog is not very food oriented. You might need to use something really yummy, like hot dogs.

[@mlazalde79]

excelent I was using this same method with my dogs the results are greats

[@supernaturalbc2008]

His name is Goliath and he is a large min pin! Very cute!

[@sddogtrainer]

Thanks so much to Sherri, Virginia and Karen Pryor for all you have done for dogs - especially shelter dogs. I adore clicker training but I want to say to those new to positive reinforcement training that you do not have to use a clicker! I do, but it takes some skill. If you want you can just say "yes" and deliver the treat. Some people find this easier (and helps keep their frustration level down). I mean, we want pos. reinforcement for people too and nothing better than quick success!!

[@deborahleao]

I love Sherri and Virginia! I have all of the Bow Wow videos, and they are awsome.

[@JackieFerrier]

She is clicking the intention the dog has to start to sit - watch again.

[@GrahamThompson99]

You can. They are used for people with learning difficulties.

[@urstruly83]

So if u dont have the clicker he wont do the command?

[@anotherjosephine]

hahaha i use snapple bottle caps, they work well to and they come with the drink (: i'm working it with horses though.