An Abused Mule Responds to Clicker Training

Watch this amazing clip and see how clicker training works for even the most stubborn of animals. In this example a mule that had been
abused and then rescued is afraid of entering a specific stall. The trainer uses clicker training with the mule and the animal is eventually able to overcome the fears.
From the ClickFlicks Learning Center. www.clickertraining.tv
"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.clickertraining.com

[@makezmuzic]

What a wonderfully patient trainer. And beautiful mule.

[@horsechickie2]

That was so beautiful. What a lucky mule to have found a kind owner in you. Keep it up! :)

[@horsegodess]

This mule is so beautiful, i'm glad she was rescued. Oh, and nice job!! :)

[@ManzagolDesign001]

I love the way Ringo has his back feet nearly on the same line as the front there for awhile! One good looking mule, I must add...

[@luckygrla]

This is so nice to see an abused animal learning to trust again! Great job!

[@terriesales]

Very smart animal. A small back step over and over until none were able. Wow! Your video reinforces the importance of patience. Nicely done

[@MacHamish]

Thank you for posting this vid, this is amazing. :-)

[@fealomwen]

Watch Ringo's body language. He's just a tiny bit stressed at the beginning - he's not sure if he's going to be pushed or hurt - but he quickly calms down, relaxes, and moves where he is asked. The second time he walks into the stall, his body language says he's been doing it forever. Nice job! :)

[@TimpanistMoth_AyKayEll]

A classic. The training could be more precise, but it's still an inspirational story.

[@malteserus]

This is a great story and demo.

[@Pro3110]

You are soooooo right. Anyone who's been correctly trained in leading knows this.

[@cammarkgross]

What a beautiful mule.

[@horseridinggrl54]

That donkey is gorgeous!

[@jenrific]

What do you do if you forget your clicker or worse you click and realize you have run out of treats?

[@Pro3110]

The sound a clicker makes is so irritating to me that I could not use one to train. Despise and loathe the noise. Don't know what it is about it, but it immediately makes me mean.

[@Metqa]

To those comments which say the mule is only food motivated by food: Would you get up everyday & go to work just to hear your boss say "good job"? Nope, If your boss didn't follow up with a paycheck every week, you'd stop in your tracks just like that mule. The food is part of the training as the reward.the clicker tells him what he did right, and thus the mule knows what to do next time to get the reward.

[@Metqa]

This mule doesn't HAVE a trust bond with a human. It was abused by humans! The only thing it can count on is that food is good. Trust comes after action.

[@fealomwen]

If you forget your clicker, just use a marker word, like "yes." It's not as exact, but it works fine in a pinch. If you click and realize you're out of treats, give praise and some nice petting, or some other thing your dog likes, then go get some more treats. Neither of these should be regular problems, since clicker training is used more for teaching new behaviors than in day-to-day management / training.

[@passionforpiebalds]

gorgeous mule and will this work with any problem a horse may have e.g. bucking when riding in canetr for no reason....

[@englishrose62]

I LOVE RINGO

[@HBrownHorseTraining]

though this is better than some "trainers" i've seen on here, she's only teaching the animal to motivate for food. Clicker training doesnt create trust and a bond with the trainer but with the food.

[@dragonracer76]

hmm.. why did she stop walking forward? why not treat the stall like you do when loading. walk all the way in and don't stop at the opening. she stoped before he did. prime example

[@AeronRiding]

good job with him.... I'm all about the rescue critters!!! I wonder if he wouldn't have gone in anyway with just the treats?...... not that I have anything against clicker training!

[@theairalchemist]

how can you say its pointless she got the mule to go into the stall(washbox) in which he wouldn't before hand then second time in which he walked in no proplem. I have a human shy horse and yes i havn't don't clicker train i do parelli which is kinder the same princible. and it has great effects so don't be negative when the result is positive.

[@artgoat]

There's nothing magic about clickers. The click is called a "bridge" (between action and reward.) Anything can be a bridge, including voice. The important thing is consistency and promptness.

[@ACTMX]

"He is a mule after all" What's that suppose to mean?

[@fireflytattoo]

Then you don't click...and if you are a smart trainer..you ALWAYS have treats on you..for emergency. you eventually "ween" off the clicker when the behavior is consistant.

[@Pro3110]

Maybe that why I don't play slot machines, either! :)

[@slovakmath]

YES that was soooo funny! good training by the way, not forceful, let teh animal make the choice

[@Sirblaze1313]

Half the time in tis Video she is doing something wrong.... anyone no what?!?!?.....3.....2......1....no She is Looking at him... NEVER look at a horse/mule when trying to lead them... same thing with trailer trianing ....you don't look at the horse.... Basicly .. the shoulder means "Ok you can Pass"... you looking at them is a thret so they get a mixed sign;)

[@quiethorseranch]

You show your ignorance by saying the mule is stubborn. Mules have a VERY high sense of self preservation. They are cautious. Not stubborn!

[@dragonracer76]

and he is really pretty btw. lol