What is clicker training?

[greekblue]

Can anyone explain me how the clicker works and what exactly is it?
I know sounds silly to not know, but I have only heard of it on this forum and I am not sure how it works.

Maybe you know a good book or website that explains how to clicker train?

[Cassiepeia]

www.clickertraining.com

Clicker training in a nut shell....
The clicker is used to mark the dogs behaviour. The sound of the clicker means (to the dog) "Yes! You've done the right thing and you will now get a treat".
So everytime the dog does something correct, you 'click/treat'. And the dog knows without any mistake, that it has done the right thing.

You need to teach the dog what the click means first and you do this by simply sitting down with the clicker in one hand, treats in the other, animal in front of you. And go...click, treat (giving the animal a treat), click, treat, click, treat etc... until the animal responds to the click.
You want the animal to associate the click with getting a treat. Once you've done that, you can quickly move onto teaching it a behaviour like targeting (touch). Just put your hand in front of your dog, wait for it to sniff (touch) your hand. The moment its nose touches your hand "Click and then treat". Do this over and over again...first few times just presenting your hand to the dog and then start to move your hand away so the animal actually has to make an effort to touch your hand.
What you're after is the dog touching your hand intentionally just to get the click/treat. Once it starts to do it intentionally (and you'll notice this easily) you can team the behaviour with a command.

Once the dog understands that it has to do the behaviour in order to get the click, it understands what the click means (ie: Yes, you've done the right thing and you will now get a treat).
Once it knows what the click means, you can use the clicker everytime the dog does something right.

You don't have to use the clicker or treats forever. The clicker is only to teach the behaviour, once it knows it you don't need the clicker anymore for that command and you can start to phase out the treats.

Hope I explained that ok.

Cass.

[greekblue]

Yes, Cass, that was very helpful and clear.
I only have one more question about it. Can the clicker be substituted with enthusiastic verbal appraisal instead? Praise/treat..... whenever the dog does something correct (maybe choosing a particular word that will mean the same as click, like for insteance:

bring it here. The dog brings it, you say Bravo!! and treat. The word Bravo have now substituted the click sound and the dog knows she does something correct when she hears this word from you. When she hears "Bravo" she can expect a treat. I might not have to use treats forever, but praising a dog, even though later occationally, I think it is important forever.
What do you think?

[Cassiepeia]

Yes, absolutely. People often use a word instead of the click (some use the word 'yes', but I think your word 'bravo' is a better choice as it's not commonly used in normal conversation). The "clicker" is only one tool you can use for "clicker" training. They use whistles for "clicker" training dolphins. So as long as you use the same word each time (just like the click is the same each time) it will have the same effect.

If you use the clicker, you can still use verbal praise. I did with my dog. "Touch" click/treat "good boy". Or you can use the clicker initially and then when the clicker is no longer needed for that particular command you can use praise in its place (which will continue forever).

Cass.

EDIT: The term "clicker training" is just the common name for 'operant conditioning', which is actually what this is. You know, like how we sometimes call vacuums 'hoovers' even though that's a brand name. LOL

[Carrie]

Actually, the concept of the clicker is based on classical conditioning or Pavlovian response. The clicker (a conditioned reinforcer) has no inherent value to the dog, but represents a primary reinforcer which is on it's way. It is very useful because you can not always get the reward to the dog quickly enough. The click marks the behvaior and tells the dog that what he just did is earning him a treat. (primary reinforcer) The clicker develops value of it's own when paired with a primary reinforcer.

It's like your paycheck. That is a conditioned reinforcer. It has no value in itself as a piece of paper with words and numbers written on it, but when you get it, you get all excited because of what it represents.....the things you buy with it. (primary reinforcer) You have come to learn that the paycheck is a good thing (classical conditioning) because of what it buys. (operant conditioning)

Operant conditioning is about the primary reinforcer. You do this and that happens. Behavior to consequence.

Some good books are: Culture Clash, by Jean Donaldson...Don't Shoot the Dog, Karen Pryor (queen of clicker training. lol) and The Power of Positive Training, Pat Miller. There are others, but the first two I especially, highly recommend, especially the first one. LOL.

The benifit of the clicker is that it has been thought to register in the limbic system of the central nervous system rather than in the cortex. It appears that the distinctive sound of the clicker is more effective. However, I, personally don't always use a clicker. I forget and leave it behind or whatever. So, I do substitute the word, "yesssss!" for the clicker. the clicker sound is just so distinct and quick...very precise.

I like these articles:

http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/index.htm

[greekblue]

I would like to use the words "Good Job!" and a "hug/petting", Is it ok, or is it too much because there are too words? Can I use the hugging part?

The breed I am getting are very loyal and devoted to one owner. They will do anything they can to please him / her. I have read about the breed that they usually do better when they feel they have the appraisal / approval of their owner than when they are simply waiting to get a treat. They respond very well to firm / strict, but positive attitute and praise in the voice of their owner even when there was not food involved in the training. They call them "velcro" dogs. It is not that they do not like or respond to the treats; it is just that they respond even better when they know that they have gained the approval of their owner -- even if there is not treat expected.

[Cassiepeia]

Personally if it were me, I would only use the "good job" praise after I'd given the dog the treat part of 'click/treat'. So *click*-*treat*-"Good Job!" (then add in the hug or petting if you like).

I've seen video of someone clicker training a cat and they used petting and food as the 'treat'. Treat doesn't always have to equal food. It can be a toy or praise, whatever the animal responds to the best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q787R2DNDJI - this is the video of the cat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjWfXi43WSk - A guy teaching his dog to touch on command (this man has several videos of him clicker training his dog).
This is a good site too http://www.clickertrainusa.com/.


Cass.

[greekblue]

I like your approach, Cass, and thanks for the videos.

[Rivsky]

Don't worry too much about how you will praise your pup (hugging/petting/treat) - trust me they soon let you know what they'll "work" for and won't they won't!!!

As long as you have some sort of audio cue that you use consistently to mark the right behaviour the rest will fall into place.

[greekblue]

Yes, Rivsky, you are right! I worry too much. I just want to do what is best for my puppy and I think I am a little afraid.

[Rivsky]

Try not to be too afraid you are doing so much planning BEFORE you even have your pup which is a lot more than can be said for many people!! Try and relax a bit though and enjoy the whole puppy experience - it really does go by so fast!!

[Carrie]

Hugging a dog can actually be perceived as a punishment. That is not a natural way for dogs to show affection. It's a primate thing. Patting too. Patting a dog on top of his head....that slappy way is really a punishment. The only reason dogs learn to like the stroking kind of patting is it's usually associated with a good thing and it becomes tolerable and even pleasurable especially behind the ear rubs and belly scratches. Look at photos of dogs being hugged. They usually look pretty miserable with their heads turned sideways as a calming signal. Hugging is to a dog intrusive and aggressive. Some do learn to tolerate it.

To reward a dog, use something he REALLY loves, ususally food (tiny tid bits) but not always. It depends. If a dog wants to go outside very badly, he probably isn't interested in food at that moment. He wants to go out. So, trade him a behavior you want him to do for the reward of opening the door to go out. Or he may really want you to give him a ball. Ask for a skill first if he's been taught.....like sit. Rewards vary depending on what the dog might want at any given time.

If you are going to use a word instead of a clicker, use a word you don't use at other times. Make it short. Long vocalizations don't mark a behavior which only lasts a second or two in duration. I use "yessssss" and it's short and distinctive sounding. I might use "yes" in regular conversation but this has lots of sssss at the end. LOL. So it's different.

But the clicker is really neat because it's not like our voices at all. There's a real distinction for them.

I agree with Rivsky. Have fun with your pup and let him be a puppy...make learning fun and never boring....short little training times, even one or two tries of something and then come back to it later. It is a good thing that you're looking into stuff first.

[Flutterby]

Originally Posted by Carrie

If you are going to use a word instead of a clicker, use a word you don't use at other times. Make it short. Long vocalizations don't mark a behavior which only lasts a second or two in duration. I use "yessssss" and it's short and distinctive sounding. I might use "yes" in regular conversation but this has lots of sssss at the end. LOL. So it's different.

I also use "Yes", but it's fairly high pitched, short, and comes out more like "Yiss". LOL

Lanie
And The Zoo
Royal Star Estates
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