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Getting Into The "Click" With Clicker Training
from:Originally used in training animals such as dolphins and pigeons
and popularized by animal trainers such as Karen Pryor, clicker
training has become an effective means of training horses, cats,
birds, and of course dogs.
Clicker training is the process of training an animal using a
small plastic box, containing a metal plate, which, when pressed
makes a 'click' sound, indicating to the dog the precise
behavior that was correct. Another term you'll hear often when
it comes to this type of training is operant conditioning but
the more popular name remains "clicker training".
Some perceived disadvantages of clicker training
There are a few commonly apparent downsides to clicker training.
Probably the most obvious is the reliance on a clicker at all
times but in practice the clicker is usually only used when
starting out in training the dog in new behaviors or for perhaps
"refreshing" ones already learnt. Generally its use is not
needed or desired after this. One other mistaken shortcoming
with clicker training is that it cannot be used while you are in
a group of other dogs but this has been proved incorrect in many
clicker training classes where there a many dogs, owners and
clickers in one place.
The benefits of clicker training
The most important aspect to clicker training and the reason it
has become such a popular and effective training method is
because the click "marks" the exact behavior you want to
correctly instill. As an example, consider trying to teach your
dog a new behavior, whether it be to sit, stay, fetch or lie
down. Traditionally voice commands are used and involve, often
loud, instructions and quizzical looks from your pet. Once the
desired behavior is achieved, the dog is rewarded with a "good
dog" praise from you, a treat or a pat. The problem with this is
that by the time the reward is given, the dog has likely started
to do something else so it is not clear to it what the reward is
actually for.
Clicker training overcomes this by being used at exactly the
time your dog performs the behavior you want it to.
Lock and load - How clicker training works
The first step in clicker training is to condition your dog to
the sound of the click. Also know as "charging" or "loading" the
dog is given a reward, typically a small special tasty treat, at
the same time or immediately after the clicker is clicked. This
is repeated several times, in dogs usually anything between 5
and 10 times until the clicker can be used when the dog's
attention is elsewhere and just the sound of the click grabs its
immediate attention.
The second part to the training then is to use the click and
reward when your dog performs the exact behavior you want it to.
Of course the most important part to clicker training is getting
the click perfectly timed with the action you desire from your
dog.
The benefits of clicker training have been proven time and time
again and perhaps the most important one is how totally humane
and rewarding the entire training experience is for both you and
your best friend.
About the author:
Tyler Reese writes articles, reviews and topical tidbits for
theobedientdogtrainer.com. To find out more about clicker training
and general dog training secrets go to www.theobedientdogtrainer.com
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