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"Clicker training" is a term used to describe a way of training dogs and other animals that has become increasingly popular in the last decade because of its gentle methods. The scientific term for "clicker training" is operant conditioning.

This form of training became know in the 1960's from dolphin trainers, who could not use collars or anything else to physically control the animals. It has gradually moved throughout large animal training and is finally now being used with pets.

Simply put, DOGS DO WHAT WORKS. If something good happens after a behavior, that behavior is likely to happen again. We can use this principal to encourage our dogs to make the choices we want them to, and these choices become good habits.

A clicker is used to communicate clearly to the dog that he is doing the right thing at a particular instant. And because you dog is enjoying the training (remember - good things are happening!), learning is accelerated. Your dog will think you are playing a very fun game, while all the time you're training!

What is Operant Conditioning?

Operant conditioning is the way any animal (humans included) interacts with and learns from its environment.

Another way to think about it is that "dogs do what works". They will repeat an action that has a positive consequence and but not one that has a negative consequence. Trainers can take advantage of that natural tendency by providing positive reinforcement (good stuff) following an action that they want the dog to repeat. In order for the dog to connect the positive reinforcement to the behavior that he is doing, the reinforcement must happen AS the behavior is occurring, not afterwards. The actual reinforcement can't always be delivered precisely to the dog as it happens, but a "clicker" can be used to build a bridge between the moment a behavior happens and the reinforcement.

Another word for bridge is "conditioned reinforcer" and is anything that wouldn't ordinarily be in the dog's environment. A primary reinforcer, on the other hand, is something that the dog automatically finds reinforcing, such as food or water. When a conditioned reinforcer is paired with a primary reinforcer, they become of equal importance to the dog. This is how the sound of the clicker becomes a conditioned reinforcer (Click = Treat)

The Clicker is a small plastic box with a metal strip that makes a sharp, clicking sound when pushed and released. Its value is that the unique sound is easy for the dogs to hear. It is faster than saying "Good dog!" and allows the trainer to mark with great precision the behavior for which the dog is being reinforced. Paired with something the animal finds very reinforcing, the clicker becomes a powerful tool for changing behavior.

For information about Operant Conditioning, Clicker Training go to Karen Pryor Clickertraining .