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| How Dog Training Works - Clicker Training: Introducing Commands |
by Hanna Harris
Clicker Training: Introducing Commands
The clicker is not inherently meaningful to the dog.
Like Pavlov's bell, the dog must learn that it means,
"Treats are coming!" via classical conditioning. To do
this, trainers "charge" the clicker by repeatedly
clicking and then immediately offering a treat. In this
way, the dog learns to pair the clicker with the treat.
Once the dog knows that a click means a treat, it is
ready to start learning new behaviors.
Trainers vary in their methods of eliciting a behavior.
Some advocate using food to lure the dog into
position. Others simply wait for the dog to offer the
behavior simultaneously. Most clicker trainers do not
advocate physically pushing the dog into position, as
that is counter to the force-free philosophy of clicker
training.
Once the dog offers the behavior, timing is critical.
The trainer must click at the exact moment that he
sees the behavior he wants. If the dog lies down and
then rolls over before the handler clicks, rolling over
has been marked as the desired behavior, not lying
down.
Dogs can learn complicated behavior patterns using
clicker training if you teach the sequence gradually.
For example, if you wanted to train your dog to jump
through a hoop, you might initially click and treat the
dog just for walking up to the hoop. Once the dog is
reliably walking up to the hoop, you would click only
when it stuck its head through the opening, and then
only when it walked through. Finally, you would click
only when the dog actually jumped through the hoop.
The standard for what will earn a reward keeps
getting higher as the dog learns each new step. This
is shaping.
Rather than giving a command and then teaching the
dog what it means, most clicker trainers prefer to
introduce the command only after the dog is reliably
offering the behavior. Luring motions (such as
holding a treat and moving it in front of the dog's
nose, then to the ground to teach a dog "down") can
be adapted into hand signals for commands by
stylizing the motion and eliminating the food lure.
Many trainers feel hand signals are easier for dogs to
learn that verbal signals anyway, but having a dog
that responds to either is ideal. Once a dog is
offering the desired behavior, the handler can begin
using the command so that the dog learns to
associate the two. Eventually, the handler will only
click the behavior if it was requested with a command,
not when it's offered spontaneously.
Clicker Training: Introducing Commands
The clicker is not inherently meaningful to the dog.
Like Pavlov's bell, the dog must learn that it means,
"Treats are coming!" via classical conditioning. To do
this, trainers "charge" the clicker by repeatedly
clicking and then immediately offering a treat. In this
way, the dog learns to pair the clicker with the treat.
Once the dog knows that a click means a treat, it is
ready to start learning new behaviors.
Trainers vary in their methods of eliciting a behavior.
Some advocate using food to lure the dog into
position. Others simply wait for the dog to offer the
behavior simultaneously. Most clicker trainers do not
advocate physically pushing the dog into position, as
that is counter to the force-free philosophy of clicker
training.
Once the dog offers the behavior, timing is critical.
The trainer must click at the exact moment that he
sees the behavior he wants. If the dog lies down and
then rolls over before the handler clicks, rolling over
has been marked as the desired behavior, not lying
down.
Dogs can learn complicated behavior patterns using
clicker training if you teach the sequence gradually.
For example, if you wanted to train your dog to jump
through a hoop, you might initially click and treat the
dog just for walking up to the hoop. Once the dog is
reliably walking up to the hoop, you would click only
when it stuck its head through the opening, and then
only when it walked through. Finally, you would click
only when the dog actually jumped through the hoop.
The standard for what will earn a reward keeps
getting higher as the dog learns each new step. This
is shaping.
Rather than giving a command and then teaching the
dog what it means, most clicker trainers prefer to
introduce the command only after the dog is reliably
offering the behavior. Luring motions (such as
holding a treat and moving it in front of the dog's
nose, then to the ground to teach a dog "down") can
be adapted into hand signals for commands by
stylizing the motion and eliminating the food lure.
Many trainers feel hand signals are easier for dogs to
learn that verbal signals anyway, but having a dog
that responds to either is ideal. Once a dog is
offering the desired behavior, the handler can begin
using the command so that the dog learns to
associate the two. Eventually, the handler will only
click the behavior if it was requested with a command,
not when it's offered spontaneously.
| Photo courtesy Hannah Harris This dog is being trained, or shaped, to jump through a hoop. |
| Photo courtesy Hannah Harris This dog has learned the hand signal for "high five." |
It's important to remember that animals are
contextual learners. That means that they
may understand a command in one place but
not another. A dog may be able to sit
flawlessly when the handler is standing, but
become very confused when the handler
gives the command from a sitting position.
When training a new command, handlers
need to add new contexts, backing up when
necessary, to help the dog generalize.
Next, we'll look at how to use clicker training to
get your dog to stop certain behaviors.
contextual learners. That means that they
may understand a command in one place but
not another. A dog may be able to sit
flawlessly when the handler is standing, but
become very confused when the handler
gives the command from a sitting position.
When training a new command, handlers
need to add new contexts, backing up when
necessary, to help the dog generalize.
Next, we'll look at how to use clicker training to
get your dog to stop certain behaviors.
Interview with Dan O'Leary, clicker trainer at PetSmart in Lexington, KY
when I got my first German Shepherd. After all, Shepherds were police dogs, or dogs like Rin Tin Tin, or Bullet (Roy Rogers' dog), so of course, they should be trained. So I signed up for a training class.
principles of clicker training, to fetch and high-five.
training, using choke chains, prong collars and leash corrections.
chains. Clicker training provides an alternative. Also, since clicker training does not require using physical force, a child or an older person can still train a big, strong dog.
usually with a leash correction, every time the make a mistake. This can cause them to "shut down" when they are uncertain of what to do. Since doing the wrong thing brings punishment, the dog does nothing. Clicker trained dogs, on the other hand, will experiment, trying different things in the hope that they will find the behavior that brings a reward. They are more engaged on the training process.
to be harder to grasp the idea that a dog can be trained using primarily rewards rather than primarily punishment.
to solve. Usually, it's common things, like housebreaking, destructive behavior, nipping, jumping, etc. Sometimes people have more serious problems, such as separation anxiety, aggression, or fear problems. Some of these problems can be addressed in a class situation and some may require private lessons.
greatly according to what the dog was bred to do. If a dog simply doesn't sit very often, it will take longer to teach Sit than to a dog who sits frequently. I believe it's about clear communication with the dog and discovering what is most motivating to the individual dog.
even children can be wonderful clicker trainers. Clicker training is dog-friendly and never involves harsh punishment or force. Dogs enjoy the mental stimulation of clicker training, and clicker training helps the whole family enjoy their dog because it strengthens communication and bonding.
dogs saves lives. |
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How Dog Training Works Topics 1. Introduction to How Dog Training Works 2. Reinforcers 3. Markers 4. Clicker Training: Introducing Commands 5. See all Dogs articles |
How Dog Training Works Topics 1. Introduction to How Dog Training Works 2. Reinforcers 3. Markers 4. Clicker Training: Introducing Commands 5. See all Dogs articles |
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