Transcript CLICKER TRAINING

CLICKING
WITH
DOGS & CATS
Susan Hart
November 7, 2005
BACKGROUND
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Developed in the
1940s
Used with Zoo
animals in the 1960s
Interest spread to
the dog training
community in the
1990s
November 2005
AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
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SO, What is Clicker Training?
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A positive-reinforcement training
system
Based on Operant Conditioning
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Reinforced behavior will be repeated
Incorporates the use of a marker signal
(The CLICK) to tell the animal exactly
what it is doing right at that point in
time
November 2005
AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
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Benefits
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Means the same
thing all the time
Everyone who clicks
is “cool”
Convenient marker
signal
Learning is
permanent; “Quick &
they stick” 5-10
minute sessions
AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
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Using the Clicker
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Consistent and audible
noise maker
Use dominant hand
Press the clicker down
and then release
Click only once
Variety of types available
•
Use based on circumstances
November 2005
AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
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Clicker Training Basics
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Used for new behavior only
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Only click when you see the desired
behavior
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Eventual switch to a verbal marker
Variably reinforce
CLICK ONLY ONCE!
Immediately follow up with a reinforcer
November 2005
AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
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What are Reinforcers?
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Food—the tastier, the
better!
Praise
Toys
Favorite activity
Calm interaction
Aversive behavior to the
animal is stopped
BE SURE TO VARY THE
REINFORCERS!
November 2005
AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
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Essential Clicker Skills
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Timing
High rate of
reinforcement
Setting success criteria
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Distance
Duration
Generalizing to different
environments
AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
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Getting Started
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First step is teaching that CLICK = TREAT
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Referred to as “loading” or “charging” the clicker
Only noise the dog should hear is the click
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Don’t give any commands
Practice quick timing for treat/reward delivery
Never click without giving a reinforcer
Continue until the dog is paying attention to the
click
They will quickly try to figure out what
it takes to make you click!
November 2005
AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
9
Training Sessions
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Patience is essential
Break the training/behavior down into steps
(chaining)
Have a training plan, keep a journal of progress
Distraction-free environment to start
Short sessions (5-10 min)
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Can be several times a day
Keep the dog interested
Be clear about when the session is over
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Use a verbal cue, put the clicker down and put away the
reinforcers
Always end on a positive note
November 2005
AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
10
How to Get a Behavior With the
Clicker
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Capture the behavior
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Shaping
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Click when you see the behavior happen
Click for small pieces of the behavior
Lure/Reward
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Use a reinforcer to get the behavior you
want and then mark it with a click
November 2005
AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
11
Using the Target Stick
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Use a training stick or
just your hand
Used as a guide to
perform a behavior
Hold the stick out and
click and treat when the
dog approaches and
touches it
Useful when teaching
“touch” or positions such
as sitting on a scale
November 2005
AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
12
When to Speak!
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When the dog has learned the behavior and
provides it consistently (80% of the time) a
command (or CUE) can be added
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A cue can be verbal or a hand signal
Teach the dog that it only gets a reward when
the cue is given
November 2005
AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
13
Fading the Reward
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Once the behavior is learned you will no
longer need to treat for that behavior
BUT, surprises are great to keep them
guessing
November 2005
AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
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What Behaviors to Teach?
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Clinical Skills
Desensitization
Techniques
Kennel Management
Reactivity/Self
Control
Games
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AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
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Clinical Skills
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Positioning
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Scale
Exam table
Enter kennel or crate
Nail trimming, ear cleaning,
shaving
Manipulation – accept
restraint e.g., ECG
Blood collection – jugular,
cephalic
Urine collection
November 2005
AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
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Desensitization
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Handling
Muzzles
Cat bag
Collars, jackets
Slings
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AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
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Kennel Management
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To be effective, educate the staff
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Provide necessary equipment
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Books, clickers, treat bags, acceptable
Reinforce only calm behavior
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Appoint a coordinator
Teach “please” (sit for any behavior)
Exercises the mind and body
November 2005
AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
18
Kennel Manners
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Sit:
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before opening the door
Before putting on the leash
Before interactions with
technicians
Before feeding (“Quiet
kennel”)
Four on the floor at all
times
Recall, back, loose leash
November 2005
AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
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Cats can be trained too…
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AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
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Useful Tips
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Have a clicker and treats on you at all times—
you never know when you will need them
Always click and then treat
Always click when the behavior is happening
Only click once
Do not use the clicker to get attention
November 2005
AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
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Useful Tips, Cont.
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Use the right size & type of food for
reward
Vary the difficulty of the task
Keep the sessions short
Expect progress in small steps
Be patient & have fun!
November 2005
AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
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RESOURCES
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www.clickertraining.com
DON’T SHOOT THE DOG! By Karen
Pryor
Clicker Training for Dogs. By Karen
Pryor
www.clickandtreat.com
www.sitstay.com
www.dogandcatbooks.com
November 2005
AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & Learn
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