Introduction

Clicker training is a well-established method of training animals, and is based on the theory of operant conditioning developed by B F Skinner and first used for animal training by Marian and Keller Breland. You will find a more detailed page on the theory and its application to animal training on this site.

This is a photo of a clicker. It is about 5cm long and 2.5 cm across, and the metal plate inside the hole in the device makes a sharp click when it is pressed. The clicker is used to provide a clear communication between handler and dog. The dog is first taught that a click means a treat is coming. The handler "charges' the clicker by repeatedly clicking and giving a treat to the dog after each click. By treat, we mean something that is not the usual food that the dog gets and something that the dog will definitely like. We suggest that you do not buy manufactured treats, but use a mix of cheese and sausage or cooked meat. Make sure that the sausage does not contain onion. Cut the treats up into small pieces, the smallest size that the dog will work for. You are going to use a lot of them, so we suggest that you do not use big pieces.Of course, if your dog is not food-oriented, you can use anything which really excites him - a tug toy, a ball or another favourite object, or a game.

When the relationship between click and treat is understood by the dog, the clicker is then used to reinforce or mark good behaviour. Imagine that the clicker is a camera. When you click, you need to do it at the exact time that the desired behaviour is happening, as though you were taking a photo of it. A bit late and the photo is spoiled; a bit late with the clicker and you are not marking the behaviour.

Clicker training is done without a lead, without jerks or tugs, without placing the dog in the desired position, and without scolding if the dog fails to do what you want of him (or her).

Related articles

How to train with a clicker This is an article by Peta Clarke, who has been a professional animal trainer since 1996.  She worked at Steve Martin's Animal Encounters in Florida and has worked in several zoos in Australia. She has her own company, Animal Training Solutions, which provides training for humans on a number of animal related projects and also acts as a consultant to zoos and other organisations.She is a past chief instructor of Paws 4 Fun.

Motivating your dog, another article by Peta Clarke, giving her own experiences at motivating her dog, Russell, a boxer, during clicker training.