CLICKING WITH DOGS & CATS Susan Hart November 7, 2005

CLICKING CLICKING WITH WITH

DOGS & CATSDOGS & CATSSusan HartSusan Hart

November 7, 2005November 7, 2005

November 2005November 2005AALAS National Meeting, CTAD AALAS National Meeting, CTAD

Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 22

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

Developed in the Developed in the 1940s1940s

Used with Zoo Used with Zoo animals in the animals in the 1960s1960s

Interest spread to Interest spread to the dog training the dog training community in the community in the 1990s1990s



SO, What is Clicker SO, What is Clicker Training?Training?

A positive-reinforcement training A positive-reinforcement training systemsystem

Based on Operant ConditioningBased on Operant Conditioning• Reinforced behavior will be repeatedReinforced behavior will be repeated

Incorporates the use of a marker Incorporates the use of a marker signal (The CLICK) to tell the animal signal (The CLICK) to tell the animal exactly what it is doing right at that exactly what it is doing right at that point in timepoint in time



BenefitsBenefits Means the same Means the same

thing all the timething all the time Everyone who Everyone who

clicks is “cool”clicks is “cool” Convenient marker Convenient marker

signalsignal Learning is Learning is

permanent; “Quick permanent; “Quick & they stick” 5-10 & they stick” 5-10 minute sessionsminute sessions



Using the ClickerUsing the Clicker

Consistent and audible Consistent and audible noise makernoise maker

Use dominant handUse dominant hand Press the clicker down Press the clicker down

and then releaseand then release Click only onceClick only once Variety of types Variety of types

availableavailable• Use based on Use based on

circumstancescircumstances



Clicker Training BasicsClicker Training Basics

Used for new behavior onlyUsed for new behavior only• Eventual switch to a verbal markerEventual switch to a verbal marker• Variably reinforceVariably reinforce

Only click when you see the desired Only click when you see the desired behaviorbehavior• CLICK ONLY ONCE!CLICK ONLY ONCE!

Immediately follow up with a Immediately follow up with a reinforcerreinforcer



What are Reinforcers?What are Reinforcers? Food—the tastier, the Food—the tastier, the

better!better! PraisePraise ToysToys Favorite activityFavorite activity Calm interactionCalm interaction Aversive behavior to the Aversive behavior to the

animal is stoppedanimal is stopped

BE SURE TO VARY THE BE SURE TO VARY THE REINFORCERS!REINFORCERS!



Essential Clicker SkillsEssential Clicker Skills

TimingTiming High rate of High rate of

reinforcementreinforcement Setting success Setting success

criteriacriteria• DistanceDistance• DurationDuration• Generalizing to Generalizing to

different environmentsdifferent environments



Getting StartedGetting Started First step is teaching that CLICK = TREATFirst step is teaching that CLICK = TREAT

• Referred to as “loading” or “charging” the Referred to as “loading” or “charging” the clickerclicker

• Only noise the dog should hear is the clickOnly noise the dog should hear is the click Don’t give any commandsDon’t give any commands

• Practice quick timing for treat/reward deliveryPractice quick timing for treat/reward delivery• Never click without giving a reinforcerNever click without giving a reinforcer• Continue until the dog is paying attention to Continue until the dog is paying attention to

the clickthe click

They will quickly try to figure out They will quickly try to figure out what it takes to make you click!what it takes to make you click!



Training SessionsTraining Sessions Patience is essentialPatience is essential Break the training/behavior down into steps Break the training/behavior down into steps

(chaining)(chaining) Have a training plan, keep a journal of progressHave a training plan, keep a journal of progress Distraction-free environment to startDistraction-free environment to start Short sessions (5-10 min)Short sessions (5-10 min)

• Can be several times a dayCan be several times a day Keep the dog interestedKeep the dog interested Be clear about when the session is overBe clear about when the session is over

• Use a verbal cue, put the clicker down and put away the Use a verbal cue, put the clicker down and put away the reinforcersreinforcers

• Always end on a positive noteAlways end on a positive note



How to Get a Behavior With How to Get a Behavior With the Clickerthe Clicker

Capture the behaviorCapture the behavior• Click when you see the behavior happenClick when you see the behavior happen

ShapingShaping• Click for small pieces of the behaviorClick for small pieces of the behavior

Lure/RewardLure/Reward• Use a reinforcer to get the behavior you Use a reinforcer to get the behavior you

want and then mark it with a clickwant and then mark it with a click



Using the Target StickUsing the Target Stick

Use a training stick or Use a training stick or just your handjust your hand

Used as a guide to Used as a guide to perform a behaviorperform a behavior

Hold the stick out and Hold the stick out and click and treat when click and treat when the dog approaches the dog approaches and touches itand touches it

Useful when teaching Useful when teaching “touch” or positions “touch” or positions such as sitting on a such as sitting on a scalescale



When to Speak!When to Speak! When the dog has learned the behavior and provides it When the dog has learned the behavior and provides it

consistently (80% of the time) a command (or CUE) can be consistently (80% of the time) a command (or CUE) can be addedadded• A cue can be verbal or a hand signalA cue can be verbal or a hand signal

Teach the dog that it only gets a reward when the cue is Teach the dog that it only gets a reward when the cue is givengiven



Fading the RewardFading the Reward

Once the behavior is learned you will no Once the behavior is learned you will no longer need to treat for that behaviorlonger need to treat for that behavior

BUT, surprises are great to keep them BUT, surprises are great to keep them guessingguessing



What Behaviors to Teach?What Behaviors to Teach?

Clinical SkillsClinical Skills Desensitization Desensitization

TechniquesTechniques Kennel Kennel

ManagementManagement Reactivity/Self Reactivity/Self

ControlControl GamesGames



Clinical SkillsClinical Skills PositioningPositioning

• ScaleScale• Exam tableExam table

Enter kennel or crateEnter kennel or crate Nail trimming, ear Nail trimming, ear

cleaning, shavingcleaning, shaving Manipulation – accept Manipulation – accept

restraint e.g., ECGrestraint e.g., ECG Blood collection – jugular, Blood collection – jugular,

cephaliccephalic Urine collectionUrine collection



DesensitizationDesensitization HandlingHandling MuzzlesMuzzles Cat bagCat bag Collars, jacketsCollars, jackets SlingsSlings



Kennel ManagementKennel Management

To be effective, educate the staffTo be effective, educate the staff• Appoint a coordinatorAppoint a coordinator

Provide necessary equipmentProvide necessary equipment• Books, clickers, treat bags, acceptable Books, clickers, treat bags, acceptable

Reinforce only calm behaviorReinforce only calm behavior• Teach “please” (sit for any behavior)Teach “please” (sit for any behavior)

Exercises the mind and bodyExercises the mind and body



Kennel MannersKennel Manners Sit:Sit:

• before opening the doorbefore opening the door• Before putting on the leashBefore putting on the leash• Before interactions with Before interactions with

technicianstechnicians• Before feeding (“Quiet Before feeding (“Quiet

kennel”)kennel”) Four on the floor at all Four on the floor at all

timestimes Recall, back, loose leashRecall, back, loose leash



Cats can be trained too…Cats can be trained too…



Useful TipsUseful Tips

Have a clicker and treats on you at all Have a clicker and treats on you at all times—you never know when you will times—you never know when you will need themneed them

Always click and then treatAlways click and then treat Always click when the behavior is Always click when the behavior is

happeninghappening Only click onceOnly click once Do not use the clicker to get attentionDo not use the clicker to get attention



Useful Tips, Cont.Useful Tips, Cont.

Use the right size & type of food for Use the right size & type of food for rewardreward

Vary the difficulty of the taskVary the difficulty of the task Keep the sessions shortKeep the sessions short Expect progress in small stepsExpect progress in small steps Be patient & have fun!Be patient & have fun!



RESOURCESRESOURCES www.clickertraining.com DON’T SHOOT THE DOG! By Karen DON’T SHOOT THE DOG! By Karen

PryorPryor Clicker Training for Dogs. By Karen Clicker Training for Dogs. By Karen

PryorPryor www.clickandtreat.com www.sitstay.com www.dogandcatbooks.com

http://www.clickertraining.com/

http://www.clickandtreat.com/

http://www.sitstay.com/

http://www.dogandcatbooks.com/

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CLICKING WITH DOGS & CATS Susan Hart November 7, 2005