Paws On Cue

What Exactly Is Clicker Training?

It is a teaching method that is taught based on how we know scientifically animals learn. Research has shown that any animal is more likely to learn and repeat actions that result in consequences the animal desires and enjoys. At Karen Pryor Academy, we call consequences “rewards” and the process is called reinforcement.

Clicker training, therefore, is positive reinforcement-based training.

Why is a clicker used? The essential difference between clicker training and other reward-based training is that the animal is told exactly which behavior earned it a reward. This information is communicated with a distinct and unique sound, a click, which occurs at the same time as the desired behavior. The reward follows. Without hearing a click during an action, an animal may not connect the reward with that action. With the click, a trainer can precisely “mark” behavior so that the animal knows exactly what it was doing.
Do Clickers and treats need to be used for behaviors forever? The answer to this question is no. Once the animal knows the behavior and it is on cue, you do not have to use the clicker.
(Karen Pryor Clicker Training)

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