Clicker trainers are people who use a small device called a clicker to communicate with animals. They make a clicking sound when the animal does something right, and then reward it. This helps the animal understand what behavior is wanted from them and makes training effective and fun.
Full definition
Because clicker trainers don't use punishment, but instead reward behaviors they like, clicker - trained pets learn amazingly quickly and develop strong, deep bonds with the humans who train them.
Rather than looking for problems or ways to stop behavior,
clicker trainers look for solutions — ways to build behavior and set dogs up for success.
Most clicker trainers do not advocate physically pushing the dog into position, as that is counter to the force - free philosophy of clicker training.
It's many experiences, having to fix
what clicker trainers have failed to do, which prompted me to write this article.
If an unwanted behavior persists,
clicker trainers study the behavior to understand why it is reinforcing to the animal.
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.
But after going through the course, they realize that although they were good at using a clicker before, after completing the course they are
truly clicker trainers.
Further... have you ever noticed that the so - called experts that say there's no such thing are almost
always clicker trainers?
The new i - Click clicker was designed
by clicker trainers to provide the next generation tool for clicker training.
Norwegian trainers, authors, and Karen Pryor Clicker Expo Faculty members Morten Egtvedt and Cecilie Koeste are among the top
clicker trainers in the world.
In 2011, Michelle also earned her second CAP - 2, a Competency Assessment Program designed to provide a certification system validating the skill
of clicker trainers.
March / April 2012: ClickerExpo Nashville (3 - day event featuring
top clicker trainers and scientists from around the world)
A
great clicker trainer recognizes the effect of reinforcement in the bigger picture, taking advantage of naturally occurring reinforcers and setting the dog up to access them through behaviors that the trainer wishes to strengthen.
That is why those «purely positive»
clicker trainers fail when it comes to aggressive dogs; their methods can't work and that is why they avoid working with aggressive dogs, and why they are more likely to tell you to put your dog to death when their programs fail to stop the biting.
As well -
known clicker trainer Gary Wilkes says: «To assert that Pit Bulls are only aggressive if you train them to attack is to deny the existence of every other behaviour - specific breed on the planet... try telling a hunter that he paid $ 10 000 for a finished field pointer that had to be taught to point.
Similarly, dogs are a lot more complicated than the kind of organic vending
machine clicker trainers / operant conditioning promoters would have you believe.
Carol was the illustrator for «Forward» - the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructor's quarterly newsletter for many years and commissions illustrations for east
coast clicker trainer Virginia (Broitman) Dare including the video covers and chapter headings for her video series, including «The HOW of BOW WOW,» which won the 2004 Dog Writers Association of America competition.
For example, I have numerous clicker training books and videos in my own home library from the
best clicker trainers out there... and just a simple video teaching a handful of tricks is over an hour long.
This website draws on the work of Dr. Ian Dunbar,
clicker trainer Karen Pryor, Patricia McConnell, Emily Larlham, and many other dog training experts.
«As a
seasoned clicker trainer new to the world of animal sheltering, I was elated to hear that my alma mater had come out with a course that would help me apply my existing training skills in the shelter environment in the most efficient way.
I felt lucky not only to be able to attend the program close to home, but to have the support of such an
amazing clicker trainer!»
I completed (June 2011) a clicker training horse course in England with International
Horse clicker trainer Alexandra Kurland and a TTeam clinic in May 2011 with Catherine Williams.
Juliene is certified in the first level of the Competency Assessment Program (CAP)-- a program that assesses the ability
of clicker trainers and has completed training in safe handling techniques and attended numerous seminars from top trainers regarding canine behavior — and is an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator and is certified in Canine First Aid and CPR by the American Red Cross.
A great
clicker trainer looks at the whole picture, and recognizes that there are many reinforcers out there that are strengthening behavior already.
Clicker trainers use a clicker to shape a behavior — that is to say, they use the clicker to help and encourage a dog to work his own way through a behavior to the desired effect.
March 2016: ClickerExpo Cincinatti (3 - day event featuring
top clicker trainers and scientists from around the world)
A clicker trainer won't suffice.
No matter what method of training you use - whether you're a crossover trainer,
a clicker trainer, or any other method - we know you'll love this book.