CLICKING WITH DOGS & CATS Susan Hart November 7, 2005

November 2005 AALAS National Meeting, CTAD Lunch & Learn2 BACKGROUND Developed in the 1940s Developed in the 1940s Used with Zoo animals in the 1960s Used with Zoo animals in the 1960s Interest spread to the dog training community in the 1990s Interest spread to the dog training community in the 1990s

November 2005 AALAS National Meeting, CTAD Lunch & Learn3 SO, What is Clicker Training? A positive-reinforcement training system A positive-reinforcement training system Based on Operant Conditioning Based on Operant Conditioning Reinforced behavior will be repeated 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 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 & Learn4 Benefits Means the same thing all the time Means the same thing all the time Everyone who clicks is “cool” Everyone who clicks is “cool” Convenient marker signal Convenient marker signal Learning is permanent; “Quick & they stick” 5-10 minute sessions Learning is permanent; “Quick & they stick” 5-10 minute sessions

November 2005 AALAS National Meeting, CTAD Lunch & Learn5 Using the Clicker Consistent and audible noise maker Consistent and audible noise maker Use dominant hand Use dominant hand Press the clicker down and then release Press the clicker down and then release Click only once Click only once Variety of types available Variety of types available Use based on circumstances Use based on circumstances

November 2005 AALAS National Meeting, CTAD Lunch & Learn6 Clicker Training Basics Used for new behavior only Used for new behavior only Eventual switch to a verbal marker Eventual switch to a verbal marker Variably reinforce Variably reinforce Only click when you see the desired behavior Only click when you see the desired behavior CLICK ONLY ONCE! CLICK ONLY ONCE! Immediately follow up with a reinforcer Immediately follow up with a reinforcer

November 2005 AALAS National Meeting, CTAD Lunch & Learn7 What are Reinforcers? Food—the tastier, the better! Food—the tastier, the better! Praise Praise Toys Toys Favorite activity Favorite activity Calm interaction Calm interaction Aversive behavior to the animal is stopped Aversive behavior to the animal is stopped BE SURE TO VARY THE REINFORCERS!

November 2005 AALAS National Meeting, CTAD Lunch & Learn8 Essential Clicker Skills Timing Timing High rate of reinforcement High rate of reinforcement Setting success criteria Setting success criteria Distance Distance Duration Duration Generalizing to different environments Generalizing to different environments

November 2005 AALAS National Meeting, CTAD Lunch & Learn9 Getting Started First step is teaching that CLICK = TREAT First step is teaching that CLICK = TREAT Referred to as “loading” or “charging” the clicker Referred to as “loading” or “charging” the clicker Only noise the dog should hear is the click Only noise the dog should hear is the click  Don’t give any commands Practice quick timing for treat/reward delivery Practice quick timing for treat/reward delivery Never click without giving a reinforcer Never click without giving a reinforcer Continue until the dog is paying attention to the click 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 & Learn10 Training Sessions Patience is essential Patience is essential Break the training/behavior down into steps (chaining) Break the training/behavior down into steps (chaining) Have a training plan, keep a journal of progress Have a training plan, keep a journal of progress Distraction-free environment to start Distraction-free environment to start Short sessions (5-10 min) Short sessions (5-10 min) Can be several times a day Can be several times a day Keep the dog interested Keep the dog interested Be clear about when the session is over Be clear about when the session is over Use a verbal cue, put the clicker down and put away the reinforcers Use a verbal cue, put the clicker down and put away the reinforcers Always end on a positive note Always end on a positive note

November 2005 AALAS National Meeting, CTAD Lunch & Learn11 How to Get a Behavior With the Clicker Capture the behavior Capture the behavior Click when you see the behavior happen Click when you see the behavior happen Shaping Shaping Click for small pieces of the behavior Click for small pieces of the behavior Lure/Reward Lure/Reward Use a reinforcer to get the behavior you want and then mark it with a click Use a reinforcer to get the behavior you want and then mark it with a click

November 2005 AALAS National Meeting, CTAD Lunch & Learn12 Using the Target Stick Use a training stick or just your hand Use a training stick or just your hand Used as a guide to perform a behavior Used as a guide to perform a behavior Hold the stick out and click and treat when the dog approaches and touches it 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 Useful when teaching “touch” or positions such as sitting on a scale

November 2005 AALAS National Meeting, CTAD Lunch & Learn13 When to Speak! When the dog has learned the behavior and provides it consistently (80% of the time) a command (or CUE) can be added When the dog has learned the behavior and provides it consistently (80% of the time) a command (or CUE) can be added A cue can be verbal or a hand signal A cue can be verbal or a hand signal Teach the dog that it only gets a reward when the cue is given Teach the dog that it only gets a reward when the cue is given

November 2005 AALAS National Meeting, CTAD Lunch & Learn14 Fading the Reward Once the behavior is learned you will no longer need to treat for that behavior Once the behavior is learned you will no longer need to treat for that behavior BUT, surprises are great to keep them guessing BUT, surprises are great to keep them guessing

November 2005 AALAS National Meeting, CTAD Lunch & Learn15 What Behaviors to Teach? Clinical Skills Clinical Skills Desensitization Techniques Desensitization Techniques Kennel Management Kennel Management Reactivity/Self Control Reactivity/Self Control Games Games

November 2005 AALAS National Meeting, CTAD Lunch & Learn16 Clinical Skills Positioning Positioning Scale Scale Exam table Exam table Enter kennel or crate Enter kennel or crate Nail trimming, ear cleaning, shaving Nail trimming, ear cleaning, shaving Manipulation – accept restraint e.g., ECG Manipulation – accept restraint e.g., ECG Blood collection – jugular, cephalic Blood collection – jugular, cephalic Urine collection Urine collection

November 2005 AALAS National Meeting, CTAD Lunch & Learn17 Desensitization Handling Handling Muzzles Muzzles Cat bag Cat bag Collars, jackets Collars, jackets Slings Slings

November 2005 AALAS National Meeting, CTAD Lunch & Learn18 Kennel Management To be effective, educate the staff To be effective, educate the staff Appoint a coordinator Appoint a coordinator Provide necessary equipment Provide necessary equipment Books, clickers, treat bags, acceptable Books, clickers, treat bags, acceptable Reinforce only calm behavior Reinforce only calm behavior Teach “please” (sit for any behavior) Teach “please” (sit for any behavior) Exercises the mind and body Exercises the mind and body

November 2005 AALAS National Meeting, CTAD Lunch & Learn19 Kennel Manners Sit: Sit: before opening the door before opening the door Before putting on the leash Before putting on the leash Before interactions with technicians Before interactions with technicians Before feeding (“Quiet kennel”) Before feeding (“Quiet kennel”) Four on the floor at all times Four on the floor at all times Recall, back, loose leash Recall, back, loose leash

November 2005 AALAS National Meeting, CTAD Lunch & Learn20 Cats can be trained too…

November 2005 AALAS National Meeting, CTAD Lunch & Learn21 Useful Tips Have a clicker and treats on you at all times— you never know when you will need them 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 and then treat Always click when the behavior is happening Always click when the behavior is happening Only click once Only click once Do not use the clicker to get attention Do not use the clicker to get attention

November 2005 AALAS National Meeting, CTAD Lunch & Learn22 Useful Tips, Cont. Use the right size & type of food for reward Use the right size & type of food for reward Vary the difficulty of the task Vary the difficulty of the task Keep the sessions short Keep the sessions short Expect progress in small steps Expect progress in small steps Be patient & have fun! Be patient & have fun!

November 2005 AALAS National Meeting, CTAD Lunch & Learn23 RESOURCES DON’T SHOOT THE DOG! By Karen Pryor DON’T SHOOT THE DOG! By Karen Pryor Clicker Training for Dogs. By Karen Pryor Clicker Training for Dogs. By Karen Pryor