clicking with dogs & cats susan hart november 7, 2005
TRANSCRIPT
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
November 2005November 2005AALAS National Meeting, CTAD AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 33
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
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Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 44
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
November 2005November 2005AALAS National Meeting, CTAD AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 55
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
November 2005November 2005AALAS National Meeting, CTAD AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 66
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
November 2005November 2005AALAS National Meeting, CTAD AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 77
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!
November 2005November 2005AALAS National Meeting, CTAD AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 88
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
November 2005November 2005AALAS National Meeting, CTAD AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 99
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!
November 2005November 2005AALAS National Meeting, CTAD AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 1010
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
November 2005November 2005AALAS National Meeting, CTAD AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 1111
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
November 2005November 2005AALAS National Meeting, CTAD AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 1212
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
November 2005November 2005AALAS National Meeting, CTAD AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 1313
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
November 2005November 2005AALAS National Meeting, CTAD AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 1414
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
November 2005November 2005AALAS National Meeting, CTAD AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 1515
What Behaviors to Teach?What Behaviors to Teach?
Clinical SkillsClinical Skills Desensitization Desensitization
TechniquesTechniques Kennel Kennel
ManagementManagement Reactivity/Self Reactivity/Self
ControlControl GamesGames
November 2005November 2005AALAS National Meeting, CTAD AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 1616
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
November 2005November 2005AALAS National Meeting, CTAD AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 1717
DesensitizationDesensitization HandlingHandling MuzzlesMuzzles Cat bagCat bag Collars, jacketsCollars, jackets SlingsSlings
November 2005November 2005AALAS National Meeting, CTAD AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 1818
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
November 2005November 2005AALAS National Meeting, CTAD AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 1919
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
November 2005November 2005AALAS National Meeting, CTAD AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 2020
Cats can be trained too…Cats can be trained too…
November 2005November 2005AALAS National Meeting, CTAD AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 2121
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
November 2005November 2005AALAS National Meeting, CTAD AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 2222
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!
November 2005November 2005AALAS National Meeting, CTAD AALAS National Meeting, CTAD
Lunch & LearnLunch & Learn 2323
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