DOES MY DOG NEED SPECIAL THERAPY DOG TRAINING?
What kind of training is necessary for therapy dogs - and all dogs? ...
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* Special "Therapy Dog Training" is NOT necessary to become a Therapy Team. However - the trainer and method of training you choose coupled with your ability to practice those techniques in a variety of environments will have a far more significant impact on your dog's confidence, comfort and both short and long term success as a Therapy Dog.
Not ALL dogs can or should be Therapy Dog's
regardless of training & socialization.
"It is important to note that a dog’s perception can differ greatly from a human’s perception of the very same event. ... All the screening and training in the world will not prepare a dog for the challenges of intimacy and emotion encountered in visiting animal programs. ... Handler’s who protect their dogs from undo stress increase their dog’s confidence. Success breeds confidence and confidence encourages continued growth. ... Effective visiting process consists of handlers who appropriately present their dogs and dogs who appropriately receive the people being visited. Handlers must be familiar with ways to reward appropriate behaviors and redirect inappropriate behaviors of their dogs during visits without using noticeable techniques or corrections during visits. "
- Kris Butler, Therapy Dogs Today, Their Gifts, Our Obligation |
WE HEAR YOU! Good Therapy Dogs DO Think & Innovate while being themselves! Our goal is to preserve and nurture your dog's spontaneous, natural curiosity, interest, and joy for interacting with others - while teaching the appropriate manners and teamwork necessary to be a safe and effective therapy TEAM!
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Many candidates would like to enroll in specialized "therapy dog training" and graduate with a therapy dog. This is understandable but not realistic. True Therapy Dog Training is on-going, on the job, in real life situations. But a solid foundation of relaxed reliable responses to basic verbal/visual cues on a LOOSE leash in a variety of social situations, a thorough knowledge of and connection with your dog must come first.
Specialized "therapy dog training" is not necessary to lay this foundation and may even be building on quicksand. The trainer you choose and the techniques you learn to teach your dog basic skills while socializing in a variety of unfamiliar locations will have a far greater impact on your success as a therapy team. Consistent repetition and practice - as directed! - by a good positive reinforcement trainer BETWEEN classes AND beyond will be what makes the greatest difference.
No dog is trained in any 1 class per week - even "Therapy Dog Training". The time you devote to practicing what you learn in any basic class every day - working up to practicing in as many unfamiliar locations with as many strangers as possible coupled with your Pet Partners Handlers Workshop is what will develop the relationship with your dog necessary for therapy work. Every dog is different. Every handler is different. And every animal/handler team's lifestyle is different. These variables all determine where a team will begin as well as how fast they will progress.
For these and many many other reasons we HIGHLY RECOMMEND true Positive Reinforcement/Reward Based Dog Training! Taught by a good professionally trained Positive Reinforcement Trainer!
Specialized "therapy dog training" is not necessary to lay this foundation and may even be building on quicksand. The trainer you choose and the techniques you learn to teach your dog basic skills while socializing in a variety of unfamiliar locations will have a far greater impact on your success as a therapy team. Consistent repetition and practice - as directed! - by a good positive reinforcement trainer BETWEEN classes AND beyond will be what makes the greatest difference.
No dog is trained in any 1 class per week - even "Therapy Dog Training". The time you devote to practicing what you learn in any basic class every day - working up to practicing in as many unfamiliar locations with as many strangers as possible coupled with your Pet Partners Handlers Workshop is what will develop the relationship with your dog necessary for therapy work. Every dog is different. Every handler is different. And every animal/handler team's lifestyle is different. These variables all determine where a team will begin as well as how fast they will progress.
For these and many many other reasons we HIGHLY RECOMMEND true Positive Reinforcement/Reward Based Dog Training! Taught by a good professionally trained Positive Reinforcement Trainer!
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NO CHOKE, PRONG, PINCH or E-COLLARS! "AVSAB's position is that punishment (E.G. CHOKE CHAINS, PINCH COLLARS & E-COLLARS) should not be used as a first-line or early-use treatment for behavior problems." - American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior |
Consider how your dog experiences learning & unpredictable situations!
IT'S NOT AS DIFFICULT AS YOU MIGHT THINK! |
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#2 - "Yay! This is new and different! I don't know what he/she wants from me (what he/she may do or what might happen any minute)? But based on past experience every time I learn new things I get things I love so I'm eager to listen, think and learn! What's next? Bring it on! Yay!" |
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*** Please click HERE for great information about what Clicker Training is and why it works! (or scroll down for Q&A)
START EARLY! Regardless of what goals or expectations we may or may not have for our dogs puppy training and socialization should begin as early as possible. Mothers teach their pups right from birth and so must we to assure their happiness – always in a relaxed, consistent, pro-active manner regardless of size or breed (see Leadership , NOT Dominance) Positive Reinforcement is important to build confidence and problem solving skills. The earlier training and socialization begins the easier it will be (see our puppy section) but older dogs, even dogs with behavioral issues, with a little more time and effort to varying degrees, can be trained effectively as well. Habits, good and bad, form early and not all dogs, regardless of training, have the innate aptitude to be safe, effective and happy therapy dogs but it’s not always as difficult as many people think - IF the handler is willing to be consistent.
All Angel Paws/Pet Partners® TEAMS (1 animal, 1 handler) must pass a 22 part skills and aptitude test by a licensed evaluator. BOTH animals AND handlers are scored both separately and as a TEAM in terms of how they interact with each other at the same time they are interacting with others in a variety of situations. Dogs must be at least 1 year old and have lived with their owner for at least 6 months to be evaluated.
While preparing your dog for Therapy Dog work it's very important to remember that this is the ONLY activity - including recreational sports or competitions - that requires your dog to be comfortable sustaining 10 to 20 minutes of personal and/or even intimate interaction with stranger after stranger for a prolonged period of time - usually 1 to 2 hours (2 hours maximum!). This is not natural for any dog no matter how friendly, well socialized or even well trained but when properly prepared our therapy dogs do enjoy and look forward to working in this capacity with great enthusiasm!
VERBAL/VISUAL CUES Our therapy dogs must respect and willingly respond to US and the CLIENTS they visit NOT to their collars – this means having a consistent understanding and WILLING, RELAXED response to PLEASANT, VERBAL &/or VISUAL cues while on a LOOSE leash. The leash and collar should be an insurance policy or momentary back-up rather than a handle, crutch, steering wheel or corrective devise. Power struggles, no matter who is winning or how big or small the dog, are unacceptable. As are harsh verbal commands or physical corrections.
Off leash training is wonderful too, however therapy dogs must be comfortable walking close to their handler on a loose leash and it is not uncommon for some dogs (and handlers) who have been trained primarily off leash (without sufficient practice also on a leash) to be unexpectedly challenged while using a leash.
ABSOLUTELY NO choke, slip, metal, prong, pinch, shock or training collars are allowed either during the evaluation or on visits and can be a difficult (though not impossible) habit to break after years, months or even weeks of use so we STRONGLY DISCOURAGE their use for training purposes for many reasons – however, all training methods are acceptable as long as the desired results are achieved. (Gentle Leader type head halters, nylon martingales and some harnesses are allowed) Another challenge to the use of correction collars (aside from the often hidden but suppressive and intimidating effect they have on many dogs and the lack of teaching appropriate behaviors) is that handlers often do not develop their own necessary positive reinforcement skills and habits of consistently using verbal/visual cues followed by immediate praise/reward for desired behavior and so can be difficult and confusing to both animal and handler down the line - especially when it's time for the subtle guidance during true on the job training as true therapy dog training is on-going. Please see Equipment requirements if you are considering or have used ANY alternative training collars & our own Dog Training Position Statement.
PROFESSIONAL HELP (Please see our own Dog Training Position Statement & Angel Paws Therapy Dog Training Course pages as well as the AVSAB Position Statement on How to Choose a Trainer) Appropriate clicker training - based on scientific research - is very effective (especially for the finer points of positioning, targeting, and other visiting skills) but it is important to learn these techniques from a reputable professional clicker trainer, practice them precisely as recommended and appropriately phase out both clicker and intermittent treat rewards ASAP. No clickers, toys or treats are allowed during the evaluation and treats or toys are only sparingly allowed on visits for social purposes only rather than for training, lure or control. (eg. client offers treat simply to bond, or throws a ball to play as part of therapy or recreation.) It is also important to note that clickers are not mandatory even in clicker training classes. Distinctive verbal markers reserved ONLY for the situations when a clicker would be used may be substituted for a clicker if dogs are overly sensitive to the sound of a clicker or handlers would prefer not to use them.
"THERAPY DOG TRAINING" Many candidates expect or would like to attend a "therapy dog training class" and "graduate" with "a therapy dog". This is understandable but not realistic. There are far too many variables (previous experience, lifestyle, time devoted to training & socialization etc.) that determine where a team is beginning and how long that process will take. Angel Paws' Pet Partners candidates are ultimately responsible for their own dog training in order to develop the necessary relationship with their dogs for this work so candidates are encouraged to carefully review our Therapy Dog Training and Essential Tips for Therapy Dog Training pages regardless of where you train your dog. Our volunteer candidates are offered discounts on dog training with various recommended dog trainers who are also familiar with our requirements. We encourage you to contact us for a trainer referral and advise on how to most appropriately start working with your dog (or at least be mindful of) right away before you begin training and rather than wait for one of our Therapy Dog Training classes to begin. "Positive Reinforcement" means many things to different people so please also see our Therapy Dog Training Position Statement, Can My dog be a Therapy Dog?, What IS Positive Reinforcement?, Essential Tips for Therapy Dog Training and other related links.
All Angel Paws/Pet Partners® TEAMS (1 animal, 1 handler) must pass a 22 part skills and aptitude test by a licensed evaluator. BOTH animals AND handlers are scored both separately and as a TEAM in terms of how they interact with each other at the same time they are interacting with others in a variety of situations. Dogs must be at least 1 year old and have lived with their owner for at least 6 months to be evaluated.
While preparing your dog for Therapy Dog work it's very important to remember that this is the ONLY activity - including recreational sports or competitions - that requires your dog to be comfortable sustaining 10 to 20 minutes of personal and/or even intimate interaction with stranger after stranger for a prolonged period of time - usually 1 to 2 hours (2 hours maximum!). This is not natural for any dog no matter how friendly, well socialized or even well trained but when properly prepared our therapy dogs do enjoy and look forward to working in this capacity with great enthusiasm!
VERBAL/VISUAL CUES Our therapy dogs must respect and willingly respond to US and the CLIENTS they visit NOT to their collars – this means having a consistent understanding and WILLING, RELAXED response to PLEASANT, VERBAL &/or VISUAL cues while on a LOOSE leash. The leash and collar should be an insurance policy or momentary back-up rather than a handle, crutch, steering wheel or corrective devise. Power struggles, no matter who is winning or how big or small the dog, are unacceptable. As are harsh verbal commands or physical corrections.
Off leash training is wonderful too, however therapy dogs must be comfortable walking close to their handler on a loose leash and it is not uncommon for some dogs (and handlers) who have been trained primarily off leash (without sufficient practice also on a leash) to be unexpectedly challenged while using a leash.
ABSOLUTELY NO choke, slip, metal, prong, pinch, shock or training collars are allowed either during the evaluation or on visits and can be a difficult (though not impossible) habit to break after years, months or even weeks of use so we STRONGLY DISCOURAGE their use for training purposes for many reasons – however, all training methods are acceptable as long as the desired results are achieved. (Gentle Leader type head halters, nylon martingales and some harnesses are allowed) Another challenge to the use of correction collars (aside from the often hidden but suppressive and intimidating effect they have on many dogs and the lack of teaching appropriate behaviors) is that handlers often do not develop their own necessary positive reinforcement skills and habits of consistently using verbal/visual cues followed by immediate praise/reward for desired behavior and so can be difficult and confusing to both animal and handler down the line - especially when it's time for the subtle guidance during true on the job training as true therapy dog training is on-going. Please see Equipment requirements if you are considering or have used ANY alternative training collars & our own Dog Training Position Statement.
PROFESSIONAL HELP (Please see our own Dog Training Position Statement & Angel Paws Therapy Dog Training Course pages as well as the AVSAB Position Statement on How to Choose a Trainer) Appropriate clicker training - based on scientific research - is very effective (especially for the finer points of positioning, targeting, and other visiting skills) but it is important to learn these techniques from a reputable professional clicker trainer, practice them precisely as recommended and appropriately phase out both clicker and intermittent treat rewards ASAP. No clickers, toys or treats are allowed during the evaluation and treats or toys are only sparingly allowed on visits for social purposes only rather than for training, lure or control. (eg. client offers treat simply to bond, or throws a ball to play as part of therapy or recreation.) It is also important to note that clickers are not mandatory even in clicker training classes. Distinctive verbal markers reserved ONLY for the situations when a clicker would be used may be substituted for a clicker if dogs are overly sensitive to the sound of a clicker or handlers would prefer not to use them.
"THERAPY DOG TRAINING" Many candidates expect or would like to attend a "therapy dog training class" and "graduate" with "a therapy dog". This is understandable but not realistic. There are far too many variables (previous experience, lifestyle, time devoted to training & socialization etc.) that determine where a team is beginning and how long that process will take. Angel Paws' Pet Partners candidates are ultimately responsible for their own dog training in order to develop the necessary relationship with their dogs for this work so candidates are encouraged to carefully review our Therapy Dog Training and Essential Tips for Therapy Dog Training pages regardless of where you train your dog. Our volunteer candidates are offered discounts on dog training with various recommended dog trainers who are also familiar with our requirements. We encourage you to contact us for a trainer referral and advise on how to most appropriately start working with your dog (or at least be mindful of) right away before you begin training and rather than wait for one of our Therapy Dog Training classes to begin. "Positive Reinforcement" means many things to different people so please also see our Therapy Dog Training Position Statement, Can My dog be a Therapy Dog?, What IS Positive Reinforcement?, Essential Tips for Therapy Dog Training and other related links.
"Tools are not Teaching. Tools facilitate teaching, as long as there is teaching present. As a society we tend to rely on tools to get things done. ... However, dog training is the rare discipline where one is teaching two different species simultaneously, both beginners, how to communicate. Therefore it is imperative not only for you to learn how to use tools correctly but also how to teach your dog the new behavior that you would like them to perform. Otherwise they will do what works, and in many cases pulling works just fine to get them where they want to go."
| tools_vs._teaching.pdf |
" I realized that intending to use positive reinforcement was not the same as using it effectively. ... Technique matters. ... A few weeks or a month of good technique may include bursts of obscene machine gun clicking. The alternative is months or years of slow feeding and searching for the miracle cure that may or may not come. ... While providing feedback at the right moment in time is important, it is equally important to raise expectations in small, measured increments. ... Really, it’s not a moral issue. At the end of the day we want dog training that works."
| treat_training_trinity.pdf |
Socialization is equally important to training and should be practiced together. For more information on Socializing your dog please see our SOCIALIZATION and LEADERSHIP pages. (Leadership is NOT to be confused with dominance).
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WHY POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT?
Please click HERE for answers to many questions about Clicker Training or scroll down for Q & A!
Please click HERE for answers to many questions about Clicker Training or scroll down for Q & A!
| why_i_train_dogs_the_way_i_train.pdf |
"This difference in attitude is something I have always struggled to explain to people. I am not sure I would have seen it had I not had two sets of dogs, both of whom I had trained for several months, right in front of my eyes. ... The only difference in these dogs was in the method of training I had taught the families to use. ... I believe the clicker trained dogs were happier and at this point in their training, their skills were far ahead of the rest of the class." - Robin Bennett
Although a lot of training methods focus on "obedience" behaviors for therapy work it is equally important to consider the dogs experience of that behavior - how they think and feel about that behavior. It's essential for therapy dogs to be relaxed, confident and happy while behaving with manners as opposed to merely obeying. Although candidates are free to either train their own dogs or choose to work with whatever trainer they like, we highly recommend positive reinforcement/reward behaviorist based training methods with a flat buckle collar. (Please see our own Dog Training Position Statement , Angel Paws Therapy Dog Training Course and Recommended Trainers pages too) This usually includes a immediate, consistent clicker or verbal marker followed by treats &/or toys as reward for desired behavior, balanced with a strong, calm and pro-active leadership role to manage and redirect inappropriate behavior on the part of the handler – every day! Not ALL day but at least a little bit every day as instructed until new behaviors are learned. Once new behaviors are learned clicks and treats are phased out and replaced by simple verbal praise. We promise you your relationship with your dog will only improve and you will both be happier. In addition to learning to willingly respond to basic verbal &/or visual cues (sit, down, stay, heel &/or walk close by, wait, off or leave it) SOCIALIZATION; CONFIDENCE, TRUST, LEADERSHIP and MUTUAL RESPECT are ALL equally important – and ALL take some consistent effort (usually with the help of a professional) on the part of the handler.
Unfortunately, the relaxed trust and confident, light hearted, spontaneous curiosity necessary for safe and effective therapy work is often sacrificed (particularly in unfamiliar circumstances with unfamiliar people) in favor of control as a result of correction collar (aversive) “obedience” training methods or even the seemingly benevolent use of choke or pinch collars (or even old fashioned leash popping techniques) in combination with positive reinforcement. Similarly, deference or respect and control are often sacrificed in favor of spontaneity by inadvertently reinforcing undesired behavior with acceptance, excessive unearned affection &/or lack of consistently managed rules, boundaries and limitations.
For the unique requirements of therapy dog work – SOCIALIZATION (on leash, AWAY from home, including public indoor settings other than the vet’s office or pet store), LEADERSHIP,(Leadership is NOT to be confused with dominance) TRUST and MUTUAL RESPECT are ALL equally important. The consensus among professionals with decades of experience - and scientific research - have found that quality, positive reinforcement/reward based training consistently administered by a calm, pro-active leader in a variety of unfamiliar venues with a variety of unfamiliar people (both in and AWAY from home) is most likely to produce the desired results necessary for safe, effective and happy therapy dog teams – regardless of size or breed.
Contrary to what some believe, if practiced correctly and consistently, your dog’s training will be a game they enjoy playing with you, will only enhance their mannerly confident enthusiasm for interacting with strangers and will not “break their spirit” or change their personality as some dog owners fear. Positive Reinforcement Training is much more than treats and love so be sure to visit our Positive Reinforcement page and seek professional help ASAP.
Unfortunately, the relaxed trust and confident, light hearted, spontaneous curiosity necessary for safe and effective therapy work is often sacrificed (particularly in unfamiliar circumstances with unfamiliar people) in favor of control as a result of correction collar (aversive) “obedience” training methods or even the seemingly benevolent use of choke or pinch collars (or even old fashioned leash popping techniques) in combination with positive reinforcement. Similarly, deference or respect and control are often sacrificed in favor of spontaneity by inadvertently reinforcing undesired behavior with acceptance, excessive unearned affection &/or lack of consistently managed rules, boundaries and limitations.
For the unique requirements of therapy dog work – SOCIALIZATION (on leash, AWAY from home, including public indoor settings other than the vet’s office or pet store), LEADERSHIP,(Leadership is NOT to be confused with dominance) TRUST and MUTUAL RESPECT are ALL equally important. The consensus among professionals with decades of experience - and scientific research - have found that quality, positive reinforcement/reward based training consistently administered by a calm, pro-active leader in a variety of unfamiliar venues with a variety of unfamiliar people (both in and AWAY from home) is most likely to produce the desired results necessary for safe, effective and happy therapy dog teams – regardless of size or breed.
Contrary to what some believe, if practiced correctly and consistently, your dog’s training will be a game they enjoy playing with you, will only enhance their mannerly confident enthusiasm for interacting with strangers and will not “break their spirit” or change their personality as some dog owners fear. Positive Reinforcement Training is much more than treats and love so be sure to visit our Positive Reinforcement page and seek professional help ASAP.
How To Choose a Trainer - AVSAB
"Choosing a dog trainer can be one of the most important decisions that you make in your dog's life. The techniques that a trainer uses can strongly affect how you interact with your dog for years to come. Therefore, it is very important to choose your trainer wisely. Here are some guidelines for choosing a dog trainer. Remember, training should be a fun experience for both you and your dog. ... Trainers who routinely use choke collars, pinch collars, shock collars and other methods of physical punishment as a primary training method should be avoided. " - AVSAB
"Choosing a dog trainer can be one of the most important decisions that you make in your dog's life. The techniques that a trainer uses can strongly affect how you interact with your dog for years to come. Therefore, it is very important to choose your trainer wisely. Here are some guidelines for choosing a dog trainer. Remember, training should be a fun experience for both you and your dog. ... Trainers who routinely use choke collars, pinch collars, shock collars and other methods of physical punishment as a primary training method should be avoided. " - AVSAB
WHAT IF TRAINING COLLARS ARE USED "CORRECTLY" &/or in combination with Positive Reinforcement?
To use a shock, pinch or choke collars as an effective dog training method you will need:
To use a shock, pinch or choke collars as an effective dog training method you will need:
- A thorough understanding of canine behavior.
- A thorough understanding of learning theory.
- Impeccable timing.
"To truly comprehend why food is so powerful, you must first understand the influence it has on the dog’s brain. Food has the power to not only enhance a dog’s ability to learn but also helps a dog overcome fear or anxiety by raising the levels of dopamine in the brain and stimulating the desire to seek or move towards the food reward. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a major role in reward-driven learning and helps regulate movement and emotional responses. There are circuits in the dog’s brain that encourage seeking or hunting behavior and circuits that elicit the fear response. Turning on the thinking brain deactivates the emotional brain, enhancing a dog’s attentiveness with positive motivation and allowing him to move into a calmer state where learning can take place.
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Journal of Veterinary Behavior Clinical Applications & Research *** “They (choke, prong & e-collars) do not work the way people think they do, and there are better tools and understandings for accomplishing what people who use these seek to accomplish. Such tools ‘work’ by engendering fear, pain, and distrust, and in doing so they cause long-term damage that make dogs more reactive, less trusting, and less able to reach their full potential in their partnership with humans, no matter what form that partnership takes. ... 'Obedient' dogs can be quite distressed, and suffer from profound anxiety while complying with a request. ... These are not my opinions: these are the findings from the scientific literature, and this is an essential point. As a scientist I do not have the luxury of claiming that I am right because I have done something one way for years, nor do I have the ability to assert that a technique does not injure dogs when the evidence indicates otherwise. Science is about understanding patterns in how the world works and, as such, provides a methodology by which we can test claims and assertions. When these adversarial methods have been tested rigorously, they have been found wanting. ... A blind reliance on these methods is preventing handlers and trainers from having a partnership with science and scientists that would benefit both of them. The historic use of adversarial, coercive techniques no longer makes sense given what we now know about dog cognition and learning. We can do better. The canine handler teams that work best are those that best understand and trust each other. Anything that interferes with that trust and understanding is hurting the team." - Karen Overall, Journal of Veterinary Behavior Clinical Applications & Research (2007)
PLEASE SEE: ...
AMERICAN VETERINARY SOCIETY OF ANIMAL BEHAVIOR POSITION STATEMENTS ON THE USE OF PUNISHMENT ... DOMINANCE and HOW TO CHOOSE A TRAINER CANINE BEHAVIOR MYTHS (see Myth #9 about prong collars in particular) http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/11_2/features/Canine-Behavior-Myths_16004-1.html EXCELLENT FREE ON-LINE TRAINING TIPS CAN BE FOUND AT http://www.halleballedog.com/positive-reinforcement-rules/ , and Diamonds in the Ruff http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/ (see Behavior FAQ's on the left of the home page) |
Therapy Dogs Today, Their Gifts, Our Obligation *** "Effective visiting process consists of handlers who appropriately present their dogs and dogs who appropriately receive the people being visited. Handlers must be familiar with ways to reward appropriate behaviors and redirect inappropriate behaviors of their dogs during visits without using noticeable techniques or corrections during visits. ... It is important to note that a dog’s perception can differ greatly from a human’s perception of the very same event. ... All the screening and training in the world will not prepare a dog for the challenges of intimacy and emotion encountered in visiting animal programs. ... Handler’s who protect their dogs from undo stress increase their dog’s confidence. Success breeds confidence and confidence encourages continued growth. A dog’s level of confidence in the handler is based both on their lifelong relationship and how the dog perceives the handler’s behavior in the moment." - Therapy Dogs Today, Their Gifts, Our Obligation
Links to more of our Dog
Training Web Pages
For more information about becoming an Angel Paws/Pet Partners® volunteer with your pet (any domestic pet!) or to volunteer without a pet, please be sure to CLICK HERE review our requirements page. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT FOR OUR EVALUATIONS, TRAININGS OR ORIENTATIONS TO BE SCHEDULED to contact us. Advance preparation is required and chances are you will not have ample time to prepare if you wait for evaluations or training classes to be announced. Meanwhile, more information can be found on the links below.
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For maximum benefits in the least amount of time toward the goal of achieving the type of working relationships necessary for therapy dogs we recommend clicker training - here's why ...
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What Is Clicker Training? By KPCT on 08/08/2006 Filed in - Fundamentals "Clicker training" is an animal training method based on behavioral psychology that relies on marking desirable behavior and rewarding it. Desirable behavior is usually marked by using a "clicker," a mechanical device that makes a short, distinct "click" sound which tells the animal exactly when they're doing the right thing. This clear form of communication, combined with positive reinforcement, is an effective, safe, and humane way to teach any animal any behavior that it is physically and mentally capable of doing. Start training today | Watch a video intro | Visit pages for dogs, cats or other animals |
DECONSTRUCTING THE CLICK
Terrific blog titled Deconstructing the Click by Linda Case ... "I am a clicker trainer. All of my own dogs are clicker trained and many of the classes that we teach at my training school, AutumnGold are “clicker-centric”. Clicker training is not only a scientifically sound approach to teaching dogs new things, but is also a kind, enjoyable, and bond-strengthening method of training – something that benefits both dogs and their people. For the uninitiated, clicker training is a relatively simple technique that involves pairing the click sound made by a small, handheld cricket with the delivery of a food treat. After several repetitions of this pairing (Click-Treat; hereafter CT), in which the click sound reliably predicts the treat, the sound comes to possess the same properties as the presentation of the treat itself - a pleasurable emotional response. Clicker training packs an enormously powerful positive punch for both the dog and the trainer because it allows the trainer to precisely target tiny bits of behavior at the exact moment they are occurring. The click sound becomes analogous to saying to your dog “That’s it!! That thing that you are doing right this instant is what will earn you the yummy treat that is coming shortly! You are SO very smart!”" ... Read More ... |
- Why is clicker training effective? When an animal intentionally performs a behavior in order to bring about a desired consequence, as clicker trained animals do, they are learning in a way that researchers call "operant conditioning."
Animals (and people) may also associate an action, event, place, person, or object with a consequence, whether pleasant or unpleasant. The more a certain event or environment is paired with a particular consequence, the stronger the association. This type of learning is called "classical conditioning" and represents reflexive or automatic behavior, rather than intentional behavior.
While clicker training initially employs classical conditioning, it quickly becomes operant conditioning as soon as the animal intentionally repeats an action in order to earn a reward. Training through operant conditioning results in purposeful behavior, while training through classical conditioning results in habitual behavior.
*** The difference between an animal that behaves with purpose, rather than by habit, is vast. Clicker trained or operantly conditioned animals try to learn new behaviors. They remember behaviors even years later because they were aware of them as they learned them, rather than acquiring them without awareness. They develop confidence because they have control over the consequences of their actions. They are enthusiastic because they expect those consequences to be pleasurable.
- 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. Or, the animal may associate the reward with another, unwanted action. With the click, a trainer can precisely "mark" behavior so that the animal knows exactly what it was doing. That's why clicker trainers call the click an "event marker." The click also bridges or connects the behavior and its reward, and so is also called a "bridging signal."
- Why use the click? Why not just a word? A click is more powerful for training than a spoken word because it is not a sound heard by the animal in other circumstances. It means one thing only: a reward is coming because of what you did when you heard the click. It can be produced instantly and at the exact moment a behavior occurs. Even a very quick and subtle behavior, the twitch of an ear for example, can be clicked.
Unlike our voices, which can say the same word in different ways, and so express different emotions or meanings each time, the click sounds the same every time it is heard; its meaning never varies. Humans are highly verbal creatures, but our pets are not. It can be difficult for them to pick out a single word from the stream of meaningless words they hear us speak every day. The click's meaning, however, is always clear. It is always directed at the animal, and it is always good news.
The clarity with which a click enables trainers to communicate with their animals has a profound effect on their relationships. Their level of interaction increases, and trainer and animal become more interesting and fun for each other.
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How does clicker training work? The trainer clicks at the moment the behavior occurs: the horse raises its hoof, the trainer clicks simultaneously. The dog sits, the trainer clicks. Clicking is like taking a picture of the behavior the trainer wishes to reinforce. After "taking the picture," the trainer gives the animal something it likes, usually a small piece of food but sometimes play, petting, or other rewards.
Very soon (sometimes within two or three clicks), an animal will associate the sound of the click with something it likes: the reward. Since it wishes to repeat that pleasurable experience, it will repeat the action it was doing when it heard the click.Any behavior can be trained with any animal following these three simple steps:
- Get the behavior.
- Mark the behavior.
- Reinforce the behavior.
- How do clicker trainers ask for behaviors? Clicker trainers differ from traditional trainers in that they wait until the behavior is well understood by the animal before using a command or "cue." A cue is the name of a behavior, such as "sit," or a hand movement or other clear signal. Until the animal knows what the behavior is, any name for it would be meaningless.
When the animal has been clicked several times for a behavior, and then confidently repeats the behavior, showing that it knows exactly what earns it a click and a reward, it is ready to learn the name of the behavior. Clicker trainers call this "introducing the cue."
To teach the animal the name of the behavior, or the cue, the trainer says or signals the cue before the animal repeats the behavior. After several repetitions, the trainer begins to click and reward when the animal does the behavior, but only after the cue is given. No click is given if the animal does the behavior without being given the cue first. The animal quickly learns to listen or watch for its cue, which tells it: If you do this behavior now, you will get a click and earn a reward.
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What if the animal does not obey the cue? Clicker trained animals want to perform behaviors for which they have been rewarded in the past. If they understand the meaning of the cue and desire the reward, they will perform the behavior.
If they do not perform the behavior, clicker trainers do not assume that the animal is "disobeying." Instead the trainer asks the following questions:
- Does the animal know the meaning of the cue?
- Does the animal know the meaning of the cue in the environment in which it was first taught, but not in the environment in which it was given?
- Is the reward for doing the behavior sufficiently desired by the animal?
- Why don't clicker trainers use punishments as well as rewards? A consequence of any behavior can be unpleasant as well as pleasant. So why shouldn't punishments follow unwanted behaviors, just as rewards follow wanted behaviors?
Research tells us that punishment may decrease the frequency of an unwanted behavior, but usually results in producing another unwanted behavior. The results of punishment as a training method are difficult to predict and to control.
In addition, punishment is not usually identified with an event marker. It almost always comes after the event and is rarely clearly connected with a specific behavior. In the animal's perception, punishment is a random, meaningless event. It is, therefore, less effective than the combined use of an event marker and positive reinforcement in changing behavior.
Clicker trainers also feel that their relationships with their animals are stronger and more rewarding when they focus on the positive rather than the negative. *** Like the difference between an animal behaving with intention rather than by habit, the difference in attitude and enthusiasm between an animal that works to earn rewards rather than to avoid punishment is vast.
- How can clicker training be used to get rid of behaviors? Clicker trainers allow unwanted behaviors to disappear through lack of reinforcement. If a behavior is not rewarding to the animal, eventually it will disappear. If an unwanted behavior persists, clicker trainers study the behavior to understand why it is reinforcing to the animal. Sometimes the behavior reinforces itself: a barking dog is less bored than a quiet dog. The barking is its own reward. The clicker trainer provides this dog with an alternate wanted behavior to replace the unwanted behavior. The bored dog may simply need more activity, or perhaps quiet resting for longer and longer periods can become a rewarded behavior. Then the clicker trainer would teach the dog a cue for "silence."
- Do clickers and treats need to be used for every behavior, forever? No. Once a behavior is learned and on cue, there's usually no need to click, as the animal understands the behavior. Clicker trainers can maintain the behavior by replacing specially good treats with occasional and less intensive rewards including a pat or praise. Learned cues and behaviors are also maintained by real-life rewards: for example sitting quietly at the door is rewarded by opening the door so that the dog can have a walk. Clicker trainers then save clicks and treats for the next new thing they want to train.
- Can clicker training be used with any animal? Yes. First widely used by dolphin trainers who needed a way to teach behavior without using physical force, operant conditioning (the scientific term for clicker training) can be and has been successfully employed with animals of all sizes and species, both domesticated and wild, young and old; all breeds of dogs and puppies, cats, birds, leopards, rats, rabbits, chinchillas, fish, and more.
Clicker trainers who learn the underlying principles have at their disposal a powerful set of tools that enable them to analyze behaviors, modify existing methods for individual animals, and create new methods where none previously existed. This flexibility allows the tools of clicker training to be re-invented in new forms that work in a range of situations, and for an infinite variety of animals.
The same principles have also been applied to training for athletes, dancers, skaters, and other people. Called "TAGteach," this form of training uses a click as a marker signal to teach precise physical motions quickly, accurately, and positively.
- Is clicker training a training method or a philosophy? Sometimes people are surprised by the enthusiasm and dedication clicker trainers have for their method. These trainers may have first started learning to click as a way of training their dog, but soon realized that the fundamental principles of clicker training could be applied to other areas of their lives. Changing one's focus from the negative to the positive can certainly be a life-changing event.
