This is the FAQ or Frequently Asked Questions list for ClickTrain. It is written by Stacy Braslau-Schneck, not the list owners, but I have their blessing to post it there monthly. All errors are mine, all comments and suggestions are welcome.
ClickTrain is an e-mail discussion list which discusses the applications of clicker training. To subscribe to ClickTrain, send a message to majordomo@tardigrade.net which says "subscribe clicktrain" or "subscribe clicktrain-digest". The digest version will group a series of posts together and deliver the group at once. The individual post version will send you each post individually. This is a high-traffic list; subscribing to the digest form is recommended!
There is no cost for subscribing to the list, but the list does have costs. If you would like to help the list owners offset their expenses, or reward them for a job well done, send whatever donation you feel is appropriate to: M. Shirley Chong, 708 Maple Street, Grinell, IA 50112, USA
What is "Clicker Training"?
Clicker Training, also called "Click & Treat" (TM;) Training, is a term to describe a type of training that uses a conditioned reinforcer, usually a cricket-like clicker, to mark a behavior that will be rewarded. Clicker Training uses the science of Operant Conditioning (OC), which notes that behaviors that are rewarded are made stronger and will occur more frequently.
Where can I learn more?/What books, videos, and web pages do you recommend?
There are a lot of resources for learning about dogs, training, and clicker training, too many to list here. The four books that are constantly mentioned on ClickTrain are The Culture Clash (often referred to as "TCC"), by Jean Donaldson, Don't Shoot The Dog (DSTD) and A Dog and a Dolphin, by Karen Pryor and Clicker Training For Obedience by Morgan Spector. You can also order Shirley Chong's clicker training booklet through www.shirleychong.com/booklet.html
The videos most often mentioned are Gary Wilkes', in particular, "The Click and Treat Start Up Kit" and "The Doggie Repair Kit", and Karen Pryor's "Clicker Magic".
A short list of web pages:
Karen Pryor's home page: http://www.dontshootthedog.com
Gary Wilkes' home page: http://www.clickandtreat.com/
The Baileys' home page: www.behavior1.com/
The Keeper Page: http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/index.html
Jean Donaldson's Dogs Behaving Badly page.
Marge's geographical listing of clicker trainers: www.travelvan.net/cgi-bin/marge/mainpage.pl
Dog Owner's Guide; a review of Gary Wilkes' videos and an introduction to Clicker Training: http://www.canismajor.com/dog/clktrt.html
The Clicker Journal, an excellent source of clicker information and stories. Order it at https://secure.dv1.net/clicker/
Elizabeth TeSelle's articles on Clicker Training: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/4159/pawsplus.html
Dogwise books and videso, where you can get all the recommended books and videos: ">http://www.dogwise.com
There other e-mail discussion lists on clicker training. ClickerSolutions is at www.clickersolutions.com. Click-L information is at http://www.click-l.com/ .
What is the "Keeper Page"?
One of the list members, Helix Fairweather, generously started a web page where she stored particularly informative (or amusing) posts to the list. It's now on Shirley's page. It is full of great information, and often list members (and this FAQ!) will refer questions to The Keeper Page since the answers are often there! It's now found at: www.shirleychong.com/keepers/
My dog is afraid of the clicker! What do I do?
Muffle the sound and click nonchalantly before Very Good Things like dinner and kongs. Your dog will get over the fear and you'll gain a very valuable tool. See the Keeper Page (under "Getting Started") for more information.
My dog isn't that interested in food treats. What do I do?
You have several options. Use better treats. Reduce the amount you feed. Use a non-food reinforcer. "Rev-up" the value of treats by getting excited over them. See the
Will I have to carry a clicker around with me all the time, forever, always doling out treats?
No. Basically, the clicker is used for teaching a behavior, not for maintaining a behavior that's already established. The clicker is incredibly useful for catching your dog doing things you like, and you may find it helpful to have one nearby (you can buy them in bulk to have them in numerous places, buy them with loops attached, or drill or melt holes to attach loops yourself). But you can use a second conditioned reinforcer, such as "Yes!", that you are more likely to have with you. You can also deliver real-life treats (like opening the door when the dog sits, throwing the ball when the dog drops it, etc.) to reward them without the clicker. And after the dog has figured out precisely what action is the one being rewarded, you don't need to use the precision of the clicker to keep informing them. As for treats, you should always reward behaviors you like, but it doesn't have to be with food - praise, petting, and anything else your dog likes should do. But high value treats like food are excellent motivators for getting the dog to learn the behavior in the first place!
Where can I find a clicker trainer instructor near me?
See Marge's helpful list at http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/start.html
If you don't find anyone near you, just ask the list. Not all clicker instructors have "registered" with Marge! NOTE: If you are an instructor, do all your future clients (and their dogs) a favor and tell Marge your contact information!
It will also help if you let everyone know where you are. Putting your geographical location along with your name in your signature will often prompt people to either suggest local trainers or contact you themselves.
Won't my dog get confused in a class with lots of other clickers?
Dogs seem to figure it out pretty quickly. It may be that the clickers sound different to them so they can tell which one is "theirs", or maybe they just focus on where the sound is coming from.
That's a lot of Web pages. What if I don't have access to the World Wide Web? (Think this is a silly question to include on the web page version of this FAQ? Print out it out and give it to a webless friend! That's why I left the web addresses written out instead of just embedding them, by the way.)
I don't want an instructor, but I'd like to meet other clicker trainers near me. How can I do that?
There are a few informal regional groups that meet regularly. If there's not one in your area, you can form one! Send a message to the list asking if others near you are interested.
It will also help if you let everyone know where you are. Putting your geographical location along with your name in your signature will often prompt people to either suggest local trainers or contact you themselves.
Should I introduce myself to the ClickTrain list?
By all means. We’re a friendly group! We love to hear about your pets, your family, and how you heard (or what you’ve heard) about clicker training. Really! If you have any questions (that aren’t answered by this FAQ) go ahead and ask them. Even if you don’t have any questions, go ahead and introduce yourself. Be sure to tell us where you are located, so that your clicking neighbors can get in touch with you!
Why did everyone mis-understand what I said?
Because Clicker Training is based on Operant Conditioning (OC) theory, we try to use terminology very precisely. Unfortunately, some OC terms have rather different meanings in the theory than they use in ordinary life. For example, "positive" in OC means "added or given", while in common terms it means "something good". "Punishment" in OC means "something that makes a behavior decrease" while in common terms it means "something painful or uncomfortable". So, if glaring at a sensitive dog makes that dog stop some behavior, we'd call the glare a "positive punishment" even though in normal terms it's not positive and it's not much of a "punishment".
Also keep in mind that over e-mail, no one can read your facial expressions, body language, or tone of voice, so it's hard to tell when a writer is joking, serious, curious, angry, etc. Also, not everyone on the list is a native English speaker, and not all of us speak the same English!
What are all those abbreviations?
Some are abbreviations for Operant Conditioning terms; others for dog breeds, dog training and competitions; and some are Internet abbreviations. Donna Hrynkiw has been good enough to compile most of them in a file found at: http://www.kwantlen.bc.ca/~donna/clickabb.htm (For even further explanations of R+, R-, P+ and P-, see the Keeper Page or http://www.wagntrain.com/OC/)
What kind of breed is that?
If you don't know what kind of breed someone is talking about, ask them. But you might want to ask them privately - in other words, get their e-mail address from the header in their message and send a note to that address, rather than the list. This just saves everyone else from having to read your question and the answers.
Can I mix Clicker Training with traditional training?
Many listmembers would say you should not mix methods. As Gary Wilkes says, "Trust the Force!", meaning, trust that clicker training will work. However, some people do find that a combination of clicker training and corrections work for them and their dogs. Ask your dog - in other words, see how your dog reacts to the use of "corrections" or punishers.
Can I do Clicker Training in a non-clicker class?
Ask the instructor of the class if the clicker and you doing things your way will disturb the class. If the class does not use positive reinforcement methods, you might expect the instructor to ask you to do something that might feel contrary to what you want to do. Otherwise, it shouldn't be a problem for you.
Are there any successful obedience competitors using Clicker Training?
Yes. See Karen Pryor's Clicker-Trained Honor Role and Acheivement List (or "brag pages") at: http://www.clickertraining.com/community/honor_roll/index.htm
Don't forget to add your brag to this list when you achieve it!
Does anyone use Clicker Training for conformation, agility, freestyle, flyball, tracking, Schutzhund, search-and-rescue, guide dogs, other service dogs, deaf dogs, etc.?
Yes. Go ahead and ask for names and/or any specific questions you have.
Can Clicker Training be used to deal with aggression, fear, or other behavior problems?
Yes. But remember that listmembers can not actually see you or your animal, and may not be experts in that problem. In other words, they're giving advice based on limited understanding. Consider their answers and make decisions based on your own understanding of the problem, and don't be afraid to consult with a local behaviorist.
Can you use Clicker Training with other animals?
Yes. As Jean Donaldson says, "To condition an animal, all you need is a spinal cord and brain stem." (She adds that "most dogs qualify"!). This type of training is used extensively with marine mammals and other "exotics". See Alexandra Kurland's page at http://www.crisny.org/users/kurlanda/index.html for horse training information, Sea World's marine mammal training page at http://www.seaworld.org/animal_training/mmtrain.html, and http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/9154/ for bird training information.
What about training people?
Yes. As Jean Donaldson says, "To condition an animal, all you need is a spinal cord and brain stem." Most people qualify. On ClickTrain, we've discussed using Operant Conditioning techniques in classrooms, at the work place, with children, with the mentally disabled, with spouses and other significants, and with bus drivers. See the Keeper Page.
Why are people on this list talking about Punishment?
Many traditional forms of dog training have involved punishment, and have been successful. Many people who use clicker training (which uses positive reinforcement) see that as one of the four Operant Conditioning tools, and make judicious use of the other tools (negative reinforcement, negative punishment, and positive punishment). Also, some listmembers work with people who would be willing to get rid of their dogs if certain behaviors are not stopped.
Most listmembers agree that a groundwork of positive reinforcement for the "correct" behavior should be laid before applying punishment for the "incorrect" behavior.
What is a "Bonker"?
This is the term Gary Wilkes uses for a rolled-up towel that can be tossed at a dog following a conditioned punisher (marker). It's not what you Australians may think!
How do you ClickTrain members feel about choke collars/pinch collars/martingales/head halters?
Strongly. Each of these items are found useful by some people, unnecessary or even cruel by others. The big take-home lesson: Listen carefully to what is gained or lost from using each tool, and don't make assumptions about the people who use them.
What are these "Lessons" people keep talking about? "Lesson 1", Lesson 2", etc.?
These are some lessons in clicker training posted by our List Goddess, Shirley Chong. They can be found collected at http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/lessons.html
I'm going away for an extended period. Do I need to unsubscribe?
If your mailbox fills up, messages from the list will bounce back, causing unnecessary trouble for the listowners. They might have to take the time to unsubscribe you. It would be polite to unsubscribe yourself if you think this will happen.
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