Persatuan Agiliti Anjing Pulau Pinang Registration # 1023

Clicker FAQ

Volume 1, Issue 3                                                        8 May, 2007

By Sue Yeap

1. What method do PAAPP instructors use for dog training?

Answer- We use the positive reinforcement approach with the help of the clicker as the secondary reinforcer.

2. What is positive reinforcement?

Answer- Reinforcement is an event that occurs during or upon completion of a behaviour occurring in the future. Positive is something the learner (in this case the dog) might like and want more of it. The basic principle behind positive reinforcement is that the reinforcer has to occur in the very instant the behaviour is taking place.

3. What is a clicker?

Answer- The clicker is a SECONDARY reinforcer. It identifes to the dog exactly which behaviour is the correct behaviour desired. When this signal (click) is achieved, the dog knows that it has achieved the behaviour desired and will get his PRIMARY REINFORCER. The primary reinforcer is the food or toy that the dog wants. Example- Assume that you have a dog living with you for the past 3 months and every other day, you take your dog out for a walk. There will be a time that when you take out your dog’s leash, even quietly, he will get excited! The secondary reinforcer is the LEASH and the primary reinforcer is the WALK.

4. How does a clicker work?

Answer-The clicker a simple way of saying “Good Boy”. The advantage of using the clicker instead of using verbal praise is that the clicker is fast and can be used at the right time and at a distance. Example, if you want your dog to “roll over”, you simply show the Primary reinforcer (toy or food)  in your right hand to simulate the dog to roll-over. The instance the dog rolls over, you give the click and then give him the Primary Reinforcer ( which is the toy or food).You don’t have to give the ROLL command yet. After about 10 successful attempts it signifies the dog has learnt it, then you start giving the ROLL command. Slowly you can remove the clicker when the dog has learnt to obey the ROLL command. You have actually replaced the clicker with the command at this instance, followed by praise for the dog. When the dog has great bonding with you, your praises can replace the Secondary Reinforcer ( toy or food).

5. How to start using the clicker?

Answer- First, you have to POWER-UP the clicker. This means that your dog must understand that the click signifies the end of the correct behaviour and he will be rewarded by his primary reinforcer ( toy, food, or human praise).

This is how to power-up the clicker-

A) If your dog has already learn the SIT command-Say "Sit"      Doggie  sits.

Click and treat. (The sequence of "click then Treat" is important. Treat can be food or toy.)

B)     if your dog has NO basic obedience-Lift your food or toy

Doggie still stands. Be patient, no command yet.Lift food higher and doggie will attempt to sit.Immediately he sits, you click and reward.Do this 10-20 times, your dog will learn that click means reward will follow.

After the POWER-UP session is completed, we begin to shape the first behaviour.

6. What are the common mistakes made while using the clicker?

Answer-

• Lack of planning by the trainer- You start with an ‘end-in-mind’ and break the sequences into smaller bits and train each bit. Then piece them all together. You cannot expect the dog to understand what you want immediately, he has to learn it.
• Losing patience, getting angry and giving up- You have to be patient and follow the basic principles. If the dog does not respond, find out why? Have you identified the primary reinforcer for the dog? Is he unwell?
• Trainers remove the use of the clicker too soon- before the dog has learnt it. You remove the clicker only when your dog shows that he has learnt it before you put in the command.
• Trainers repeat the commands many times. Saying SITSITSIT will eventually necessitate always repeating yourself. Use command ONE Time only.
• Trainers uses different commands for a single behaviour. Example avoid using sit down when you mean “down”.  

7. Can I use the hand signal together with the clicker?

Answer- Yes you can. After the dog has learnt to perform the desired behaviour, you can add in the command + the hand signals at the same time. A dog can perceive a spoken command or hand signal with equal ease. Hand signals are best given so that  the movement of your hand or arm is easily seen by the dog- so teach your dog the hand signals in bright light and try to wear shirts of stronger/different color than your skin color.

8. How to train my dog the weaving poles using the clicker?

Answer- First you need to have patience. You start by using 3 poles, then 5 poles, then 7, then move to 10 and 12 poles. Until you dog can do 3 poles off-leash and willingly, DO NOT move on to the 5 poles. Many people get impatient and then the dog do not do it well later on. Below is an article by Cathy Slot on how to use the clicker to train weaving poles. It works as I tried it on my own dog, Kofi. It took him 4 weeks to do the solid 3 poles, then another 3 weeks for the 4 poles before I moved him to 7 poles. Here is a video on him doing 12 poles after almost 6 months of daily training 10 minutes each day.

kofiweave1mayv This is video showing Kofi doing the weaving poles.

Cathy Slot's article page 1 article page 2

PAST NEWSLETTER CLICK HERE