Category: Getting Started ¤ Author: Stacy Braslau-Schneck ¤ Title: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ¤ Shirley has given her blessing to this FAQ, though I suspect she didn't read it over too carefully! If you find any errors, please let me know. Any errors, bad judgement calls, or blatant opinions are my own, and do not necessarily reflect the actual knowledge or opinions of the list owner! I will try to post this at the beginning of each month. ClickTrain Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 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 three books that are constantly mentioned on ClickTrain are _The Culture Clash_ (often referred to as "TCC"), by Jean Donaldson and _Don't Shoot The Dog_ (DSTD) and _A Dog and a Dolphin_, by Karen Pryor. You can also order Shirley Chong's clicker training booklet (Just Plain Clicker Sense) from her website. Just go to http://www.shirleychong.com/jpcs.html The videos most often mentioned are Gary Wilkes', in particluar, "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: http://www.hsnp.com/home/behavior/index.html Helix's Clicker Page, with links to many other pages: http://www.phys.unm.edu/~helix/clicker.html Kathleen Weaver's clicker articles: http://www.metronet.com/~kathleen/clicker.html Rosettes and Ribbons, an on-line magazine of competition training: http://www.rosettes.w1.com Marge's geographical listing of clicker trainers: http://www.wazoo.com/~marge/Clicker_Trainers/Clicker_Trainers.html Dog Owner's Guide; a review of Gary Wilkes' videos and an introduction to Clicker Training: http://www.canismajor.com/dog/clktrt.html Elizabeth TeSelle's articles on Clicker Training: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/4159/pawsplus.html Dog and Cat Book Catalog from Direct Book Service, where you can get all the recommended books and videos: http://www2.dogandcatbooks.com/directbook/ What is the "Keeper Page"? One of the list members, Helix Fairweather, has generously created a web page where she stores particularly informative (or amusing) posts to the list. 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! The Keeper page can now be found on Shirley's website. It's found at: http://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 Keeper Page for more information. Where can I find a clicker trainer instructor near me? See Marge's helpful list at http://www.wazoo.com/~marge/Clicker_Trainers/Clicker_Trainers.html If you don't find anyone near you, just ask the list. Not all clicker instructors have "registered" with Marge! That's a lot of Web pages. What if I don't have access to the World Wide Web? If someone directs you to a web page for information, let them know you don't have web access. If you ask nicely, they might download some of the information from the web site and send it to you. Also, many public libraries (in the U.S., at least) have computers with web access. 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 for others near you (be sure to let us know *where* in the world you are!) 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 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.karenpryor.com/faq.html 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 ask 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, 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 believe 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. 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 unsubscribe you. It would be polite to unsubscribe yourself if you think this will happen. How do I unsubscribe? Send a message to majordomo@tardigrade.net (*not* to the list!) that says UNSUBSCRIBE CLICKTRAIN (your e-mail address here) or UNSUBSCRIBE CLICKTRAIN-DIGEST (your e-mail address here) How do I subscribe to the digest form? Send a message to majordomo@tardigrade.net (*not* to the list!) that says UNSUBSCRIBE CLICKTRAIN (your e-mail address here) SUBSCRIBE CLICKTRAIN-DIGEST (your e-mail address here) Who is William Stockhausen? :) No one knows, but he impersonates Victoria Farrington charmingly! In service, Stacy Stacy Braslau-Schneck San Francisco, CA