Operant conditioning is a scientific term that describes the way animals learn from the consequences of certain behaviors. Positive reinforcement is a type of operant conditioning often used in dog training.
Clicker training, a common form of positive reinforcement, is a simple and effective training method. The clicker is a metal strip inside a small plastic box that makes a distinct clicking sound when pressed. The click is much faster and clearer than saying “good dog” or handing out treats. Once the dog learns the positive effects of the clicking sound, the clicker itself acts as a conditioned reinforcer. This eliminates the need for numerous rewards such as food and praise when training a dog.
Here’s how to you can easily train your dog to respond to the clicker before moving on to basic and advanced training. The following steps are often referred to as “loading” the clicker.
• Begin with your dog in a quiet area.
• Have a handful of your dog’s favorite treats ready. Ideally, this should be done when your dog is hungry.
• Press the clicker and immediately give your dog a treat. Repeat 5-10 times.
• You can test your success by clicking when your dog is not paying attention to you. If your dog responds to the click by suddenly looking at you, then looking for a treat, you are ready to move on.
• Next, teach your dog basic commands. Instead of rewarding with treats or praise, click immediately after your dog performs the desired action.
