Clicker training

Dispelling some myths and explaining the basics

The clicker is an example of a marker or bridge.  It is used to 'bridge' the time between the exact desired behaviour of the animal, and the delivery of the reinforcer (which might be food, scratches etc).  This method works on the same principles that every trainer in the world uses - from natural horsemanship and traditional horse trainers, to dog obedience, zoo keepers and school teachers - that is, changing the behaviour by manipulating the consequences after that behaviour.

If you have ever taught a dog to sit by saying "good boy" (the bridge) when he sits and then patting him afterwards (the reinforcer), then you've used this method, more or less.  The clicker gets better, faster results than the "good boy" example simply because it is so much more precise and consistent.

The primary difference between the philosophy of most clicker trainers and that of more 'traditional' trainers, is that clicker trainers get the animal to perform the behaviour they want by telling them "yes" rather than "no".  A traditional dog trainer might teach a dog to heel by jerking its collar each time it is too far away; a clicker trainer will teach that dog by rewarding it each time it is close.  Same principle, but very big difference in the way the dog will feel about learning.

•  Clicker training does not have to equal food training. The reinforcer is anything the animal wants, whether that is affection, praise, scratches, or any number of other things.  Food is convenient and gives good results, but it is not a necessary element to clicker training.

•  Clicker training with food does not cause 'mouthy' horses.  This is because the first lesson all food-trained clicker horses learn is that the only way they will ever be given the food is if they are polite and not mouthy or pushy.

•  The clicker is for teaching new behaviours, it is not something which is used forever.  Therefore, there is no concerns about what happens once you are in competition, and you don't have to carry a clicker around every day for the rest of your life.  Just as children no longer need a sippy cup once they learn to drink out of a glass, so clicker-trained horses do not need a clicker once they understand how to give the desired behaviour.

• Clicker training is not only for tricks or ground manners.  There are many, many people using clicker training to obtain results in the competition ring, from grand prix show jumpers to high level dressage, including a number of Olympic level riders (Steffen Peters and Georgia Bruce are just two examples of many).  

I choose to use the clicker with my horses because they love it and because it gets results fast.  They are totally engaged in their own learning, and they enjoy figuring out problems for themselves rather than being 'told' how to do things.  They are more closely bonded to me because I never cause them fear or discomfort when training.  As a result of clicker training they feel more confident and able to cope with scary situations.

Here are some more links for those interested in learning more:

• Clicker training horses: can it be done? by Dr Sophia Yin
• Clicker training for horses: FAQs by Georgia Bruce
• Step by step training guide by Alexandra Kurland
• Clicker training library by Karen Pryor