This is a hands on class for learning the basics of training with a clicker.  Each student will be paired with another student to coach while they learn how to properly use a clicker and vise versa.  You will learn how to choose the right treat, priming the clicker, improving your timing, setting acheivable criteria and presenting the reinforcer.  Before concluing the class we will talk about what to train and when.  The emphasis of this class is on practice and developing important mechanical skills using a clicker - Timing, Criteria and Rate.  According to the great iconic Bob Bailey, these three areas can represent 80% of the problem in training.

Timing - how well one pinpoints the exact behaviour they want. When done well it is a clear form of communication with the animal. If timing is imprecise, the behaviour that the animal will offer will also be imprecise.

Criteria - the specific behaviour that is reinforced.  When criteria are unclear to the animal, training falls apart - so it is important to start with small steps increasing the criteris as the animal begins to understand what is being asked of them.  Eash criterion or stage of criterion needs to always be within reach - something the animal is likely to offer within a short time interval.

Rate of reinforcement - how frequently reinforcement occur to the animal.  A common problem is that people do not reinforce often enough early on in training. How many reinforcers per minute is the animal getting?