Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Clicker Training
Clicker training is an extension of natural horsemanship. The process relies on natural instincts of horses in training them to learn targeted behavior. Clicker training can be traced to the research of Edward Thorndike (1874 - 1949) and B.F. Skinner (1904 – 1990). Both men were concerned with the relationship between stimuli, rewards and the consequences of behavior.
Thorndike’s theory, the Law of Effect, proposed that responses to stimuli which resulted in pleasure or satisfaction by the individual are more likely to be repeated again by the individual within the context of that situation. Conversely, responses to stimuli producing discomfort (or a negative experience) are less likely to be repeated. Skinner’s concept of Stimulus-Response (S-R) centers on the relationship between behavior and consequence. An assumption is made that reinforcement of behavior through rewards (positive reinforcement) will result in that behavior being repeated.
A clicker device is used to train a horse to associate sound made by the clicker to a reward given for performing targeted behavior. Target behavior is any action you want the horse to perform. It could be anything from allowing its hoof to be raised for grooming to approaching you on your command.
To start the process, click then give the horse a treat. You can give a carrot, apple, sugar cube or other food. Use your knowledge of the horse’s food preferences in selecting a treat. You want it to be something the horse enjoys. It will not take long for the horse to associate the sound of a click with a treat (the Stimulus-Response process).
The next step in the training process is introduction the clicker to the horse and encouraging him to touch it. Horses are naturally curious and you want the horse to begin to recognize both the actual clicker and the sound it makes. Prompt him to touch the clicker with his nose. Immediately click the clicker and give a treat. Consistency is important. The horse touches the clicker; you click then give him a treat. Begin to incorporate time delay in providing the treat. You may decide to give a treat after every three clicks. In this situation, you are building anticipation of a treat with in association with the sound of the clicker.
As training continues, begin to integrate verbal commands. Commands such as “come”, “back”, “walk”, “whoa” can be different aspects of the training process. Use only one command at a time so the horse does not get confused. Introduce a new command only after the previous command has been learned and demonstrated by the horse.
Keep training sessions short, averaging no more than 10 minutes at a time. This will prove to be an optimal time frame to keep your horse engaged without becoming bored with the process.
REFERENCES
Thorndike’s theory, the Law of Effect, proposed that responses to stimuli which resulted in pleasure or satisfaction by the individual are more likely to be repeated again by the individual within the context of that situation. Conversely, responses to stimuli producing discomfort (or a negative experience) are less likely to be repeated. Skinner’s concept of Stimulus-Response (S-R) centers on the relationship between behavior and consequence. An assumption is made that reinforcement of behavior through rewards (positive reinforcement) will result in that behavior being repeated.
A clicker device is used to train a horse to associate sound made by the clicker to a reward given for performing targeted behavior. Target behavior is any action you want the horse to perform. It could be anything from allowing its hoof to be raised for grooming to approaching you on your command.
To start the process, click then give the horse a treat. You can give a carrot, apple, sugar cube or other food. Use your knowledge of the horse’s food preferences in selecting a treat. You want it to be something the horse enjoys. It will not take long for the horse to associate the sound of a click with a treat (the Stimulus-Response process).
The next step in the training process is introduction the clicker to the horse and encouraging him to touch it. Horses are naturally curious and you want the horse to begin to recognize both the actual clicker and the sound it makes. Prompt him to touch the clicker with his nose. Immediately click the clicker and give a treat. Consistency is important. The horse touches the clicker; you click then give him a treat. Begin to incorporate time delay in providing the treat. You may decide to give a treat after every three clicks. In this situation, you are building anticipation of a treat with in association with the sound of the clicker.
As training continues, begin to integrate verbal commands. Commands such as “come”, “back”, “walk”, “whoa” can be different aspects of the training process. Use only one command at a time so the horse does not get confused. Introduce a new command only after the previous command has been learned and demonstrated by the horse.
Keep training sessions short, averaging no more than 10 minutes at a time. This will prove to be an optimal time frame to keep your horse engaged without becoming bored with the process.
REFERENCES
Labels: Training
¶ 1:33 PM
