Basic Skills
While many of our programs utilize specialized techniques; they all have a foundation in a handful of basic training skills. This page will introduce you to these skills.
We recommend that you become very familiar with the content found here.
Download and print our "Suggested Supplies Listed For Each Course"
Clicker Usage
Awakening the clicker
Until we associate the clicker with something good, your dog will see it as just another object among millions. Take the clicker in one hand and a handful of bite size treats in the other and go to your dog. “Click” and immediately give the dog a treat. Click again and treat. If your dog looks to the floor when you click that is ok, just drop the treat to the floor. The sound the clicker makes sounds similar to something being dropped on the floor, this might cause your dog to initially look down for whatever was dropped.
Remember- A treat will always follow the click. ONE click = ONE treat.
We are not training any behaviors with this exercise, only trying to associate the click with a reward. Be alert to the dog's actions when you click; you don’t want to be accidentally reinforcing a bad behavior.
Teaching a Sit with the help of the clicker
In traditional training we would ask the dog to sit and if they didn't, we would give a leash correction. With positive reinforcement clicker training we try to capture actions and make the dog want to perform them rather than being forced to. Sit is a great exercise to start with because dogs sit naturally all the time.
Spend some time with your dog and wait for him to Sit. The instant his butt hits the floor; click and treat. Now back up a few steps. Chances are your dog will follow you and then sit. Click!!! Before you know it your dog will be sitting all the time trying to be rewarded.
After it is obvious the your dog is sitting in association with being rewarded you will add the verbal “Sit” command. Speak the command as the dog is lowering himself into a Sit so that he associates the command with the action of sitting.
The remainder of this lesson is found in our FREE Clicker Skills class in our Virtual Online Classroom
Reinforcement Schedules
Training and behavior is very much influenced by various reinforcement schedules. There are two schedules we will focus on in our training programs:
Continuous (CR):
A continuous reinforcement schedule rewards the pet each and every time that it performs the desired behavior. This is extremely useful when introducing a new skill, but should be transitioned to a variable reinforcement schedule as soon as possible after the pet has acquired the new skill. Continuous reinforcement can be expressed as a 1:1 CR ratio.
Variable (VR):
A variable reinforcement schedule rewards the pet for performance of a desired behavior at variable times. For examples, you might reward every third Sit. In this example, you would be using a 3:1 VR. It is important when using VR to not space the reinforcement to thin.
CR is import when teaching a new behavior because it offers immediate reinforcement and identification of the action we desire, to the pet. Continually reinforcing the pet is important, as the potential frustration experienced while acquiring a new behavior can cause the pet to stop trying to learn. Continuous reinforcement gives the pet a "reason*" to continue past any frustration.
Once a behavior has been acquired, the animal can quickly become "bored"* and resultantly, perform the behavior less. We counter this and strengthen the behavior by adopting a variable reinforcement schedule. This schedule keeps the pet "hoping"* that the next execution of the skill will be the one rewarded. It is important not to space your reinforcement to thinly, as it can quickly become "not worth it"* to the pet to continue performing a skill without any reward. We recommend not using more than a 3:1 VR. In this, the pet would be rewarded once for every three correct performances of the desired skill.
Reinforcement schedules are a fascinating topic, but once more complex than we wish to cover here. Visit Wikipedia for a more detailed overview of Reinforcement Schedules.
*We have enclosed more common english example words in " " for clarity in the preceding paragraph. These should not be confused with a scientific definition or example.
Session Tips
Following these tips will help you to get the most out of your training with White Mountain College for Pets. We have split this section into traditional face-to-face class tips and Virtual Online Classroom tips
Traditional Face-to-Face Tips
- Have questions written down or emailed to your instructor before class
- Withhold food for three hours prior to a training session
- Set aside at least 15 minutes each day for training practice
- Read your training syllabus thoroughly
- Check the Class Status Blog before each class for cancellation, changes, etc
- Exercise your pet moderately prior to each training session
- Approach your your training with a loose goal. Your time should be enjoyable
- Don't hesitate to contact your instructor if you have ANY questions between classes
Virtual Online Classroom Tips
- Set aside 15 minutes each day for online study and practice
- Keep your web browser updated. We recommend Camino for Mac and Firefox for Windows
- A high-speed internet connection is needed to view videos. If connect through dial-up, please request our training videos on DVD. You can access other online content without any problem via dial-up
- Utilize all the resources available to you: live chat, webcam sessions and email
- Try to work in a quiet environment
Using Available Resources
There are number of resources available on this website and from various sources on the internet.
From White Mountain College for Pets:
Other Resources :
