Do You Have a Clue about Cues?

How do we teach behaviors when training animals and how do we associate cues with these behaviors?

How does a dog or horse (or cat, goldfish, parrot, roommate, child, employee, etc.) learn a cue for a behavior? What’s the best way to create a solid association between a behavior and a cue, even when distractions might be present? What are the effects of using negative reinforcement to teach cues?

I’ll be exploring some of these topics with several posts during the rest of this month, starting with a post today on what a cue is and what sorts of environmental signals can be used for cues. Check back throughout May to see what’s new. Any specific thoughts or questions about cues? Leave them in the comments, and I’ll see if I can address them in a post.

Posts about cues:

What is a cue and what kinds of things can be used as cues?

What is stimulus control?

Which comes first, the behavior or the cue?

Check your verbal cues

Overcoming fear and the power of cues

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One Response to Do You Have a Clue about Cues?

  1. Ark Lady May 12, 2009 at 9:35 pm #

    I may cover this topic myself but inadvertent clues is a hot topic for novice trainers or animal people.

    Many zookeepers are not aware of the clues they give their animals and pet owners who grab their keys or go through patterns of behavior that clue the animal to the next event (such as departure or a car ride or leash walk) is something people often dismiss or overlook.

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