What’s the best way to train an animal? What about the best way to teach a human to train an animal? How can we use the science of behavior and learning to develop better training practices? In this section you’ll find lots of articles and information about the science of animal training, research that has been done on animal learning and behavior, and information about teaching people.
I often make my ratties “work” for their dinner. I’ll take their dinner, divide it into several portions and then make it into some sort of puzzle. For example, I often hide their rat blocks and dry food in boxes, toilet tissue rolls, or egg cartons. Then, they have to chew through the paper and […]
This is part five of my notes from ORCA’s 2013 Art and Science of Animal Training Conference. For more notes, visit the Conference and Clinic Notes section of my site. Ken Ramirez gave a very interesting lecture at this year’s Art and Science of Animal Training Conference. His presentation, “Training when you’re not training,” discussed […]
The video below is a great example of how a person can use clicker training and positive reinforcement training techniques to deal with annoying, dangerous, or otherwise unwanted behavior. In this case, the dog had a habit of jumping up into the owner’s face when she would bend over. The owner does a great job […]
Good clicker trainers understand and use the principle of shaping. Shaping means teaching a behavior in small approximations or steps. Good shaping can greatly speed up learning and reduce confusion and frustration by helping the animal be successful every step of the way. (To see shaping in action, check out this video of Georgie learning […]
I’ve recently started reading Susan Scheider’s fascinating new book, The Science of Consequences. Susan Schneider is a biopsychologist who has spent years studying learning and behavior in both people and animals. (You can read more about her background on her bio on her website.) The Science of Consequences is a fascinating journey through the science […]
Many horse clicker trainers advise using protected contact when teaching a new horse about clicker training or in situations that could be unsafe for the trainer. I’ve also met some horse clicker trainers who never use protected contact. They feel that they know their horses and they know how to keep themselves safe. However, I […]
