This message is from: GAIL RUSSELL <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Clicker training involves a (1) bridge signal, followed by 2) positive reinforcement. Clicker training really is not the proper word to describe the concept that people are really trying to get across when they speak about clicker training. However, it does make a useful shorthand, for the proper "scientific, behavioral" descriptives...that are not coming to me now.
The clicker is just one of the details of clicker training. You can use "good boy" as a bridge symbol, though there are a few caveats to consider. (1) The bridge signal should be something distinctive, and something that is ONLY used as a bridge signal. If you (or anyone else) are using "good boy" in another context, you are weakening the power of your signal, and confusing the horse in the process. I use a tongue click, but I have to admit that a real "clicker" does work better...because it is such a distinctive sound that the horses take real note of it. Another one of the "details" of clicker training is the fact that the feedback from horse to horsetrainer is more noticeable...and people often realize that they need to break down their training into smaller and smaller steps...each one reinforced for a while, and then added to other steps to complete the behavior. Another "detail" of clicker training is the use of treats as the positive reinforcer. Not absolutely necessary, but, when you break things down into small steps and provide a distinctive bridge signal the horses, by their increased responsiveness, start telling the horsetrainers that they are more highly motivated by treats than by pats or praise. Hope that helps. Gail Russell Forestville CA
