Clicker training is a popular method used to teach animals new behaviors by using a distinct sound, often produced by a small handheld device, followed by a reward.  The click serves as a positive reinforcement signal, marking the exact moment the animal performs the desired action, which helps them make a clear connection between the behavior and the reward. This technique is rooted in principles of operant conditioning, a form of learning where behaviors are modified by consequences. For animals, this method taps into the natural process of reinforcement learning, encouraging repetition of desired actions. Similarly, human psychology shares this principle through reinforcement theory, where behaviors are shaped by rewards or punishments.  

  1. Understand the Basics of Clicker Training

Before you begin, it's important to understand how clicker training works. First, a sound made by the clicker is used to mark the exact moment an animal performs a desired behavior. After the click, a treat or reward is immediately offered. This strengthens the association between the behavior and the reward. Eventually, the animal will associate the sound with being rewarded or doing a good job. This prevents the need to interrupt training sessions to receive a treat every time an action is performed, and also helps animals grasp new behaviors faster as they are given a clear and concise signal when they perform an action correctly.

Think of this similarly to playing the "Hot and Cold" Game with a child. It would become confusing and frustrating for them if you only ever told them when they were "Getting Colder", and they may never solve the puzzle. But by being able to convey both "Hot" and "Cold" emotions, the child is able to locate the target much faster, and the learning process stays fun and lighthearted.  By adding the clicker to a training session, you are adding the "Hot" or "Yes" signal and making things easier for your animal to understand. 

2. Introduce the Clicker to Your Animal

The first step is to familiarize your animal with the clicker sound. The goal is for the animal to associate the click sound with something positive.

Take a treat in one hand, and the Clicker in the other. Allow the animal to investigate the treat, but not interact with it. As soon as you open your hand, click and immediately offer a treat to your animal. Repeat this several times (about 10-15 clicks in a row), ensuring that the animal understands that the sound is linked to receiving a reward. 

Your animal should start to recognize the click as a signal for something good. Once they are comfortable with the sound, you're ready to start shaping behaviors. 

3. Define the Desired Behavior

Before using the clicker, think about what specific behavior you want to shape. 

Break down the behavior into small steps (also known as successive approximations). This will make it easier for the animal to learn gradually.

For example, if you're teaching a dog to sit, the final behavior is the dog sitting down, but you may first reward the dog for lowering its bottom toward the ground, then for staying there longer, and finally for sitting all the way down.

4. Start with Luring or Capturing the Behavior

There are two main techniques to shape a behavior using clicker training:

Luring: Use a treat to guide your animal into the position or action you want. For example, holding a treat above your dog's nose and move it backward, encouraging them to sit.
Capturing: Wait for the animal to naturally perform the desired behavior and click when it happens. For instance, if you're teaching a cat to lie down, you might wait until they naturally lie down and click at that moment.

5. Use the Clicker to Mark the Behavior

As soon as the animal performs the desired action (even a small part of it), click and immediately follow up with a reward. Timing is crucial—make sure the click happens at the exact moment the animal performs the action to make the connection clear. If you feel as though you may have missed the timing or the animal has already clearly moved on to a new behavior before you were able to click, move on without clicking and wait for the next opportunity to mark the behavior. It is best to miss a single mark than to possibly create confusion for the animal or unintentionally capture the wrong behavior. 

6. Shaping Through Successive Approximations

As the animal starts understanding the behavior, you can begin to shape it further by rewarding smaller steps leading toward the full behavior.

Gradually increase the criteria for the behavior. For example, when teaching a dog to fetch, you might first click when the dog picks up the ball, then for bringing it closer to you, and finally for handing it over completely.

By reinforcing each successive step, you build up to the final behavior.

7. Generalizing the Behavior

Once the animal reliably performs the behavior in one context (e.g., sitting when asked at home), it’s time to start generalizing. This means teaching the animal to perform the same behavior in different locations, under different conditions, and with varying distractions.

Practice in different rooms, outdoors, with other people around, or try varying the distance between you and the animal, or practicing in new environments like pet friendly stores. Training in as many situations as possible will help strengthen the reliability of the command as well as providing much needed mental stimulation for the animal. 

8. Introduce Verbal Cues or Signals

Once your animal is consistently performing the behavior with the clicker, you can introduce a verbal cue or hand signal to associate with the behavior.

Say the word or gesture just before you expect the behavior. Reward the animal when it responds correctly. Over time, the animal will learn to associate the verbal cue or signal with the behavior and respond without needing the clicker. 

Some animals may seem too small or "not intelligent enough" to learn vocal cues or hand signals, but they may surprise you! Animals as small as rats and mice have been known to learn hand signals and verbal commands for different behaviors! 

9. Fade Out the Clicker and Treats Gradually

As your animal masters the behavior, you can begin to reduce the frequency of the clicks and treats. This is known as fading:

Start by giving the treat intermittently (not every time). Gradually, you can phase out the clicker as well, using only verbal praise or a reward once in a while.

This makes the behavior more reliable and helps the animal learn that the behavior is expected even without constant reinforcement.

10. Be Patient and Consistent

Clicker training requires patience, repetition, and consistency. Animals learn at different paces, so be prepared to work at their speed. Short, frequent sessions are often more effective than long, sporadic ones. Try to end each session on a positive note to keep your animal motivated and engaged.

Extra Tips for Success:

Be clear and consistent: Use the same clicker sound and rewards to ensure your animal understands.

Keep sessions short: Aim for 5-10 minute sessions to keep your animal’s attention high and avoid frustration.

Stay positive: Always use positive reinforcement. Avoid punishment or negative methods, as these can make training less effective.

Have fun: Clicker training should be an enjoyable experience for both you and your animal.

With practice, you’ll find that clicker training can be a highly effective way to build a strong bond with your animal while teaching them a wide range of behaviors! Still have questions about training, or want some help getting started? Feel free to contact us below! 

  There is a significant correlation between the health of exotic pets and their behavior. Physical discomfort or illness often manifest as behavioral issues. Exotic pets, like reptiles, birds, and small mammals, are particularly sensitive to changes in their environment, diet, or health, and these stressors can lead to problematic behaviors such as aggression, lethargy, or anxiety. For instance, pain or illness can cause an animal to become more defensive or territorial, and physical ailments like malnutrition or improper lighting can lead to lethargy, fear, or irritability. Similarly, when an exotic pet is unwell, its stress levels increase, which can negatively affect its social interactions, making the animal seem less "nice" or approachable.

On the other hand, proper care—such as a balanced diet, suitable habitat, and regular veterinary check-ups—can lead to healthier, more content animals that display calmer, more predictable behavior. The physical well-being of an exotic pet directly influences its temperament, highlighting the importance of meeting its health needs to maintain both physical and behavioral harmony.  Too many exotic pets are written off as mean or cantankerous and subsequently neglected, when in reality they may be asking their human caretakers for help in the only way they know how.

When experiencing negative or sudden behavior changes in exotic pets, the first order of business should be to get the animal in to see a qualified veterinarian. Please refer to our "Exotic Animal Info Pages" to help find a qualified vet. Average vets are usually not qualified to see exotics; vets become certified by specific organizations in order to show their commitment and knowledge of exotic species.