Click & Treat: When to eliminate them

The Clicker

Once the behavior is on cue and can be reinforced intermittently, you can eliminate the clicker as part of the reinforcement sequence. The clicker is useful when a puppy is first learning a behavior because it precisely marks the behavior that the treat reinforces.

You no longer need that precision when the behavior has been learned. Use "Good" or any other word that your pup considers to be praise to reinforce his behavior. Occasionally also use a treat or a game of fetch to let your pup know how pleased you are with his behavior.

The Treat

The treat should never be completely eliminated, rather it should become intermittent. Also the "treat" can be food, a belly rub or a game of fetch. Varying the reinforcement (treat) keeps your pup guessing. Sometimes nothing follows the correct behavior, sometimes she gets something absolutely fabulous, and most times she hears the words "good girl." Your pup will work harder for the opportunity to win a jackpot than for a reliably offered treat.

Remember too that your pup defines the quality of the reinforcer. You may think that the piece of meat you are giving him should constitute a jackpot, but she won¹t think so if what she really wants is to play a game of fetch.

Summary

Use the clicker with treats to initially shape a behavior and put it on cue. Once the behavior is integrated into the pup¹s daily activities the clicker can be eliminated.

If a behavior deteriorates or you would like to improve it more, bring out the clicker again. The clicker will help you mark the variations of the behavior that more closely meet your standards.

Be sure to look for a possible cause when a behavior deteriorates. Perhaps you have not reinforced it often enough in the puppy¹s mind. For example, your pup was coming when called every time several weeks ago, even under distracting circumstances. But now he is ignoring you 10% of the time.

Have you only been calling him when you needed to end an activity he enjoys? Praise and a treat may not provide sufficient reinforcement for him to continue coming reliably in the future. Try calling him when you are sure he will come and then release him to go back to the activity he enjoys.