Clicker Training Glossary

• Aversive

  Any circumstance or event that causes pain, fear, or emotional discomfort.

• Back-chaining

  Training the last behavior in a chain first, then training the next-to-last behavior, and so on, taking advantage of the Premack principle.

• Balanced training

  A combination of traditional or punishment-based training techniques and other training methods like clicker training.

• Behavior

  Any observable action or response exhibited by an animal.

• Behavior chain

  A series of behaviors linked together in a continuous sequence using cues, with reinforcement provided at the end of the chain.

• Bridging stimulus

  An event marker, such as a clicker, that identifies the desired response and "bridges" the time gap between the response and the delivery of the primary reinforcer.

• Calming signals

  Subtle body language signals used by dogs to indicate stress, avoid confrontation, and diffuse aggression.

• Chaining

  The process of combining multiple behaviors into a continuous sequence linked together by cues and maintained by reinforcement at the end of the chain.

• Classical conditioning

  The process of associating a neutral stimulus with an involuntary response until the stimulus itself elicits the response.

• Clicker

  A toy noisemaker used as an event marker in clicker training due to its unique, quick, and consistent sound.

• Clicker training

  A system of teaching that utilizes positive reinforcement in combination with an event marker (clicker) to shape and modify behavior.

• ClickerExpo

  A clicker training conference organized by Karen Pryor Clicker Training, featuring lectures, hands-on labs, performances, and networking events.

• Combined training

  A training approach that incorporates all five principles of operant conditioning along with the use of a marker signal (clicker) to modify behavior.

• Compulsion training

  The traditional style of dog training that involves modeling or compelling the dog to perform a behavior, often accompanied by physical corrections for noncompliance.

• Conditioned punisher

  A conditioned stimulus that signifies the impending delivery of an aversive consequence, used to deter or interrupt behavior.

• Conditioned reinforcer

  A neutral stimulus that has been repeatedly paired with a primary reinforcer until it acquires the reinforcing properties of the primary reinforcer itself.

• Conditioned stimulus

  A previously neutral stimulus that, through repeated association, triggers a conditioned response.

• Consequences

  The outcomes or results of a behavior that can influence future occurrences of that behavior, according to the principles of operant conditioning.

• Continuous reinforcement

  The simplest schedule of reinforcement where every desired response is reinforced.

• Correction

  The application of a physical aversive to communicate to the dog that it has performed something incorrectly, often followed by guidance to achieve the desired behavior.

• Counter-conditioning

  The process of pairing a stimulus that elicits one response with another stimulus that elicits an opposite or desired response, aiming to replace the animal's apprehension with pleasure or positive associations.

• Criteria

  The specific, trainer-defined characteristics or standards that define a desired response during a training session.

• Crossover dog

  A dog that has previously been trained using non-clicker methods and is now undergoing clicker training.

• Crossover trainer

  A trainer who previously used non-clicker methods to train animals and has now adopted clicker training techniques.

• Cue

  A signal or stimulus, such as a verbal command, physical gesture, or environmental cue, that prompts an animal to perform a specific behavior.

• Desensitization

  The process of gradually increasing an animal's tolerance to a particular stimulus by systematically exposing them to it in a controlled manner.

• Differential reinforcement

  A training technique where some responses are rewarded while others are not, promoting and reinforcing desired behaviors.

• Environmental reinforcer

  Any desirable element present in the animal's environment that can be utilized as a powerful reinforcer for desired behavior.

• Event marker

  A signal used to mark and identify the occurrence of a desired behavior at the precise moment it happens, with the clicker being a common example.

• Extinction

  The weakening or reduction of a behavior by withholding reinforcement or ignoring it, eventually leading to its diminished occurrence.

• Extinction burst

  A temporary increase in the intensity or frequency of a behavior when it no longer receives reinforcement, as the animal tries harder to obtain the previously reinforcing consequence.

• Fixed interval

  A schedule of reinforcement where the desired behavior is reinforced after a specific period of time, such as every minute.

• Fixed ratio

  A schedule of reinforcement where the desired behavior is reinforced after a specific number of responses, such as after every third correct response.

• Four quadrants of operant conditioning

  A model that categorizes the consequences of behavior into four quadrants: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment, and negative punishment.

• Habituation

  The process of becoming accustomed to and no longer reacting to repeated exposure to a previously meaningful but now meaningless stimulus.

• Head halter

  A device similar to a horse's halter, used to gain control over a dog's head during leash walking and facilitate management and training.

• Interval reinforcement

  A schedule of reinforcement where the trainer reinforces the desired behavior according to a specific time interval.

• Intermitent reinforcement

  Intermittent reinforcement is a schedule of reinforcement utilized in cat training, whereby the trainer chooses to reinforce the desired behavior randomly (intervallic) every time the behavior is exhibited.

• Jackpot

  A significantly larger or higher-value reward given to the animal for an exceptionally exceptional effort or performance.

• Keep-going signal (KGS)

  A signal, verbal or otherwise, given during the performance of a behavior to inform the animal that it is on the right track and should continue doing what it is doing.

• Latency

  The time interval between the presentation of a cue and the occurrence of the desired response. Ideally, the latency should be minimal or immediate.

• Luring

  A technique that involves using a reward or target to guide the animal into performing a desired behavior without physical manipulation.

• Marker

  A signal or event marker, such as a clicker, used to mark and communicate the precise moment a desired behavior occurs to facilitate learning and reinforcement.

• Modeling

  A technique used in traditional training where the dog is physically guided or compelled to perform a behavior by the trainer, often without active participation from the dog's cognitive processes.

• Negative punishment (P-)

  The removal or loss of a desired resource or reward following a behavior to decrease the likelihood of that behavior occurring again.

• Negative reinforcement (R-)

  The removal or avoidance of an aversive or unpleasant stimulus following a behavior to increase the likelihood of that behavior recurring.

• No Reward Marker (NRM)

  A signal or cue used to indicate to the animal that the behavior it just performed did not earn a reward, allowing the animal to try again or modify its response.

• Operant conditioning (OC)

  The process of changing an animal's behavior through the manipulation of consequences that immediately follow the behavior. It involves the principles of reinforcement and punishment.

• Permanent criteria

  The characteristics or standards of a behavior that are present in the final desired behavior and should be consistently trained to a high level of reliability.

• Play-Train

  A training session in which we get the cat into play mode and channel that energy into behavior chains. This sessions tend to be very dynamic.

• Poison(ed)

  A term used to describe a previously reinforcing stimulus or cue that has lost its reinforcing value for the animal.

• Positive punishment (P+)

  The addition or application of an aversive or unpleasant stimulus following a behavior to decrease the likelihood of that behavior occurring again.

• Positive reinforcement (R+)

  The addition or presentation of a desirable or rewarding stimulus following a behavior to increase the likelihood of that behavior recurring.

• Premack principle

  A theory stating that a stronger or preferred behavior can serve as a reinforcer for a weaker or less preferred behavior.

• Primary reinforcer

  A reinforcer that the animal is inherently motivated by, such as food, water, or sex.

• Proofing

  The process of training a behavior to be reliable and consistent in the presence of various distractions, environments, or conditions.

• Punishment

  The application of a consequence that reduces the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future.

• Rate of reinforcement

  The number of reinforcers delivered for desired responses within a specific timeframe, which can significantly influence learning and behavior.

• Ratio

  A schedule of reinforcement based on the number of responses required to earn reinforcement.

• Reinforcement

  The process of providing a consequence, either through addition or removal, that increases the likelihood of a behavior recurring in the future.

• Reinforcer

  Anything that the animal finds rewarding or desirable and will work to obtain, serving as a consequence that strengthens behavior.

• Release word

  A verbal cue or command that signals the end or completion of a behavior, replacing the event marker (clicker) once the behavior is well-established.

• Respondent conditioning

  The process of associating a previously neutral stimulus with an involuntary response until the stimulus itself elicits the response, also known as classical conditioning.

• Secondary reinforcer

  A conditioned reinforcer that has acquired reinforcing properties through association with a primary reinforcer, even if it is not inherently rewarding.

• Shaping

  A technique that involves reinforcing successive approximations or small steps towards the desired behavior, gradually molding and shaping the final behavior.

• Series

  Combination of two or more behaviors without any reinforcement in between.

• Spontaneous recovery

  The reappearance of an extinguished behavior after a period of time, even without further reinforcement, though it typically diminishes again.

• Stimulus

  Any change in the environment that can be detected by the animal's senses and elicits a response or behavior.

• Stimulus control

  When a conditioned stimulus becomes a discriminative stimulus, signaling the occurrence of a specific behavior or cueing the animal to perform a particular response.

• Successive approximation

  The process of reinforcing and shaping behavior by progressively reinforcing closer and closer approximations to the desired final behavior.

• Target

  An object, location, or body part that the animal is trained to touch or interact with as part of a behavior or training exercise.

• Target stick

  A handheld or portable target used to guide and direct the animal's movements, often utilized in shaping behaviors or teaching targeting exercises.

• Temporary criteria

  Intermediate or stepping-stone criteria that are part of the training process but will not be present in the final desired behavior.

• Three-fer

  A training scenario where the animal must perform three behaviors to earn one click and one treat.

• Variable interval

  A schedule of reinforcement where the desired behavior is reinforced after varying periods of time within a specified range.

• Variable ratio

  A schedule of reinforcement where the desired behavior is reinforced after varying numbers of correct responses, promoting high response rates and resistance to extinction.

• Variable schedule of reinforcement

  A reinforcement schedule that is based on variable intervals or ratios, combining elements of both fixed and variable schedules.

• Timing

  The precise and accurate timing of the event marker (click) or reinforcement delivery in relation to the occurrence of the desired behavior.

• Traditional training

  Refers to training methods that rely on compulsion, force, modeling, negative reinforcement, or punishment, in contrast to positive reinforcement-based methods like clicker training.

• Training period

  A designated period of time allocated for training activities, which may consist of multiple training sessions.

• Training session

  A focused and structured period of time dedicated to training, which may involve specific goals, criteria, and reinforcement schedules.

• Two-fer

  A training scenario where the animal must perform two behaviors to earn one click and one treat.