Tug earns a click of praise by nudging the Ally-Oop

For an animal, learning a new behavior closely follows this basic pattern and clicker training capitalizes on this effective but simple form of training. The most noticeable difference between "hot/cold" and clicker training is the signal that describes correct behavior.

Instead of chanting "you're getting warmer," clicker trainers use the snap-snap sound of a toy clicker to mark good behavior. A short, single syllable word, such as "oops" is used to mark "cold." Once the animal realizes that the click-click sound leads to tangible treats and affection, while "oops" postpones rewards, the game is on. Because the process so closely mirrors the same "trial and error" learning that occurs in nature, virtually all animals can benefit from this method. Many animals that were considered stubborn or dimwitted when trained in a traditional manner suddenly become bright and willing learners when clicker training is introduced.

Alan, Gary and Tug rest after a long training session.

It is ironic that the simple wisdom of a child's game and the natural behavior of our beloved pets are helping to further research in the complex world of artificial intelligence and "synthetic" creatures. If you think this blending of natural wisdom with 21st Century know-how is creating a greater understanding of animals and machines, you may be getting very warm, indeed.
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