What training methods are used?

The trainers and instructors at CIA use the solid science of behaviorism in training, drawing both on decades of research and on the latest results from current animal training experiments.  We don't use superstition, old wives' tales, or "that's just how it's done" techniques -- we can and will be happy to explain each method and approach and point to the supporting science.

We've each spent dozens or hundreds of hours in continuing formal education in animal training; we know what works!

That said, here's what we do:  We use positive reinforcement to train a new behavior to replace the unwanted behavior.  For example, we don't teach a jumping dog "not to jump," we teach him to sit reliably to greet a person.  We use dog-friendly and humane methods, primarily marker-based training, using anything important to the dog (attention, petting, toys, treats) as earned rewards.  In short, we're behavioral clicker trainers.

"Eh?  I hear a lot about "clicker training." I've heard it's magic, cliker training and I've heard it's just a fad. What is clicker training, anyway?"

First, here's a list of what clicker training is not:

• a gimmick
• a cue (one click for sit, two for down)
• a gadget to get the dog's attention
• a shock collar controlled with a remote "clicker"

Instead, the sound of the clicker is an event marker, pinpointing the exact instant the dog performed a behavior we want to reinforce. This is faster and much more precise than a "Good Dog!" The clicker sounds the same each time, resulting in clearer information for the dog.

Because of the clear communication, clicker training is generally very fast, comparatively. In addition, clicker trainers focus on positive reinforcement techniques and use very little punishment, as the subject is learning to do a new behavior (such as sit) to replace an unwanted behavior (such as jumping up on a person) instead of learning to not do a behavior ("no jumping") which is a much more difficult concept for a dog.

Of course, the marker doesn't have to be an actual clicker -- dolphin trainers use a whistle, and deaf dogs respond well to a flashing penlight! Trainers have been using "clicker training" since the '30s and '40s with a variety of marker signals. But clickers are cheap, easy to use, crisp, and distinct from most everyday noises.

This clarifies the training process for both dogs and humans, as it's easy to see what we are marking and what we are training the dogs to do! The clicker is only a training tool to jump-start the process; once the behavior is learned, the clicker is no longer needed -- until you want to train new things!