Clicker training

Clicker training is an operant conditioning based on positive reinforcement. When the animal offers the desired behavior, a click or another distinctive sound (secondary reinforcer) is delivered and within the following few seconds the reward is presented (primary reinforcer). The click bridges the time between the desired behavior and the presentation of the reward. A target stick providing a visual guide for the animal can be used for the training.

Clicker training with mice using a target stick. Left: The mouse is following the target stick and is climbing on the experimenter's hand. If the hand is lifted, the mouse will remain on the palm of the hand. Right: The mice are trained in a group. Two mice are following the target stick on the palm of the experimenter's hand.

Animals are usually trained individually, though it is also possible to perform clicker training in a groups, e.g. in mice, rats, and rabbits. For rats, it was demonstrated that they learned tasks by observing the clicker traníning of their cage mates.

Clicker training can be used to train animals in a stress-free way. The following behaviours are examples for what this technique can be used for:

Mice: entering a tunnel, following a target stick, climbing on the palm of the hand

Rats: following a target stick, voluntarily change to a cage, observational learning

Rabbits: following a target stick, rearing/standing up to inspect the abdomen, approaching a human, being touched and lifted by a human, trimming nails, coming on command

Pigs: Pigs can be easily trained to cooperate if they are treated empathetically and desired behavior is reinforced by providing food stuff in form of treats and apple juice.

Experts for clicker training in mice and rats: TARC, Mainz, Germany

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