History of Clicker Training

So, where does clicker training come from?

Believe it or not - dolphins.

Dolphin trainers realized that they were not
able to tell a dolphin what to do. So, they
needed to find a way to make the dolphin want
to participate in the training. After all, a dolphin
can just swim away. You can't really tie up a
dolphin.

Dolphin trainers began to think of ways to train
a dolphin by using animal learning theory to
their advantage. They taught the dolphins to
associate a whistle with being rewarded with a
fish.

Related Pages in
Positive Horse
Training

Equine Clicker Training
-Common Criticism
-What is CT?
-History of CT
-Horses Love CT
-More Than Tricks

Information presented is for educational purposes only and is not intended
to replace professional opinions or recommendations.
Consult your veterinarian for advice about any medical condition or
treatment needed for your horse

Soon they were able to get the dolphins to understand that if they performed certain behaviors, the trainers
would sound the whistle and they would get a reward. As training went on, they were able to get the dolphins to
do harder and more complicated behaviors.

This was the beginning of clicker training.

More to come!!

I plan to add more to this
page in the near future.

Equine Learning Theory
- Operant Conditioning
- Conditioned Reinforcers
-Reinforcement or Punishment