Clicker Training

Schedule of Seminars for 2004

Animal Behaviour has always held great interest for me. Starting with a collie mix breed pup "Kim", a 4-H calf "T-Bone" and a cat named "Busy", I have been fascinated. The study of animal behaviour has taken me from the courses offered by PABA at the Ontario Veterinarian College to Westminster England and Dr. Bruce Fogle DVM author of many books including "The Dog's Mind".

At the age of 12 years I trained my first dog "Kim" to be a retriever as I watched a neighbor working his Labrador hunting dogs. "Kim" went on to become an indispensable mink retriever during the 1960's when my family mink ranched. I have trained 26 breeds of dogs during my career and have studied training methods under some of the best trainers in the world. Four trips to Hot Springs Arkansas to study with Marian and Bob Bailey have given me extensive insight into operant conditioning as a training method. Other trainers I have had the privilege to study with were Karen Pryor, Gary Wilkes, Sylvia Bishop, Job Michael Evans, Jack Godsil, Bob Self and Ernie Brown.

Operant conditioning - behaviour analysis has been my preferred method since 1988. To begin with I used a word as the marker but have since adopted the clicker which I find much more accurate as a conditioned reinforcer. The click is paired with a treat or toy as the primary reinforcer.

Training options available include:

"Training Magic" a two day clicker training workshop. These seminars introduce the theory of operant conditioning through lectures, videos, demonstrations and the training game. Each workshop is tailor designed to meet the needs of the participants. All levels of obedience, behaviour modification for behaviour problems and tracking can be included. "Training Magic" has been presented many times at the Atlantic Veterinary College as well as for various dog clubs in the Maritime area. This workshop works equally well with a variety of species.
One and two day seminars are held at Cloverfield Kennel. A maximum of 5 participants are accepted in these mini workshops. Problem solving is highlighted as the participants work with their own animals.

Watch the movie (2.7MB)

Small Group Classes are offered once a week. All breeds and mixes from 12 weeks of age are accepted.

Private Lessons can be set up to problem solve and meet individual needs.

In Kennel Training is another training option for dog owners. The dog lives at Cloverfield Kennel for 60 days. The owner visits regularly and learns how to handle their dog successfully.