Clicker Training Blog

People come from all over the world to experience California’s spectacular coastline and magical theme parks, but they are now coming to experience something else spectacular and magical: ClickerExpo 2011! This week, more than 400 people and 100 dogs descended on the Hyatt in Newport Beach, California, ready for three days of learning, networking, and fun! The conference kicked off on Thursday night with a cocktail reception sponsored by Karen Pryor Academy , where attendees had a chance to get acquainted under starry skies and get a taste of what is yet to come!

Anyone who has clicker trained knows how it inspires creativity in animals. But did you know that you can clicker train your pet to create his or her own masterpiece?

ClickerExpo and Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) faculty member Julie Shaw shared this video with us in tribute to Faith, the service dog she clicker trained for her son, Dylan, when he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Although Faith died of lymphosarcoma at the young age of six, she continues to touch lives as well as spread the merits and joy of clicker training. Julie shares in this month’s article, Reaching the Veterinary Community: An Interview with Julie Shaw, that Faith had a large influence on both her family and her career as a trainer, teacher, and animal behavior technologist. Faith was much more than just a service dog for Julie’s son; she was a faithful companion, teacher, mentor, and guide.