Clicker Training Blog

The Acro-Cats' holiday special, live in Chicago December 9

By Miranda Hersey Helin on 12/05/2007

Some of you may remember clicker trainer Samantha Martin from a profile we ran about her last year: Herding Cats in Hollywood. Samantha has been clicker training animals for commercials and films for more than 15 years.

Now Samantha and her Amazing Acro-Cats will be celebrating the holiday season with two special shows at the Mars Gallery, located at 1139 W Fulton Market in Chicago on Sunday, December 9 at 4:30 and 6:00 pm. Tickets are $10 and available at the door.

These fabulous felines will perform such festive feats as jumping through Christmas wreaths, pushing a sleigh, and many more amazing and entertaining tricks. There will be a special appearance by The Rockcats playing seasonal carols such as "Sandy Claws is Coming to Town" and "Oh Catnip Tree." This show will be an unusual twist on what has already proven to be an entertaining and one of a kind show for audiences of all ages. For further details, read more!

Operant conditioning and the creative artist

By Miranda Hersey Helin on 12/04/2007

Robert Genn is a painter who hosts the website www.thepainterskeys.com and sends out a semi-weekly e-newsletter on various art-related topics. I've been a subscriber for a few months now. When I received a newsletter on the connection between operant conditioning and creativity, I chuckled. I think you'll enjoy it. The letter is reprinted here (click "read more"), with Robert Genn's permission.

How to Raise a Puppy: A School Project

By Aidan Bindoff on 11/18/2007

A young High School student, Caitlin, from Australia is doing a class project on "How To Raise a Puppy." Caitlin chose this topic because she is extremely passionate about animals and is raising a Labrador pup of her own.

Caitlin has these questions for us. I have done my best to answer her, but you might like to add your own comments below, please be sure to reference the question you are answering when you do.

Facilitating shelter adoptions with clicker training

By Miranda Hersey Helin on 11/18/2007

The Washington Humane Society is the only the only "open-access shelter" in Washington, DC, meaning that no animal is ever turned away. The shelter now relies on clicker training to help their animals become more adoptable.

"Over the past 3 years, a growing group of volunteers have learned to clicker-train rescued dogs for obedience, agility and other skills. The goal is to make them better candidates for adoption, as well as reduce stress by providing much-needed stimulation."

Is Your Dog the Next "Indiana Bones?"

By Aidan Bindoff on 11/12/2007

A dog untrained in cadaver search has made an astonishing find on a beach in Suffolk, UK—the remains of a Woolly Mammoth, more than 11,000 years old!

Clicker trainer Joan Orr on Pet Talk Radio

By Miranda Hersey Helin on 11/02/2007

Joan Orr Listen up! Joan Orr, ClickerExpo faculty member, has been asked back to Pet Talk Radio. She'll be discussing important pet safety tips and guidelines—a topic she knows well. (See Joan's October 2007 article How to Keep Your Pet Safe.) The interview will air November 8, 9:06-10:00 a.m. central time on radio station AM1310 KOKX. If you're within reception range in Iowa, tune in!

Fido Awards to Recognise Dogs in Cinema

By Aidan Bindoff on 10/23/2007

Five Corgis, Anna, Poppy, Megan, Alice, and Oliver, have not only starred opposite Oscar winning actress Helen Mirren in her award winning role as Queen Elizabeth in "The Queen", but now they have been nominated for their own awards in the Historical Hounds category of the newly created Fido Awards at the London Film Festival.

Variations on the 300 Peck Method of Increasing Duration or Distance

By Aidan Bindoff on 10/19/2007

If you want to know the easiest way to raise criteria while keeping your rate of reinforcement high, look no further than the 300 Peck Method popularised by Alexandra Kurland and Sue Ailsby.