Clicker training without clicker

[Kisota]

Have you ever tried clicker training without the use of a clicker?

Obviously, a clicker isn't an expensive piece of equipment, so this isn't about avoiding expenses.

I'll admit I have limited experience with clicker training, though I'm hoping that will change if/when I get a new companion! But the experience I have had with clicker training did not use clickers.

BUT, you may ask, how is it even clicker training if you're not using a clicker?

The answer is that a click is still used as the bridge (or secondary reinforcer if you've gone that far with it).

I spent the summer working with wolves. They were not extensively trick trained but quite a few had some interesting behaviors on cue. What the park uses instead of a clicker is a tongue pop! You just click or pop your tongue when you would normally be using a clicker with your hand.

The main benefit is not having to have a clicker on you. For parrot training, it means you wouldn't have to try to juggle a target stick, treat, and clicker all in your hand at once. Horrible accidents excluded, you won't lose track of or be without your tongue anytime!

At the same time, the sound is distinct, and easily replicated by just about anyone. You don't have to worry about tone or voice affecting whether the bridge is being understood or anything. I noticed with the wolves that even though my sound was more of a click than the nice pop the experienced trainers were able to make, the animals clearly understood the sound I made and perked up visibly when they heard it.

SO, my ultimate question - Has anyone tried this with parrots?? Are there any reasons it may not work well compared to regular clicker training?

I'm thinking of using this method for convenience the next time I have a bird. But I'm curious if it's been done before or if anyone can think of any problems with it.

What do you think?

 

[Kalidasa]

You don't need an actual clicker, or even a click sound. Just a sound that is repeated. Clicking with your tongue is fine.

 

[TessieB]

And distinct sound will do.

 

[Jayyj]

The Barbara Heidenreich DVD I've been working with recommends a word as being enough to provide the bridge. With Alice I'd already introduced the clicker by the time we started with the DVD so I'm sticking with it for the time being, but it obviously works for Barbara to not use a clicker. As I understand it the only advantage of the clicker is that it's the exact same sound every time, where as a word command can be given with numerous different inflections so might take longer for the animal to figure out the bridge sound. It is a pain though when you want to capture a behaviour and the clicker is inevitably in the other room!

 

[Calace]

As long as it's a sound that is instant so that they associate the sound with the behaviour it'll work!

 

[Kisota]

The Barbara Heidenreich DVD I've been working with recommends a word as being enough to provide the bridge. With Alice I'd already introduced the clicker by the time we started with the DVD so I'm sticking with it for the time being, but it obviously works for Barbara to not use a clicker. As I understand it the only advantage of the clicker is that it's the exact same sound every time, where as a word command can be given with numerous different inflections so might take longer for the animal to figure out the bridge sound. It is a pain though when you want to capture a behaviour and the clicker is inevitably in the other room!

Yup, the inflection problems (and people with different voices, etc) was why I wanted to use a sound that would remain pretty distinct between people. I figured it would be pretty much analogous to any other bridge, but I guess I was wondering if maybe it would still vary enough that using a clicker would be more ideal.

Thanks for the thoughts, everyone! Any other comments or advice would be loved, as well! I am looking into getting a bird sometime this year, and unless I hear objections, I may give the tongue-clicker training a try. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes! :3

 

[MomtoPercy]

I am not able to train sucessfully without the clicker. I find it very difficult to recreate the exact same sound verbally each time and I noticed that Percy gets confused too. The clicker is easy for me to do (except when it comes to target training, still working on growing a third arm for that one! LOL) and easy for him to follow.

I'd love an alternative because I do not always have the clicker immediately at hand and sometimes a training opportunity just presents itself, you know? I've bought a 2nd clicker for this but even with two, I still don't have one with me at all times LOL!!

 

[Kisota]

Yeah, the trickiness of clicker and target training together is really what is encouraging me to try it without having to hold a clicker.

I'm hoping the tongue click is distinct enough for a birdie not to get confused. And they're not likely to hear that sound very often out-of-context, like they might it a word was being used, so that's another benefit.

I've seen the tongue click method work well. If it can be used to help train a wolf to bounce up and down, I am hopeful it will work for parrot training as well!

 

[Kalidasa]

Ok you inventors out there, invent a clicker-ring, something stylish and useful. Preferably silver. Or a clicker watch...but sharp looking.

 

[kendrafitz]

I use my tongue to make the clicker sound. It works best for us, Rosie gets distracted by the clicker itself or any thing else I am holding otherwise.

 

[MomtoPercy]

Ok you inventors out there, invent a clicker-ring, something stylish and useful. Preferably silver. Or a clicker watch...but sharp looking.

Yeah! And make it blingy too!

 

[Kisota]

I use my tongue to make the clicker sound. It works best for us, Rosie gets distracted by the clicker itself or any thing else I am holding otherwise.

Yay! Someone IS trying it! I'm so happy to hear it. :3 Wonderful! Good for you and Rosie!

 

[MonicaMc]

Although I often recommend clicker training and I own two clickers, I rarely ever use them! LOL

The main reason I recommend clicker training is because of the concept of clicker training, aka positive reinforcement. It doesn't have to be about using a clicker at all as long as you understand how to teach the bird to perform the behavior you want them to! Yes, a clicker is more precise and can make training easier, if not faster, it's not necessarily a requirement.



For those who don't like the idea of having to juggle a clicker, target stick and treats, well it's been simplified for you! Barbara Heidenreich does have a telescoping target stick with clicker!


Parrot DVDS | Parrot Books | Parrot Training

 

[MangieSun]

I just got the clik stik from eBay. Same kind of telescoping clicker stick as the one above that MonicaMC mentioned. No more clumsy fumbling with clicker and stick. I prefer to use a clicker always. Main reason being that I am familiar with it. (Trained dogs with clicker before my birds).