Stop by the shelter on any given day, and you might hear a distinct clicking noise, followed by the sounds of happy pups, kitties and even rabbits and rats enjoying a quick treat before their next click.  Clicker training is part of the AWLA’s positive reinforcement training for shelter animals, but it’s more than just rewarding Buddy for his excellent “four on the floor” – when he has all four paws on the ground rather than jumping or spinning to greet visitors.

“Clicker training helps our animals put their best paw forward when meeting with potential adopters, and it’s all thanks to our wonderful volunteers!” say Echo Keif, Volunteer Program Manager at the AWLA.  “Studies have shown that clicker training can reduce stress and help animals feel more comfortable in their environment. The results are happier and healthier animals!”

Adding the clicker to positive reinforcement training gives animals a clear signal that they did something correctly and a treat is on the way.  But beyond being a novel sound, the clicker gives animals consistent training between our hundreds of volunteers who work with our animals, which allows Buddy to learn more quickly and all of our volunteers who have completed our Clicker Training course to work with animals throughout the shelter.

“They want to work for treats,” say AWLA Volunteer and Mentor Ericka Kinsey during a training session for other volunteers.  Since the AWLA started clicker training late last year, she says she’s noticed a difference in the in-kennel behavior of some of the shy dogs she works with, who now approach the front of their kennel to meet new friends rather than keeping their distance from visitors.

“We don’t start with saying ‘sit’ and then give the click and treat, but sitting is a behavior we will reward,” explains Ericka.  The emphasis for shelter animals is good behavior in kennels, which includes being quiet, sitting and walking to the front of the kennel to greet new visitors.  This training is beneficial for Buddy beyond helping him get adopted more quickly. Clicker training provides mental enrichment, which leads to lower stress levels and happy, confident animals.

Shelter visitors are welcome to help with our positive reinforcement training as well.  Dog kennels now have signs that show the good behavior that earns Buddy a treat, with a bucket of biscuits attached so members of the public can reward our pups, so that when Buddy meets his future family, he’ll be sitting quietly with “four on the floor” and a smile on his face.

To learn more about volunteering with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, click HERE.

Continue your reading on Clicker Training with links from ClickerTraining.com, National Center for Biotechnology Information, University of Florida, ScienceDirect.com and The Jackson Galaxy Project.