I intend to cover both the art and science behind positive reinforcement training - the how's and why's of what it's about. If the weather is nice (it's supposed to be) I'll do some demonstrations with the donkeys, if not, I'll just give the talk indoors.
Here's my write-up:
Introduction
to Clicker Training - force-free training for all species!
Saturday,
October 4th at 1 PM.
I
had my first glimpse of clicker training at a conference in 2004 and
my curiously was definitely peaked! Seeking out presenter and
horse-woman, Ilse de Wit, I had a couple of private sessions in
Millarville AB and was introduced to the basics. Ilse’s
mentor is US-based Alexandra Kurland, the pioneer of clicker training
for horses. I attended my first of three clinics with Alex in
Cochrane AB at Monty Gwynne’s ranch. Monty
(www.theponyfairy.com) is herself a horse clicker trainer and
long-time student of Alex’s, having come to clicker training via
more traditional methods.
Monty
has since come to Denman Island twice to work with me and my donkeys
as well as other horse owners.
I
have also had several training sessions with Sola Wolff,
(www.equinerevelation.com) an amazing young trainer living in WA who
works with horses and mules. And I’ve been back to train with
Alex, at clinics in Cochrane AB and Toutle WA. I was even able to
attended an equine clicker training conference in the UK last Fall!
Alexandra
Kurland is on faculty at the Karen Pryor Academy’s Clicker Expo -
bi-annual conferences held in the US. So naturally, I longed to
attend and was able to go to two that were held in Portland. These
conferences are an amazing series of lectures, presentations and
dog-training “labs” given by some of the world’s most renowned
trainers and behaviour scientists. It was there that I was able
to see and hear about some of the extraordinary things that have been
taught to animals ... on farms, in zoos, marine environments and
private homes, without force, without punishment!
Through
Dalhousie University, I was accepted to be a “beta-tester” for a
soon-to-be offered on-line course. Once launched, I enrolled
and completed Operant Conditioning Behaviour Analysis, earning top
marks. The course required weekly video submissions of our work
with our chosen course animal, as well as tests on theory and
practice. Currently I am enrolled in
Alexandra Kurland’s on line course through
www.theclickercenter.com.
Why
do I keep studying? The more I learn about the principles and
applications of clicker training, the more passionate I become,
realizing that this process is both accessible to all of us and
deeply layered. Best of all though, I love working with
animals, my donkeys in particular, and clicker training has had a
hugely positive impact on all of us.
Clicker
training principles, understood and practiced, can enrich the lives
of our companion animals and ourselves so that a willing partnership,
based on mutual respect and trust is established.
It
is a very lively, creative technique, adaptable to any species. You
can teach anything that an animal is physically and emotionally
capable of doing and you learn so much about yourself in the process
… how to be non-reactive, how to solve training puzzles, deal with
basic husbandry needs and so much more!
I
will share all of this with you and more during an informal
presentation and demonstration on Saturday October 4th at 1 PM sharp.
Although the session is free, I will have a donation jar for
the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada, should you feel moved to contribute.
Everyone interested is welcome!
Hope your presentation goes great!!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Mary