What the dog trainers are calling clicker training is an application of behavior analysis that was initially invented and developed more than thirty years ago, by Keller Breland, Marian Breland Bailey, and Bob Bailey. It first reached widespread use in the training of marine mammals, which is where I learned it myself.

When was clicker invented?

Rather, it is a popular presentation of the essentials of operant conditioning. Karen and Gary Wilkes introduced operant ("clicker") training to dog trainers with a series of seminars in 1992 and 1993.

What is clicker training based on?

Clicker training is a positive reinforcement animal training method based on a bridging stimulus (the clicker) in operant conditioning. The system uses conditioned reinforcers, which a trainer can deliver more quickly and more precisely than primary reinforcers such as food.