About the CCAP program (Clicker Competency Assessment
Program)
Clicker Training is a fast growing teaching method that has
evolved into thousands of different classes and interests around
the world.
Essentially the definition of a "clicker trainer" is
a person who trains using a clicker. Competency is not directly
measurable by the description. Some clicker trainers are reaching
for the sky and able to achieve astonishing results, some clicker
trainers are simply adding the clicker to an existing program
of training, which may or may not be coercive.
To gain access to this powerful method the teacher (clicker
trainer) needs to be skilled, very self aware, observant, able
to analyze, adjust the teaching to suit that particular dog at
that particular time. As they develop their skills their understanding
of the process deepens and they are able to transfer the learning
to other animals, other fields of interest and have genuinely
learned to communicate with another species through skilled use
of the clicker.
I believe the true power of clicker training is seeded in allowing
the dog to self teach and in particular through the method of
capturing the behavior. The canine ownership of the learning
results in very secure cue association and reliability of quality.
The dog truly becomes involved in the learning process, becomes
highly motivated and teaches us poor humans a thing or two about
learning.
The Competency Assessment Program (CAP) is designed to serve
two purposes:
u to provide a clear pathway, with marked steps for learners
to gain their skill, knowledge and understanding
u to provide a certification system validating the competency
of clicker trainers
The assessment system is not intended to hi-light what a person
has not achieved, but what a person has accomplished and give
confidence at their achieved level.
Assessment is given at three grades:
1 Pass. Demonstrates some skill,
knowledge and understanding, but many areas in need of further
development
2 Merit. Demonstrates good skill,
knowledge and understanding, some areas in need of further development
3 Distinction. Demonstrates excellent
skill, knowledge and understanding, in need of little, or no
further development
All criteria must at least achieve a 1 to pass.
Achievement in the lower level with Distinction of Merit is
required to progress: ie to take Novice Level 2 you will need
Merit or Distinction at Foundation Level 1.
Assessors are required to have Distinction in the higher class
to assess, ie Distinction in Level 2 to assess Level 1, and will
need to shadow assess to gain experience before being a certified
assessor.
The assessor will be looking at the process of clicker training
through the trainer's technique, ability to be flexible, meet
the needs of the dog, develop positive learning experience for
the dog and communicate effectively. At no time will the dog
be under test. The dog is not expected to be perfect, the assessor
will only be looking at the trainer's competency as demonstrated
by the behaviors.
The trainer will be expected to take responsibility for selecting
the exercises or behaviors to suit the dog and the environment
and prove to the Assessor the requirements of the criteria for
that level.
Achieving Foundation and Novice level is quite sufficient for
most dog owners. They will be able to train the basic behaviors
required of society, with reliability in a range of situations.
For those wishing to enter sports, train dogs for work or develop
behavior modification programs should follow the curriculum and
be assessed at Intermediate and Advanced Levels.
Results of all assessments are kept on a central database at
Learning About Dogs. To respect your privacy this is not accessible
outside the Approved Assessors.
Successful trainers may use the initials: CAP1, CAP2, CAP3,
CAP4 after their names to indicate certification.
If you are interested in implementing the CAP system for your
training staff please contact us direct.
Taking the Assessment
Assessment opportunities are be held through the year and may
be in conjunction with other events or workshops. The cost per
assessment will be in the region of £7-£12 ($12-20)
depending on the cost of the venue. Assessment by Video or DVD
is acceptable, please make sure the format is compatible with
the Assessor's.
It is essential you have a clear plan for your demonstration
and make sure all criteria are clearly and sufficiently demonstrated,
particularly for video assessment. You may refer to your plan
through the demonstration.
More advanced trainers can be assessed simultaneously at Level
1 and Level 2, but the trainer is responsible for ensuring their
demonstration adequately covers ALL the required criteria.
Trainers may take any assessment as many times as they wish
until a Distinction is achieved. Trainers may review their grades
and discuss areas in need of improvement with the assessor. Details
of certified assessors and assessment days are on the website
or in Teaching Dogs magazine.
Assessors and Assessment Centers
All Assessors are certified by Learning About Dogs and have
achieved Distinction in the Level higher than that which they
assess. Two Assessors independently assess the Advanced Level
4.
To become and Assessors you will need previous experience assessing
(not judging) in any field or be invited to gain assessment practice
alongside a Certified Assessor. To become an Assessor you will
need endorsement from an existing Assessor who will be able to
mentor your development.
If you would like to book an Assessor for your own class / organization
please contact us for the nearest Assessor direct.
FOUNDATION LEVEL 1
This level is assessing the basic skills of handling the rewards,
clicker, lure and target stick/hand. The trainer's ability to
communication with the dog without coercion, their observation
and decision making skills. Trainers would be expected to be
able to add cues to behaviors and have shaped and lured simple
behaviors.
The assessment criteria are:
The trainer demonstrating that they can:
1. Handle food rewards safely and efficiently.
2. Deliver food rewards from hand or pocket.
3. Deliver from a reserve kept off the handler.
4. Operate the clicker in either hand with a non-visual movement.
5. Give reasons for their choice of reward.
6. Attach a verbal cue to a behavior without supporting body
language.
7. Give a cue without excessive body language or unnecessary
repetition.
8. Have taught the dog to respond to the cue without excessive
hesitation.
9. Use a target stick or target hand, clicker and rewards and
deliver food effectively.
10. Have taught the dog to focus on the target and respond promptly
to the target cue.
11. Give the click appropriately to effectively communicate
the rewarded behavior.
12. Withhold the click to gradually extend the duration of a
behavior.
13. Deliver the reward with fluency and good timing to encourage
further learning
14. Free shape a behavior that is interaction with a new object
without giving the dog assistance from verbal or visual cues.
The demonstration is the evidence provided by the trainer of
their competency in the criteria. Evidence must be sufficient
and leave the Assessor in no doubt of the competency of the trainer.
The demonstration should take no longer than 20 minutes.
NOVICE LEVEL 2
This level is assessing the trainer's ability to secure a solid
foundation in achieving a consistent quality and reliability
to cue and develop more complex behaviors in free shaping.
The assessment criteria are:
The trainer has demonstrated that they:
1. Have taught a behavior through targeting where the target
has been faded.
2. Have transferred a targeted behavior to a new target or cue.
3. Have achieved and maintained fluency in at least 3 behaviors
4. Have achieved and maintained a consistent quality in at least
3 behaviors
5. Have maintained a consistent standard of 3 behaviors in different
locations
6. Have maintained a consistent standard of 3 behaviors with
distractions
7. Can attach a verbal cue to a behavior where the body language
is variable
8. Can attach a visual cue to a behavior where the body language
is variable
9. Can change the cue attached to a behavior.
10. Can demonstrate the behavior does not happen unless cued.
11. Can use a different reward.
12. Can shape a new behavior that is a physical movement without
luring or targeting
13. Can free shape a behavior that is interaction with a new
object without giving the dog assistance from verbal or visual
cues.
14. Can continue with the free shaping by adding a physical
movement to the interaction with the without giving the dog assistance
from verbal or visual cues.
The demonstration is the evidence provided by the trainer of
their competency in the criteria. Evidence must be sufficient
and leave the Assessor in no doubt of the competency of the trainer.
The demonstration should take no longer than 30 minutes.
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL 3
The assessor will be looking for different collections of compound
behaviors, advanced shaping and evidence of data collection and
analysis.
The assessment criteria are:
The trainer has demonstrated that they can:
1 Use a single cue to chain at least 3 individual behaviors
where a reward is only given on completion of the chain
2 Maintain the quality of each behavior within the chain (above)
3 Chain at least 6 individual behaviors where each individual
behavior is cued and reward is only given on completion of the
chain
4 Maintain the quality of each behavior within a chain (above)
5 Merge at least 3 behaviors that occur simultaneously into
one new behavior
6 Collect data demonstrating progression of learning and analyze
the results.
7 Have free shaped a new complex behavior without overtly directing
the learning.
The demonstration is the evidence provided by the trainer of
their competency in the criteria. Evidence must be sufficient
and leave the Assessor in no doubt of the competency of the trainer.
The demonstration should take no longer than 30 minutes.
Information about Competency
Assessment Program (CAP) and Level
1 & 2 Testing.
Contact Dee
for more information about testing.
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