Below are some links for clicker training.
Have fun checking them out!

www.clickryder.8m.com/
www.eternalsunstable.com
www.duende.dhs.org/kris/willietricks.htm
www.equineclickertraining.com
www.canadianclickercentre.com/index.htm
www.equilog.com.au/
clickryder.com
www.theclickercenter.com
www.clickin-on-ranch.com
www.horsemansarts.com
www.cremebrulee.be/inge/welkom.html
www.brigid.clickryder.com
www.zenhorsemanship.com
www.equilog.com.au

Our good friend Kathy Dynge has worked with clicker training for many years. She was one of the first to use this method for her donkeys and mules. See how she teaches her donkey biscuit to step into a puddle and here are pictures of her mule who was scared of syringes and fly masks. Kathy has been a big inspiration to many of us. Her website is at www.angelfire.com/or2/ranger/

photos above:

Barb Miller and her mule Jenny demonstrating target training, 2004
Kris Anderson and her mule Willie bowing and stepping out
 

Clicker training and mules?  You bet!
written by Barb Miller, 2004

Frustration originally led me to try clicker training with Jenny.  I wanted a riding mule. She was a former Amish mule turned pack animal.  She didn't have a clue what I wanted her to do and I didn't have a clue how to tell her. She was probably as frustrated as I was! One day while skimming through some posts, I found information on clicker training horses.  From there, I sent away for a book by Alexandra Kurland titled “Clicker Training For Your Horse”.  I highly recommend it to anyone interested in clicker training their mule. 

Clicker training is actually a form of operant conditioning. It was originally used to train sea mammals, then someone started using it on dogs and then horses. All you need to buy to get started training your mule is a clicker.  Everything else you'll need can be items you have laying around in your barn or house.  You'll want a target which is something you use to teach your mule that a click means yes.  I have used detergent bottles hung with baling twine, traffic cones, milk jugs... whatever's handy. I now use a large plastic mayo bottle with a wooden dowl stuck through a hole in the bottom.
Treats are really important - you'll use a lot of them and you'll want them easily accessible. Treats can be a portion of your animal's feed, alfalfa cubes, horse cookies..anything that appeals to your mule.  I use slices of carrot and apple, peppermints and after-dinner mints as treats and keep them in a second-hand store purse slung over my shoulder.  Some people use fishing vests, some use their jeans pockets, others use fanny packs.

To start clicker training your mule, you want to place the target close enough to the mule that they will accidently bump their nose into it. When they do, click and give them a treat. Continue to hold the target in such a way that the mule bumps its nose, gets clicked and treated. You will probably find that your mule catches on really quick (they love their food).  It helps to hide the target behind your back while you're treating. 

When it seems like they've got things figured out, try moving the target towards the ground - when your mule touches it click and reward. Try up in the air, down near their feet, over your shoulder. 
Keep your sessions short.  You might want to work 5 minutes now and another 5 later. I generally do 15 or 20 minutes a day.

So now you've got your mule touching a plastic mayo jar on a stick....what comes next? Is your mule hard to load into the trailer? Does he calmly walk over a tarp or a piece of plywood? Is there a part of the barn he avoids/shies in everytime like the wash stall? Does your mule have puddle issues?  These are all things you can work on with just your target, clicker, time and patience.
A stationary target (like my detergent bottle hung with baling twine) works great for the mule that doesn't like to stand in one place, or doesn't like to stand in one place for very long. Teach your mule to touch the stationary target, then build on their time - a second longer between clicks.  Some folks up the criteria even more by asking for ears forward or a particular stance before clicking.

A mat or board laying on the ground can be used to teach your mule to ground tie or stand for mounting.  When I introduced the mat to my 3 year old molly Dakota, I decided to click her when she lowered her head to check out the mat. Then she pawed at the mat which got another click. Sometimes they will put a foot on the mat on their own and sometimes you have to orchestrate it for them.  As soon as she placed one hoof on the mat, I clicked and gave her a large handful of treats.  Then I would back her up off the mat and ask her to do it again. After she figured out that one hoof got a click and a treat I up'd the criteria to two feet on the mat.  It doesn't take long for them to figure out what you want them to do - one or two sessions is usually all it takes.  Work on duration and you've got a mule that will stand quietly.

I usually incorporate cues into my clicker training, some are verbal and some are actions. I point at the mat to cue Dakota to step on it then I raise my open hand level with her chest to ask her to back. I use the word "touch" when I work with the target.  For head lowering, I place my hand on Jenny's mane or lift up on the lead rope.  To ask Dakota to lift her leg, I place my palm on her upper leg and say "foot". 

Break everything down into small steps - that is the key to clicker training. In the beginning, you may only be clicking for a slight shift in weight or a small change in head height.  Part of the beauty of clicker training is you can pinpoint subtle movements - you can tell your mule "YES that is what I want" at the exact moment that it occurs and build from there.



Clicker is a wonderful compliment to other forms of training you may use with your mule. It can be used for training on the ground and while in the saddle. It's also great for enhancing your relationship with your mule. When weather conditions make it impossible to ride, I grab a bunch of treats and head out to the barn to spend time with my clicker mules.

START REALLY COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR MULE - CLICKER TRAIN THEM! 

If you are interested in learning more about clicker training, you might want to join the folks at Clickryder@yahoogroups.com