Llamas and Alpacas as a Metaphor for Life. Teaching your llama to pack. There are many different ways to work with and train llamas. The newest training technology available to llama owners is clicker training. Clicker training is simply slang for operant conditioning using positive reinforcement.
Operant conditioning is the underlying method by which all animals and people learn.
It uses the skills, creativity, and participation of the llama to achieve the goal behavior desired by the trainer. Operant conditioning was developed by behavioral psychologist B.F.Skinner in the 1940's. In the 1960's it became widely used for marine mammal training. Marine mammal trainers began to concentrate on what the animals were doing right, rather than on trying to discipline them for what they were doing wrong. By using positive reinforcement to shape those correct behaviors, they were able to develop the consistency and reliability of behavior that you see at oceanariums today.