Tricks and Training - Page 35

Picklepaige · #**341** 08-14-2012, 10:34 AM

Okay, we've done 3 sessions so far with putting her front paws on a book, and it's going well! The first session was just getting her to notice the book, so clicking whenever she looked at it. The second session was clicking anytime she interacted with it. We just had the third session (which I filmed so I'll put it up,) and the first few clicks were a continuation from the last session (touching it in anyway) then out of NOWHERE she starts to consistently put her paw on it, so the criteria was upped to that.

At the end, she put both paws on it. The session lasted about two minutes longer than that, but that's when I stopped filming. She never did put both paws on it again, so I just ended on a good note and clicked for one paw.

Any critiques? I am really new at this, so help is appreciated

SaraB · #**342** 08-14-2012, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Picklepaige

Any critiques? I am really new at this, so help is appreciated

I'm glad to see she's offering things trying to figure it out! That's the first step with shaping a dog, having them figure out that they have to initiate the behavior. So that's awesome! The more things you shape, the quicker and quicker she will be to offer different things.

One thing I would change is where you offer the reward. With any kind of perch work I always give the reward where I want their head to be while they are perched. If you are consistently offering the reward to one side, they will gravitate to that side. If you are consistently offering the reward where they may have to step on the perch to reach it, they will be much more inclined to step on it in the future. Reward placement is one of the key components of shaping that a lot of people miss.

Picklepaige · #**343** 08-14-2012, 10:51 AM

Okay, so should I give the reward in the middle? I get a bit confused, because I see some videos of people training what I'm doing, and they'll throw the treat. I always thought that meant the dog should step away from the perch before getting the treat.

What you're saying makes a lot of sense, though. Thanks!

Taqroy · #**344** 08-14-2012, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaraB

Taqroy, all those look fabulous!! What I love the most is your use of reward placement, you have killer technique! Murphy is too stinkin cute, you can go ahead and send him to me anytime.

Thank you! That technique is the result of many shaping sessions gone horribly awry by my terrible placement LOL. Murphy just slays me. He's so motivated and it's impossible for me to be mad at him so working with him is just pure fun.

Taqroy · #**345** 08-14-2012, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Picklepaige

Okay, so should I give the reward in the middle? I get a bit confused, because I see some videos of people training what I'm doing, and they'll throw the treat. I always thought that meant the dog should step away from the perch before getting the treat.

What you're saying makes a lot of sense, though. Thanks!

For perch work I try to reward above the object I want them on. Once they're actually putting both paws on I'll reward while they're on it and then rapid fire click/treat several times while they're still on it. Then I'll throw one off to reset the game.

SaraB · #**346** 08-14-2012, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taqroy

For perch work I try to reward above the object I want them on. Once they're actually putting both paws on I'll reward while they're on it and then rapid fire click/treat several times while they're still on it. Then I'll throw one off to reset the game.

This.. if you watch the perch video Taqroy just posted it shows a good use of reward placement. Above the object, several rewards once the dog is on it and then toss a treat to reset the dog.

ETA: Of course she's asking the dog it get all 4 paws on the perch, but the idea is the same for 2 paws.

Sekah · #**347** 08-14-2012, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Picklepaige

Any critiques? I am really new at this, so help is appreciated

I would want to see faster, more energized repetitions. If you can, I would use bite sized soft treats that the dog can eat quickly and then move on. It's a more economical use of time, especially when you're working with a dog who doesn't have much endurance for training.

Reward in place. As mentioned above, the placement of reward goes a long way to communicating to the dog what you want (and what behaviour it is exactly which is paying out via treats). If your pup holds a paw on the book for more than a second I would jackpot and reward with a string of small rewards as long as that paw stays in place. After 3-10 rewards (depending on the size of the jackpot) just release and/or lure the dog off and start over again.

Some purists would disagree, but I find some dogs do better when you're cheerleading them a bit. Feel free to chat in a happy upbeat voice while working with your dog. It helps keep them engaged and interested in the work.

Good luck! And good work thus far. I looooooove perch work.