In answer to your questions, I should back up a second and describe Louis.
He is a very thoughtful guy. Thinks before he acts. I have rewarded him heavily for calm quiet behavior. In the past, me sitting quietly means I want him to sit or lay down calmly and wait.
Now, I am wanting him to offer behaviors. Paw movement, head movement, whatever. It's not his default, and he's been heavily rewarded for NOT doing that.
What tends to happen in our sessions is that he doesn't offer much for me to click, so our rate of reinforcement is low.Trying to increase it, I end up clicking for a lot of "posing". If he doesn't get it, he pauses and thinks, and looks at me for direction. If I don't give it to him, he lays down (which is what I've always asked of him. Gah).
BUT. By opening up the space a lot, I was able to create an easier environment for him to move. I was able to place the chair further away, and drop treats right in front of myself which was further from the chair, all of which required a lot more movement. And in that 3 minute session, he made more connections than he had in the 6 sessions prior.
Feeling more optimistic!!