Teaching a dog to think

[pammyd]

Ben is getting on really well and knows a whole load of commands now

He also loves to learn, comes running when I get the clicker out - and you can really see when he understands what has been asked of him like a click in the head 'oh thats what you wanted' and then he remembers every time how to do it

The problem I have is all the things in the book with the clicker to teach were with me luring him with treats

so he just waits till I show him what to do

he can do lots of tricks and knows them with hand signals and words not the lure now

but something where I cant lure him he does not get

been trying to give a paw since he learnt to sit (months ago) if you tickle his leg he will lift the paw - but you can just tell that he dosnt get why he is doing that so he still wont offer the paw on his own

His puppy trainer said if you hold a yummy treat at his nose he will eventually lift his paw to get it - nope he sits and waits, gets frustrated cos he dosent understand and barks and then eventually wonders off

 

I like the idea of him offering behaviours to get the click - but how do I train him to do that? (I know its prob my fault in the first place for luring him to everything to start with)

 

Also I read a lot about 'shaping tricks' with the clicker - whats that all about

 

He seems so smart, its just me who dosent know how to train him properly!

 

off to buy more training books today - but most of them seem to be 'how to get your dog to sit' and other basic things - none to teach him (and me) how to think

and anyways you guys have far more experience than any book!

Thanks

[berocca]

Basically with shaping you can just watch the dog go about its normal play and click as soon as you see it do something you like. Wait while he plays again and as soon as he repeats the behaviour you click again. He will start to work out what it is that gets him the click and begin to offer that behaviour. Then you can get picky and only click as he does it slightly more precise until it has to be perfect before you click. You can then start to add a cue to it so that you can request it later. There is a game you can play called "101 things to do with a ___" which kinda uses this principle. For example, put a soda can in the middle of the floor and watch what he does. Click him every time he does something different (look at it, sniff it, lick it, touch it, hit it with his paw, nudge it, tread on it, etc) You can then choose one and refine it eg. he has to nudge it further and further each time until he is sending it across the room. Or has to use his nose to get it to stand upright. Use your imagination (like the name says, there are a hundred things to do).

 

To teach a specific skill, such as giving a paw, you just need to take baby steps. So, first of all he gets a click if he moves that paw (even if he is just repositioning himself or starting to stand up). Repeat this a few times until he works out that it has something to do with that paw. Then, dont click for that little movement. He will get frustrated and exaggerate it for you (which gets the click). After a few times at that amount stop clicking until he exaggerates it again. Gradually make him offer more and more until he is doing it exactly how you would like. Then start saying "paw" or "wave" or "shake" or whatever it is you want as a cue word when you want him to do it. He will make the connection between the behaviour and the word before long.

[bc4pack]

How about perusing articles on http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/index.htm

[Guest WoobiesMom]

Clicker training is so much fun! Good for you for putting in the effort and working so well with your dog!

 

I've read that a great way to train "paw" or "shake" is to put a treat in your closed fist. The dog can sniff around and know that there's something in there. Then when he puts his paw up on your fist to try to get it open, spring your hand open and let him get the treat. Then start to use the word paw or shake or whatever word you want to choose.

 

I've taught Woobie paw for his left and other paw for his right paw. He's so smart!

[bettilu]

Clicker training is so much fun! Good for you for putting in the effort and working so well with your dog!

 

I've read that a great way to train "paw" or "shake" is to put a treat in your closed fist. The dog can sniff around and know that there's something in there. Then when he puts his paw up on your fist to try to get it open, spring your hand open and let him get the treat. Then start to use the word paw or shake or whatever word you want to choose.

 

I've taught Woobie paw for his left and other paw for his right paw. He's so smart!

 

 

I can't really remember how I taught Bo, but he is always using his paws, so maybe that made it easy for him....he also can do both paws (I say give "other" paw too). Sounds like the treat in the hand thing is a good idea.

[OurBoys]

The way I taught JJ the difference in his left and right was to pet or rub them while he was laying down. Anytime I found him laying down, I would just sit next to him and as I was petting/rubbing his right leg, I would repeat 'right', 'right', etc. Once he learned his right, I did the same thing with his left. I might be wrong but I feel because it was a relaxing situation, he was able to concentrate better. And he didn't get any treats for it until I incorporated it into his 'command time'.

 

Once he learned his left from his right, I changed the 'name'. "Give me left" is also "Say Hello". "Give me right" is "Say Thank You".

[Bordercentrics]

You've gotten good advice on teaching with the clicker, so just a comment that I didn't notice from anyone else. You asked how to teach your dog to offer behaviors. You can't. The term "offering behaviors" is used to describe a dog doing things for you on his own, without being cued, on speculation that he will get a treat because he gets one for the behavior when you ask for it. Your dog will begin to "offer behaviors" on his own at some point. The thing is, you don't treat them when they do that, only when you ask for the behavior ahead of time! You can certainly ask for a different behavior and click and treat for THAT behavior. It is really cute when they do it. I usually laugh and tell my dogs that I didn't ask them to do that. They do need to learn that they are being rewarded for doing what you ask, not just for their innate ability to do it.

 

Kathy Robbins

[Root Beer]

Your dog will begin to "offer behaviors" on his own at some point. The thing is, you don't treat them when they do that, only when you ask for the behavior ahead of time! You can certainly ask for a different behavior and click and treat for THAT behavior. It is really cute when they do it. I usually laugh and tell my dogs that I didn't ask them to do that. They do need to learn that they are being rewarded for doing what you ask, not just for their innate ability to do it.

 

Kathy Robbins

 

Actually, this would usually be a later step in the process if you want to use free shaping with the clicker.

 

For free shaping, one actually does click and treat for whatever the dog offers without any prompting and then, once the dog gets the idea that it is rewarding to try different things, he or she would choose one behavior and click and treat only for that.

 

So, when I started shaping, I started with the "click for anything" game. It's literally what the title says - I clicked and treated any and every movement - movement, ear flicks, tail wags, sits, glances in different directions, etc.

 

Once the dog got comfortable with that, I chose a behavior to shape. I always start with "back up" because it's useful and it's easy to shape.

 

I start by just watching the dog's back leg and said nothing! I just waited. The dog would offer sit, down, etc., but would get no click and treat. If I saw the back leg move even the teeniest bit, click and treat. After doing this a few times in very short sessions, the dog started to "offer" the back up.

 

The next step after that was to attach the word to it. Once I had done that, then it was time to click and treat only when the dog responded to the cue correctly.

 

I actually do cue differentiation as a very late step in the whole clicker training process, whether I am using free shaping or I incorporate luring into the process.

 

I find that both of these steps - the initial "click for anything/shaping" process and cue differentiation are fantastic ways to get a dog thinking.

[SoloRiver]

A classic shaping game is "101 Things to do with a Box." There are various versions of this but all involve introducing a novel object that the dog is likely to investigate, and then shaping some behavior related to the object.

 

http://www.clickertraining.com/node/167

 

http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2001/box.htm

 

http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/archives/box.txt

 

There are tons of great game/training ideas on all three websites above; I've been going back to them now that Solo is limited in the amount of outdoor activity he can/should have (arthritis) and we are placing a greater premium on keeping his mind exercised to prevent boredom. Happy Solo!

 

When Solo and I first did "101 Things to do With a Box" I ended up shaping him to put his head in the box and leave it in there. His cue for that became, "What's in the box, man? What's in the box?" which is only funny if you remember the last scene from the movie Seven.

[pammyd]

Cheers for all the advice guys

I tried again for his paw - put the treat by his nose - then lifted it a bit higher (mum taught him to beg) but off to the right then clicked as soon as the left paw left the ground (he does not try to paw - too polite just waits to see what I am asking him to do before giving him the click)

But the wee swine does know what I want cos he really sllooooowwley extended his paw out like how I have been asking for it

So I guess it is just going to take a bit more time then he will do it properly (then I can have all the fun with the other foot!)

 

great links too- I am working my way thro them

Tried the 101 things to do with a box cos I found it the other night online - ben sat at my feet, stared at me, barked and then lay down - no interest at trying other things when I am anywhere near the clicker he is just waiting for me to tell him what to do

 

but I got mary rays book today and she suggested lobbing treats about and keeping the dog on the move - at least he was moving - and for a puppy he is a bit to back end aware - 90% of the time he neatly stepped over the mat I was using - did his best not to touch it at all

But its a real good book - showed me where I was going wrong with leg weaves - he is almost there with them

 

so luring tricks super fast - anything else taking looong time (and I have so many things in mind he can do once he gets them paws off the floor!!)

 

and glad to hear that I am not doing anything too wrong - the offereing behavior is something tht would be nice (and I am sure I will get it one day) but if he dosent do it then luring and stuff is OK too

 

Again thanks loads tho - its a big help

[Criosdaidh]

When training Achilles to shake I would have him sit first. Then I'd say "shake" and pick his paw up with my hand and shake it like a hand shake. Eventually after I would say "shake" he'd anticipate that I was going to pick up his paw and he'd lift it up. When he cooperated like this I would give him a treat. When he didn't meet me half way no treat.

[Tassie]

but I got mary rays book today and she suggested lobbing treats about and keeping the dog on the move - at least he was moving - and for a puppy he is a bit to back end aware - 90% of the time he neatly stepped over the mat I was using - did his best not to touch it at all

But its a real good book - showed me where I was going wrong with leg weaves - he is almost there with them

 

Glad you've got Mary's book - her DVDs and videos are great too. She's coming over to Australia again for a 6 day dog training camp - I went last year, and I'm going again this year - great fun, and Mary is inspirational.

 

Last year she told us how she now does her 'free time' as she calls her little shaping sessions, with her in different positions. She used to do it just sitting in a chair. Now she sometimes does it lying down, sometimes standing up. she said she finds dogs will offer different behaviours then.

 

Mary's 'free time' is shaping in a way - but a little less structured, as she doesn't necessarily set out to shape a particular behaviour - she'll decide on something that the pup has actually offered - think "that's cute, I could use that ...." and go from there.

 

Clicker + treats + dog = lots of fun. And the good thing - the more they learn, the more they can offer and learn. I bet Solo is really enjoying his mental workouts with Melanie.

[pammyd]

Oh lucky you - I am really hoping I can get the money together next year to go to one of marys camps in the UK

I am going to get a hold of some dvds too - am am really interested in the heelwork to music (if ben is up for it) and there are pretty much no classes up here I can find