Fun with shaping!

[Labradorks]

I did search it, but I'm still not sure I understand what it is. I mean, lots of websites, but I'm a bit confused (I'm a researcher by profession, and tend not to really trust websites as good sources of information). What I can find makes it seem strangely arbitrary, which I am sure it is not.

Any good books about this that can be recommended?

There are lots of good sources for this online. Also google 101 Things to Do With a Box. I learned shaping techniques from my trainer vs a book.

[Snowshoe]

If you google Karen Pryor and Shaping together you will get some good, trustworthy information.

I tried the box. That's when the bad part of allowing Oban to play with boxes became apparent. LOL I suppose I could have waited him out but what can you do with a destroyed, slobbery box that is in bits and pieces about your living room and some of which will appear in the next day's bathroom outing?

[greenfreak]

Thank you for the suggestion, we always try to do more training in the winter months to keep their minds occupied!

So much fun!

I also like teaching touch with blue painter's tape! It's great for go outs and for teaching to close drawers, cupboards and doors and whatever else is along those lines.

Awesome! I taught touch with our first dog because he wouldn't tell us when he wanted to go out. So we put bells around the doorknob and had him ring them when he needed to go potty. We created a nightmare though because he started to just ring the bells to get us to come to him, get all excited that we were there, and then refuse to go outside.

I never thought of painters tape, that's a great idea.

[Abulafia]

Hm. Ok, this is clicker training. We haven't really done that. Thought we would, but it seemed that that was based on really food motivated dogs and (believe it or not) she isn't. I mean, she eats heartily (3 cups, 2x a day), but doesn't beg, doesn't seek treats outside of training.

But this looks interesting. I'll try to read more about it. Thanks for the tips.

[Labradorks]

Hm. Ok, this is clicker training. We haven't really done that. Thought we would, but it seemed that that was based on really food motivated dogs and (believe it or not) she isn't. I mean, she eats heartily (3 cups, 2x a day), but doesn't beg, doesn't seek treats outside of training.

But this looks interesting. I'll try to read more about it. Thanks for the tips.

If she likes her meals, you can use that for training!

[Jeff]

I would recommend this book.

The author is who I learned shaping from. She is one of the main trainers at dog scouts. She covers clicking and shaping and training in this book.
The Evolution of Charlie Darwin: Partner With Your Dog Using Positive Training: Beth Duman CPDT: 9781461153894: Amazon.com: Books

[Abulafia]

Many thanks—will look for that.