Day SEVENTEEN-21 Day Positive Training Kickstart Challenge

Today we’ll be talking logistics. We’ll break down how to actually train a behavior using positive reinforcement & what the whole process looks like.

There are two ways to begin when training a dog to “sit.” One is that we can “capture” the behavior & the second is that we can “shape” the behavior.

We’ll discuss capturing it as it is a behavior that dogs often might do & this allows us to catch them doing it.

We will begin by standing near our dog. The moment the dog sits we will use a marker (clicker for our explanation) & then reinforce with a tiny bit (as in pea sized) of something tasty.

Then, take a step back. Your dog will likely follow you & if you just be patient & wait (jumping up earns nothing..just turn & then turn back, but ignore) he will probably sit again. Once more just as he is sitting, click & then treat. Repeat the back up, again, just one or two steps & stand still & wait for your dog to figure it out. Then again, when he sits, be sure to mark & reinforce!

ACTION: Let’s try it! Gather your dog in a safe, quiet, and low distraction area with some tiny (precut) REALLY tasty (in the dog’s opinion, not yours) bits of something yummy & a clicker (you may also use a verbal marker, like “yessss” or “goood!”).

Be patient. Wait for a sit & then mark & reinforce! Back up & see if your dog sits again. Mark & reinforce. Try to do it many times-keep up the great work!

Zoro is our latest foster pup (He’s looking for his forever family!). We picked him up late on Thursday evening & since Friday until this morning he’s had about six seasons of around five minutes each.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a40PX-J9oC4

Zoro already knows how to sit, lie down, hand target, & follow a moving target (for a spin). He’s working on recognizing his name, a recall, & an interrupter noise (handy if you would like to get a puppy’s attention). Zoro is also well on his way towards being house trained!

With positive reinforcement, communication is clear & learning is fun! Contact PAW today if you would like to begin learning with your companion animal!

Day SIXTEEN-21 Day Positive Training Kickstart Challenge

Would you prefer to have me reward you every time that you do something correctly or wait until you do something wrong & then punish you? This is basically the difference between positive reinforcement vs. other training ideas.

Learners who are encouraged when they do things right want to think up new ways to do the right things! They get creative in exploring & guessing just what things might earn them good behavior rewards.

The flip side of this coin is when learners are corrected for doing things wrong. Not only is this approach disheartening (imagine only getting attention when you make a mistake & then are punished for it), but it discourages all learners from trying & encourages apathy towards learning.

Instead of waiting around for errors, try to catch your dog/parrot/horse doing some behavior that you can reinforce! Help them “learn to earn” & build confidence & eager learners!

ACTION: Watch for a learner in your house (can be your dog, a child, a spouse, another animal) doing something that you like & then praise/reward/reinforce this behavior. Try to do this three times & watch the reaction of the learner!