Tuesday, August 28, 2012

If you like it, name it

I've heard a lot of good advice when it comes to shaping behaviors, and eradicating behaviors. Interestingly, there is some overlap in the Venn diagram of the two.

If you are shaping a behavior, you reward it when you see it, and put a name to the cue.

If you are eradicating a behavior, you can treat it as though you're shaping it. Name it when it happens, and put it on cue. Eventually, said behavior will be offered, or performed on cue, and not at other times.

It might sound kind of weird. I thought so. But it can work!


Want to learn how?



You see, while teaching Elka to heel, or at the very least walk on a loose leash, we ran into a few problems. Pulling is one, sure, and attention. But there was another one: even when she was paying attention, she would get so excited about being on a walk, or the fact I was holding cheese, whatever, and jump. Not on me, mind you, but rear up next to me like she was a horsey.

Frustrating? Yeah, kind of. But it was also kind of adorable, and typically made me laugh. Take note; laughing can be very useful in the dog training process. It helps you be relaxed and happy, and keeps you from taking yourself too seriously.


So what did I do? It's hard to be mad when you're laughing. And I've tried to be pretty committed to not yanking around on Elka's leash. It doesn't work, and then makes me feel like a schmuck.

When Elka reared up, I would say "Elka, are you in the circus?" and give her a treat. This was confusing to her at first. It certainly made her think. There were a few experimental jumps, with the same phrase applied, and the same treat. Then it clicked. Interestingly, my experience to date is she only rears up on-leash when I ask "Elka, are you in the circus?" In the house, I must say "Up" or offer my arm as though she's a parrot.


This would have been the perfect shot of my circus dog, if only I had properly gotten her in the frame!


Yup. Digital camera lag. This one was right after she landed; I pressed the button when she was in the air, I swear!


A little better, though she could be sitting for all you know. A little bit of "walk excitement" foam for decoration. Does your dog do this during exciting exercise?


Still not perfect, but pretty good! I assure you, the paws did not collide with me at any time during this exercise!

Do you have any "problem behaviors" that you dealt with by putting on cue? Do you have any that you'll try this with, after reading this post? Let me know!



25 comments:

  1. Have a great Tuesday and great pic of you Elka.
    Best wishes Molly

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  2. Some great advice! The only thing nearest to this I do with Nanook is always say to him when we're playing tug he's semi-pro, I'm major leagues and he just gets more competitive and funny at trying to win haha!

    When did you start the loose leash training? Nanook is now comfortable on his leash, and getting old enough to be inquisitive and has started pulling!

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    1. Hah, it's funny what we regularly say to our dogs, isn't it? I don't even think about it most of the time, I just talk to Elka!

      I started with loose leash training last year, with the clicker and treats. I do't always use the clicker now, but I still reward on a random schedule.

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  3. We're working hard on teaching a certain German Shepherd to be quiet. We've also been trying to teach the same GSD to bark on command because at some point in his training, he's going to need to do that. However, it's proven a lot more difficult. He only barks in his crate when we tell him to. I think I need to go back and reward him when he is being quiet and see if we can go from there. Puppies! Gah!

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    1. Barking is one of those bizarre things that are wanted and not wanted so situationally, I can't blame dogs for not getting what we're expecting of them!

      I met a friend's dog today who's kind of a nut, and prone to breaking itno telling-off-her-owner barks. It was funny because it wasn't me!

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  4. We've done that - we had a golden who was a terrible digger. Instead of always telling her she was wrong, when she started to dig we'd say "Dig, dig, dig", and then ask her to sit, or heel. Eventually she quit digging and only did it on command.

    Sam

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    1. Ooh, that's good! Digging can be a real problem for a lot of people and their dogs. Digging on command must be fun!

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  5. Ella you got the moves alright. Our mon needs some of your moms patience
    Benny & Lily

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    1. Oh, that patience doesn't come naturally, I assure you!

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  6. That's a pretty great idea! I usually just stand there and wait for Blueberry to settle and remember what the original command was and then I treat her. She loses her frickin mind sometimes when the treats come out (and they aren't even cheese!) and she'll rear up and go through every command she knows (totally ignoring what I originally asked of her) until she finally gets the right one. Being highly food motivated makes her pretty easy to train as long as I stay consistent - but again, while the food is a motivator, at the same time it is also a great distraction.

    Elka, as always, looks absolutely stunning in red! I love that you taught her that trick!

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    1. Hah, I know, sometimes when food appears, the mental disconnect occurs! It can be funny to see all the things they'll try before they remember their brain again.

      Thanks! I do feel that red is Elka's color ^^

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  7. The last one was a great picture! I also liked your bunny ears! Great advice on how to train, but again, my mom is horrible at training...we kinda of train ber!! BOL!!

    ~Higgins

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    1. I do love the bunny ears picture...she looks like she's laughing!

      Oh, I'm sure there are things that Elka has trained me to do as well. It's a two way street!

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  8. hehe mommy tried this. I am much to dense in dah head to gets anything of the sort.

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    1. Aw, Mason...if you're that dense in the head, you must have other strengths! Not everybody needs to know silly tricks ;)

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  9. I try to name everything, so that Daisy gets more language. I think it really helps overall. Instead of saying, "good girl," I say "good upstairs" or "good downstairs" or "good outside". Love the pix!

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    1. We really try to name things as well, and regularly talk to Elka. It isn't just about tone of voice with her, she does recognize words (and I'm sure body language that we don't even know we're giving off)!

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  10. We are going to have to work on Freighter's loose leash heeling when we get him home. So much of his field training is off-lead that I am afraid he has forgotten the loose lead thing. The last time I saw him he pulled for me so that will be our focus.

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    1. I think at certain ages, their brains can only hold so many things that you want. Even if loosh leash was present earlier, the hunting stuff might've crowded it out!

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  11. Digging! Nola used to be a horrible digger (can't blame her though; she IS a Dachshund), so I taught her to dig on command and in the place where I wouldn't break my leg. Worked perfectly
    Nola's Mom

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    1. That's a great idea! I'm glad that Nola is still allowed to dig, because I would guess that instinct is very strong for her! I've heard of terrier and doxie owners having sand boxes and things just for their dogs.

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  12. OMD! Elka is about the cutest circus performer I have ever seen!! Well, Ma says I have ALOT of behaviors that could use some work, so she'll have to think about it. Oh, BTW, I have the exact same EzyDog harness! They're the best!

    Kisses,

    Ruby

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    1. It is a great harness, isn't it? Elka seems to think that it's comfy enough.

      I'd love to see what your Ma comes up with to put on cue for you! Maybe you can take you act on the road.

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  13. Very clever. Honey does a little of this jumpy thing to. I like your solution.

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    1. My main problem with Elka's jumping is that she would jump ON people. The fact that she still jumped in excitement, but not on me, was just so very cute!

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