CrisM
Well-Known Member
I successfully captured the play bow by clicking and treating whenever Valentine naturally did it and now I can get her to do it whenever I ask. The behavior got really solid when I would ask for bows during fetch. I would have her bow before I threw the ball each time. Fetch is very reinforcing for her.
Okay, so now I'm trying to get her to Shake Off and she does it so very rarely that it's not sinking in for her. I click each time, name it, and give her treats or throw a ball for her, but that might only be twice a day. We've been at this for over two weeks and she just has no idea what I want if I ask for it.
Because I'm a maniac, I've tried messing up her fur to see if she'll shake it out (no such luck), tried rubbing her ears with my thumb and forefinger because that will sometimes get a head shake, and tried gently blowing on her. When any of these things actually produce even the slightest shake, I click, name it, and reward. I kind of feel like a meanie for doing those things, though, because I know she doesn't love them. They sort of annoy her. And she doesn't seem to be catching on anyway, because they only produce and additional one or two minor shakes.
I'm wondering if you have tried to capture a behavior that is rare and how long it took your dog to get it. Valentine is so smart and she gets tricks so fast that I guess I'm getting a little impatient to see results. Nothing has ever taken this long! Is there something else I should be doing?
Okay, so now I'm trying to get her to Shake Off and she does it so very rarely that it's not sinking in for her. I click each time, name it, and give her treats or throw a ball for her, but that might only be twice a day. We've been at this for over two weeks and she just has no idea what I want if I ask for it.
Because I'm a maniac, I've tried messing up her fur to see if she'll shake it out (no such luck), tried rubbing her ears with my thumb and forefinger because that will sometimes get a head shake, and tried gently blowing on her. When any of these things actually produce even the slightest shake, I click, name it, and reward. I kind of feel like a meanie for doing those things, though, because I know she doesn't love them. They sort of annoy her. And she doesn't seem to be catching on anyway, because they only produce and additional one or two minor shakes.
I'm wondering if you have tried to capture a behavior that is rare and how long it took your dog to get it. Valentine is so smart and she gets tricks so fast that I guess I'm getting a little impatient to see results. Nothing has ever taken this long! Is there something else I should be doing?