We are back to clicking for treats again. Since I didn’t find the time to finish the book and we haven’t gotten to the ‘stays’, I decided to try to teach Delilah the ‘high-five’ command.
To start with I am trying to get Delilah to look at my hand, if she does then I click and treat. I will eventually work her up to ‘high-fiveing’ my hand with her paw.
We started out on the edge of the kitchen which is normally where I want her to stay when I am working in there. I had the container of green beans on the counter, a handful of green beans and the clicker in my left hand and I had my right hand palm open at about chest level. Remember my goal here is to get her to look at my right hand.
Sampson meanwhile was lying on the floor waiting for his turn.
When you are trying to ‘shape’ a new behavior, initially you will click and treat for the slightest acknowledgement (meaning if she even shifts her eyes to my right hand I will click and treat.) Delilah was so focused on my left hand with the food, that she was having trouble even glancing at my right hand.
I decided a change in tactic was necessary, I moved my right hand down to waist level and wiggled my fingers to try to direct her attention. She remained focused on my left hand.
At this point Sampson decided to take over the training, he sat up and high-fived my hand with his left paw; as if to say, “This is what she wants you to do, watch and learn girl.”
“Good Boy!” Click and treat.
Then the lightbulb came on in Delilah’s brain and she went immediately to raising her paw and tapping my hand.
There is no better teacher than an old dog. 🙂
This is how it's done Delilah.
She is so cute!
I think so, he is a good dog. And catches on rather quickly too. 😉
haha, the dog is smart, I like it!! I had a dog when I was young, and I taught her many things, she finally knew to take shoes for us when my family home!! it is amazing, isn’t it?! I miss my dog!!
That is too cute. I wonder what else Sampson can help teach Delilah? 🙂
God I wish!!
Way to Sam!!
He’s good!!
Good boy, Sampson! I love that she was able to watch what he did, saw he got a treat for it, and then duplicate the behaviour herself. That’s pretty high-level thinking!
Me too Kristine, I just wish she would mimic him in other ways….like patiently waiting for food, and sticking close when walking…..LOL
That is the cutest picture. I have to get a clicker one of these days…
At the very least, it is something different for the dogs.
That’s so cute, what a great picture. Can’t believe they work for green beans!
I think trick training is one of the great underappreciated dog training tools, with so many side benefits for solidifying the relationship, for confidence building, for making a dog more motivated to learn.
http://peacefuldog.blogspot.com/2011/07/basic-class-at-shelter.html
That is my goal!! To solidify our relationship so she does what I ask.
Love the picture! You are so right about the old dog teaching the new dog.
Two years ago when I started doing retriever training with Cheyenne it was moving very slow, well lets face it, not moving at all until one day when our trainers decided to bring their old gal out to show Cheyenne how it is done. At that moment the same thing happened with Cheyenne as with Delilah, “The light came on”.
Canine intelligence never ceases to amaze me!
They are extremely smart, I cannot believe the people who tell me they have stupid dogs. Normally I say, there are no stupid dogs, just stupid trainers. LOL
I must find out how you taught Cheyenne retrieving.
that’s awesome, he taught her 😛
Hopefully Gwynn will teach potential-far-in-the-future-second-dog the same way 🙂
I hope Gwynn is a dog model. He is smart and I’m sure the FITF dog will be too!
My old dog, Hef, helped Foxy when i was training her to ring a bell on the door to let us know she had to go outside! I’m still so grateful for that!
When we moved we stopped the bell. I need to get that bell out again! Way to go Hef!!
Nautica was clicker trained…in the begining but for her positive reinforcment and hugs worked better. She can give a “high ten” :), I signed up for puppy school with Harvey already, since I havnt met him yet I have no clue what his motivation will be
That is smart on your part, I cannot wait to see pictures of Harvey and hear how Nautica adjusts to him.
I think treats are definitely what works for my guys.