Okay, here is the first training plan for 52 Weeks. Crossed Paws!
Dan and I are at step 5 right now, hopefully will get through 6 and begin 7 today.
Goal: When cued to “cross” Dan will cross one paw over the other in a down position.
Shaping steps:
- Click/Treat any paw movement from a down position.
- Paw movement from one paw only; ignore movement from the other paw.
- Place a target just in front of the moving paw. Click/treat for touching the target with a paw (ignore touches from other paw or nose touches).
- Begin to move the target a little, just an inch or so toward the stationary paw. C/T for target touches.
- Put the target on top of or on the other side of the stationary paw (you may need to experiment to see how far you can move the target each time for your dog). Work up to placing the target on the other side of the stationary paw. C/T for target touches with the moving paw.
- Now your dog should be crossing his paws to touch the target! Begin to add a little duration. Count to 3 before you C/T.
- Take away the target and wait. You may have to go back to C/T for an approximation of the paw cross, but your dog should offer it (be patient!).
- When your dog is offering the paw cross on his own without the target and can hold the position for 3 seconds, you are ready to add the cue. (See Handout, “Adding a Cue to Any Behavior”)
- You did it! To make the behavior stronger, work on generalizing (location) and adding distractions
- Practice in 3 different locations.
- Practice with 3 different distractions.