Dale started Target L2 by capturing Landry putting his paws up on the tailgate of his truck. And on the gate at home.
We continued training it at Tidelands Park on Wednesday, again on the tailgate of Dale's truck. A third location, still outside, with different distractions. We captured the moment, even though we were not controlling our Setting Factors, Landry was truly in the game.....so we trained.
Today in my house, I encouraged Landry to volunteer the behavior by standing about 2' from the downstairs dog crate, facing it.
First Landry tried jumping ON the crate. Then he thought it over and began volunteering it. Then things got interesting. Shayla joined us to share in the treats. And then Lily arrived. They didn't deter LM, however. He knew what he was getting paid to do and didn't let anyone get in his way.
What a hoot!
We'll begin adding the verbal cue soon. Capturing this behavior instead of teaching it using the "touch hand" as a lure, leaves both Dale and me just standing quietly waiting for Landry Man to figure it ALL out on his own.......and, as you saw above, sometimes from a distance and sometimes moving around obstacles (like Lily) to get there. There's a word for that. Tenacity.
During the training above, at a later session (moments later, but w/o the Flip) Landry couldn't fit on the dog crate because Lily was already there, so he just did Paws Up ON THE WALL. Solidly. No slipping, sliding or scratching! This boy has potential. I think you should keep him, Dale!
VEry cool! Capturing is probably my most favorite way to teach, because as you said it takes tenacity and many other potential behaviors are a part of it, like going around Lily so that these things generalize and the dog doesn't even feel the least bit of stress while figuring it out it just comes naturally! Those other behaviors may not be needed at the time or be being rewarded in that moment but you can also file away in your mind when you saw certain behaviors as by product of what you are capturing now. Then at a later time set the dog up to capture one of those b"by products" by well timing your clicks to capture that new behavior! So much fun s little time!
ReplyDelete