FUN TRICKS
This fun and challenging 6 week course covers crowd pleasers like "spin," "high five," "dance," "rollover" and jumping through hoops and is open to dogs 6 months and older. You and your dog can enjoy inventing flashy tricks after you master show business training techniques such as luring and free shaping. Trick training is a great way for both you and your dog to hone your training skills, and build your relationship. And impress your friends! This is a very clicker friendly class.Your dog must already know 'Sit' or 'Down' in order to join.
(See below for sample week one class exercises and homework.)
(See below for sample week one class exercises and homework.)
Sample Week One Class Excercises and Homework
Introduction to Tricks
We will use 4 techniques to teach our dogs new tricks in this course. You will learn how to use Luring, Targeting, Shaping and Capturing to quickly train reliable tricks that your dog will enjoy performing. Discover which technique works best for you & your dog and you will become a trick training team!
We will use 4 techniques to teach our dogs new tricks in this course. You will learn how to use Luring, Targeting, Shaping and Capturing to quickly train reliable tricks that your dog will enjoy performing. Discover which technique works best for you & your dog and you will become a trick training team!
Luring
This is a technique most of you are familiar with using to train your dog. You can use luring to teach your dog new tricks.
You can train a trick by using a treat lure right in front of your dog's nose to lure her into the correct position. The moment your dog is in the correct position, or does the desired behavior, you can let her know by marking the desired behavior with a "yes" or a click. Then follow this quickly with a tiny treat reward.
After your dog does the trick successfully every time you try with a lure, you will fade out the treat lure and use a hand signal that looks like the lure. After your dog is doing the behavior successfully when you use the hand signal you can add a verbal cue (and stop doing the hand signal, if you'd like).
You can fade out the treat reward by initially marking and rewarding each cued behavior, and then progressing to marking and rewarding every few cued behaviors. Then, eventually, mark and reward randomly.
"Spin" with a Lure
This is a technique most of you are familiar with using to train your dog. You can use luring to teach your dog new tricks.
You can train a trick by using a treat lure right in front of your dog's nose to lure her into the correct position. The moment your dog is in the correct position, or does the desired behavior, you can let her know by marking the desired behavior with a "yes" or a click. Then follow this quickly with a tiny treat reward.
After your dog does the trick successfully every time you try with a lure, you will fade out the treat lure and use a hand signal that looks like the lure. After your dog is doing the behavior successfully when you use the hand signal you can add a verbal cue (and stop doing the hand signal, if you'd like).
You can fade out the treat reward by initially marking and rewarding each cued behavior, and then progressing to marking and rewarding every few cued behaviors. Then, eventually, mark and reward randomly.
"Spin" with a Lure
- Stand in front of your seated or standing dog. Use a treat lure in front of your dog's nose and lure your dog around in a half circle. Mark and reward. Repeat.
- After your dog is very good at following the lure for a half circle...try a full circle. Mark and reward. Repeat for several brief training sessions.
- Then try to lure your dog with and empty hand and mark and jackpot - reward with the other hand. Repeat for several brief training sessions.
- Try to refine the empty lure hand into a simple hand signal. Mark and reward.
- When your dog spins for a hand signal you can add a verbal cue, such as "turn," or "spin," right before you give the hand signal. You can fade out or keep the hand signal. Now you can train your dog to spin to the other side. You can use another verbal cue for the second spin to the other side.
- Put your dog on variable and then random schedule of rewards.
Targeting
Targeting is a training technique that works by teaching your dog to touch a hand, a target stick, or a movable target, like a post-it. You probably already have worked with the hand target to get your dog to come when called, walk by your side, etc. A target stick is a dowel or wand that your dog can target with her nose. You can use a target stick in much the same way as the hand target. The target stick is especially useful for training small dogs while you remain standing up. If you want to try the target stick you can put a tiny bit of peanut butter or cheese at the tip of the target stick. You can click or say "yes," when your dog nudges or licks the stick. Then give her a tiny treat. If your don't put food on the stick you can mark and reward your dog for looking at, moving toward, or touching the target stick. After your dog touches the stick every time you present it you can put it on cue with "touch," or "target." You can use this tool to teach your dog to spin, jump up on a chair, etc.
You can also use a movable target spot, such as a post-it, to teach your dog to target different objects. Place the post it on a wall, floor, piece of furniture, etc. You can train your dog to touch it using the same steps you used to teach your dog to hand target. After your dog knows how to use this target you can place the post-it on a bell, for example, to get her to "ring" it...or on the floor for a "where is the floor?" trick.
Targeting is a training technique that works by teaching your dog to touch a hand, a target stick, or a movable target, like a post-it. You probably already have worked with the hand target to get your dog to come when called, walk by your side, etc. A target stick is a dowel or wand that your dog can target with her nose. You can use a target stick in much the same way as the hand target. The target stick is especially useful for training small dogs while you remain standing up. If you want to try the target stick you can put a tiny bit of peanut butter or cheese at the tip of the target stick. You can click or say "yes," when your dog nudges or licks the stick. Then give her a tiny treat. If your don't put food on the stick you can mark and reward your dog for looking at, moving toward, or touching the target stick. After your dog touches the stick every time you present it you can put it on cue with "touch," or "target." You can use this tool to teach your dog to spin, jump up on a chair, etc.
You can also use a movable target spot, such as a post-it, to teach your dog to target different objects. Place the post it on a wall, floor, piece of furniture, etc. You can train your dog to touch it using the same steps you used to teach your dog to hand target. After your dog knows how to use this target you can place the post-it on a bell, for example, to get her to "ring" it...or on the floor for a "where is the floor?" trick.
Shaping
Shaping is a training method that works by breaking a behavior down into easily achievable steps. If your dog cannot easily complete a trick you can train your dog to do small parts of the trick. You can decide to teach your dog how to do a trick by beginning to mark and reward any move in the direction of the trick. You mark and reward each succeessive step towards the completed trick. After your dog has mastered one step of a trick you put her on a random schedule of rewards and then move on to the next step.
Shaping a "Spin" with a hand target or a target stick
If your dog loves to hand target (or loves the target stick) you may be able to skip several of these steps and simply move your target-ready hand in a circle around your dog.
Shaping is a training method that works by breaking a behavior down into easily achievable steps. If your dog cannot easily complete a trick you can train your dog to do small parts of the trick. You can decide to teach your dog how to do a trick by beginning to mark and reward any move in the direction of the trick. You mark and reward each succeessive step towards the completed trick. After your dog has mastered one step of a trick you put her on a random schedule of rewards and then move on to the next step.
Shaping a "Spin" with a hand target or a target stick
If your dog loves to hand target (or loves the target stick) you may be able to skip several of these steps and simply move your target-ready hand in a circle around your dog.
- Stand in front of your seated or standing dog. Place your hand (or target stick) a foot or so to the side of your dog's head. Mark and reward your dog for targeting your hand and moving in a quarter circle. Repeat.
- Once your dog begins practicing and is good at this you can: mark and reward your dog for the quarter circle target and then present your hand to target at the half circle point (roughly behind where your dog began the Spin).
- Once your dog is expertly doing a half turn you can try to fade out the quarter turn hand target. Stand in front of your dog and move your hand in a half circle behind her. Mark and reward with a jackpot when your dog touches your hand and completes the half circle. Repeat for several training sessions.
- Practice a few half turns. When your dog is in the half turn position move your hand ir target stick back to the beginning of the circle. Mark and reward for the final target. Try to use a hand target at the half circle and the end of the circle. Mark and reward for both targets. Repeat for one or two practice sessions.
- Once your dog is successfully doing a full turn you can fade out the hand target at the half circle point. Do a few reps following the directions in Step 4. Then try a rep without the hand target at the half point. Stand in front of your dog and move your target hand or target stick in a circle around your dog. Mark and reward with a super special jackpot when your dog turns in a circle to target your hand. If your dog is not ready for this repeat Step 4 several times and try again.
- Stand in front of your dog and move your target hand or target stick in a circle around your dog. Mark and reward. Once your dog is very good at this you can add a verbal cue right before you present your target hand or stick. Mark and reward.
- Repeat step 6. Try a few reps with the verbal cue without the target (or with a refined hand signal or brief point of the target stick). Mark and Jackpot any turns without the target. After your dog is very good at this try marking and rewarding every second or third turn. After your dog is very good at this you can then mark and reward at random reps.
- Stand in front of your dog and use the verbal cue "spin," "dance," etc. Mark and jackpot your dog for turning without the target. Practice this for a few training sessions before beginning to fade out the treat reward and putting your dog on a random schedule of rewards.
Capturing
Capturing is a training technique that does not require a lure, target or prompt. (We will work briefly with prompts next week).
Capturing works best with a clicker in order to "catch" the moment your dog does the correct behavior. Capturing is simply waiting for your dog to do a behavior and marking and rewarding it. You can add a cue once your dog is consistently offering the behavior. You can put your dog on a random schedule of rewards once she is proficient at the behavior.
I love capturing all sorts of behaviors. When using this technique you will not have to fade out a treat lure or a target. You simply mark and reward your dog for doing a behavior that has gone unrecognized. Dogs love this technique because they enjoy getting marked and rewarded for doing a behavior that comes naturally.
Does your dog play bow when you make a funny voice? Mark and reward the play bow and then put it on cue.
Does your dog rollover each time you sit on the floor? Mark and reward and put it on cue.
Does your dog tilt her head when you ask a question? Mark and reward and put it on cue.
This is a great way to invent unique tricks for your dog.
Capturing the Spin
Homework: Work on the spin this week. By next week in class your dog should spin for a lure or target.
Extra Credit: Train your dog to spin on cue (fade out lure or target).
Super Extra Credit: Work on beginning to use capturing a trick you think your dog will be good for you.
Capturing is a training technique that does not require a lure, target or prompt. (We will work briefly with prompts next week).
Capturing works best with a clicker in order to "catch" the moment your dog does the correct behavior. Capturing is simply waiting for your dog to do a behavior and marking and rewarding it. You can add a cue once your dog is consistently offering the behavior. You can put your dog on a random schedule of rewards once she is proficient at the behavior.
I love capturing all sorts of behaviors. When using this technique you will not have to fade out a treat lure or a target. You simply mark and reward your dog for doing a behavior that has gone unrecognized. Dogs love this technique because they enjoy getting marked and rewarded for doing a behavior that comes naturally.
Does your dog play bow when you make a funny voice? Mark and reward the play bow and then put it on cue.
Does your dog rollover each time you sit on the floor? Mark and reward and put it on cue.
Does your dog tilt her head when you ask a question? Mark and reward and put it on cue.
This is a great way to invent unique tricks for your dog.
Capturing the Spin
- This will work if your dog spin when she is excited. You can stand in front of her with your treat bag (or toy- whatever generally elicits the spin) and mark and reward each time she spins.
- Repeat for several training sessions. When your dog is offering the spin each time you begin a training session you can add a verbal cue. Mark and jackpot when your dog does the behavior on cue. Ignore un-cued spins.
- When your dog is consistently spinning on cue you can begin to put her on a random schedule of rewards.
- Try training the spin to the other direction the same way. You may find that you need to use a lure or a target for a few reps to get your dog excited about spinning in the opposite direction.
Homework: Work on the spin this week. By next week in class your dog should spin for a lure or target.
Extra Credit: Train your dog to spin on cue (fade out lure or target).
Super Extra Credit: Work on beginning to use capturing a trick you think your dog will be good for you.