12 Weeks - Training

Brown Noser

I had an epiphany this week.  I realized I use the clicker to mark positions too much rather than movement.  As a result, my greyhounds tend to default into sits, downs, and even stand stays when they are confused or do not know what they should offer.  It drives me crazy because it makes them get stuck.

I am not sure why this jumped out at me with Maddie, but I felt like she was stuck and needed to be unstuck.  So this week, I did not use the clicker for any obedience work.

Instead, we worked on free shaping.  I would give her an object such as a lid, a block, box, or a balance disc and I would click and treat her interactions with the object.  Anything to get her to offer movement.  Here is some of that.

We also worked a lot with toys.  I want her to go after "dead" toys or toys that are not moving.  I want her to let go when I ask.  And I want her to tug when I offer.

It will be interesting to see if I am able to use the toys in training and as a reward at times in the future.  Here is a video of some of her toy work.  She is tugging really well and reluctant to give it up which I think is a good sign.

All in all, I think Maddie is doing great at 12 weeks.