So now we have a dog which is trained to NT a target with
high degree of motivation. Now we are increasing the distance we need to be
able to reward at a distance as well. The Remote Reward gives us the ability to
do this.
As a start we begin by shaping the use of the reward system.
Then we send dog to NT at a distance, rewarding by activating the reward system
when the criteria is achieved. When the dog is comfortable NT at the distance
with reward, we can begin to fade the remote reward.
Eventually I substituted food for a tuggy. The tuggy being
presented after distance NT had been achieved. Now we have a dog NT at distance
for reward of toy!
Now we have a dog who is motivated to NT a target on the
floor in a static position. We now need to start building independence. The
next stage is designed to start building this by encouraging the dog to start
finding the target and NT to receive reward.
Jaidi showing the long term objective of NT at the end of the contact
Thanks to Marilyn
Murphy for giving me the outline and objectives for this part of the training
:-)
We begin by gradually moving away from the target, roughly
at the rate of 1 pace (distance) a day. This is accomplished by simply dropping
the target and letting the dog move quickly to perform the NT.
Rewarding
When performing the NT in a static position rewarding is
quite straightforward as the treat can be simply placed on the target. As one
moves the target to distance, delivering the reward in a timely fashion at the
point of reward (the target) becomes a challenge.
There are 3 methods one can choose (of course not mutually
exclusive and can be combined).
Follow
dog and place reward at a close distance
Throw
the reward
Use
remote reward equipment
The first is easy to administer, but has the disadvantage of
not keeping distance between you and the dog. The second keeps distance but
relies on a good aim and also means that distance is dictated by accuracy
rather than a desired (distance) objective. The third is the most expensive and
means training the dog to ‘use’ the equipment, but has the advantage of
delivering a reward at distance and at the discretion of the trainer (i.e. when
the criteria has been met).
I chose the later and used the ‘Remote treat reward system’.
In the next session I will cover the training using this.
Actively seek a target on command, perform 8 NTs in less the
20 seconds
How?
By moving through stages starting at simple shaped hand
touch, transferring to target, sending dog to target then requiring dog to find
and touch the target.
For all our shaping I use the 8/10 rule. Which basically
means don’t move on until dog is able to consistently perform 8 out of 10
defined criteria in your prescribed time. Additionally the 8/10 is not 8
straight touches, but can be divided in variable amounts such as 1, 3, 2, 3, 1
(variable reinforcement).
Total Time
4 months (from start to achieving desired consistency in this exercise)
Stages
The hand touch
After conditioning the dog to the clicker, we move to
rewarding for NT an outstretched hand. Dogs are naturally inquisitive so this
outstretched hand is an invitation and therefore easy to click & treat
(CT). We raise the criteria to earn reward by gradually moving the hand to
either side of dogs head, they now learn to move head to locate hand and touch.
Moving to a target
Once the dog is consistently performing a HT either side of eye line, we
place a target in our hand, so now dog is NT the target.
Now we encourage dog to NT below (dogs) head height by
gradually lowering target onto floor. As we gradually lower we still keep our
8/10 objective, and within a defined time limit. Again this keeps not only consistency
but speed (motivation), so only reward those that meet both objectives.
We are now ready to let the dog find target while still keeping high drive and motivation to NT.
Our agility dogs: Part 2 – The STOP: This is the major differentiator between other methods and the hardest / longest to train. I had decided that I wanted a completely ‘hands...
