8 rules of shaping for dogs

Shaping for dogs is not gymnastics, as many might think. This is a dog training method in which we play the game “Hot-cold” with the pet, and the dog learns to offer different actions that the person “buys”. How to do shaping with a dog correctly?

Photo: www.pxhere.com

We bring to your attention 8 rules of shaping for dogs.

1. The essence of shaping is that the dog guesses what the owner needs, and the person encourages every step in the right direction.
2. It happens two directions of shaping: a person comes up with a problem, and the dog solves it, or a person teaches the pet to offer different actions and chooses what to reward along the way.
3. Shaping is a difficult exercise for a dog, so duration should be short (the first time – no more than 3 – 5 minutes). Even with “advanced” dogs, you can not exercise for more than 15 minutes.
4. You need to start with two weeks of daily practice, then you can practice shaping lessons twice a week.
5. Cardinally change tasks every time.
6. Don’t skimp on rewards! At first, the dog is given 25 – 30 treats per minute.
7. Misbehavior markers NOT used!
8. Various markers are introduced: to start the session, to do the right thing, to continue, to end the session, and others.

Want to learn more about shaping and watch videos? All this you will find in the article “Shaping for dogs”!