shaping Archives - Karen Pryor Academy https://karenpryoracademy.com/tag/shaping/ Karen Pryor Academy Fri, 29 Oct 2021 13:35:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 Happy Cat Day: Fun with Shaping https://karenpryoracademy.com/happy-cat-day-fun-with-shaping/ https://karenpryoracademy.com/happy-cat-day-fun-with-shaping/#respond Fri, 29 Oct 2021 13:35:25 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=17608 How do you celebrate National Cat Day? At Karen Pryor Academy (KPA), we celebrate by teaching our cats new behaviors, of course! Cats can be trained easily with shaping, the process of using a series of gradual steps to build toward a final behavior. With shaping, you can teach a cat any behavior that the cat is physically capable of doing, from sitting, spinning, and stationing on a mat to riding on a skateboard!

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happy cat day: Fun with shaping

How do you celebrate National Cat Day? At Karen Pryor Academy (KPA), we celebrate by teaching our cats new behaviors, of course! Cats can be trained easily with shaping, the process of using a series of gradual steps to build toward a final behavior. With shaping, you can teach a cat any behavior that the cat is physically capable of doing, from sitting, spinning, and stationing on a mat to riding on a skateboard! 

“A skateboard?” you ask in disbelief. In this video, KPA Certified Training Partner (CTP) Jennifer Mauger uses shaping to teach her cat Doron to ride a skateboard. Jennifer rewards Doron for looking at the skateboard, approaching the skateboard, touching the skateboard lightly with one paw, and, finally, bearing weight on the skateboard with one paw so that the skateboard begins to move. In only two sessions, Doron has learned to skateboard!

Jennifer says, “Although my mechanics were off, I love the way this boy works! Training cats is so much fun!”

What behaviors can you teach your cat with shaping? For more inspiration and tips on training your cat, check out Karen Pryor Academy’s Train Your Cat course!

YOUR CAT IS ENORMOUSLY SMART!

Unlock their potential with our online course, Train Your Cat.

Hurry, sale ends tonight at 11:59 pm (ET)

LEARN MORE

Save 20% This Month!

Offer ends this Saturday, January 31, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Your cat is enormously smart! Unlock their potential with our online course, Train Your Cat. Use coupon code TYD2026 and save $39!

Hurry, sale ends tonight at 11:59 pm (ET)

LEARN MORE

SAVE 20% DURING OUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALE!

The sale ends on Tuesday, September 30, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Your cat is enormously smart! Unlock their potential with our online course, Train Your Cat. Use coupon code BTS2025 and save $39!

LEARN MORE

TRAIN YOUR CAT

Your cat is enormously smart. Unlock their potential with our online course, Train Your Cat.

Hurry, sale ends tonight at 11:59 pm (ET)

LEARN MORE

Save 20% during our Back-To-School sale!

Your cat is enormously smart. Unlock her potential with our online Train Your Cat course! ,

Hurry, sale ends tonight at 11:59 pm (ET)

LEARN MORE

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]]> https://karenpryoracademy.com/happy-cat-day-fun-with-shaping/feed/ 0 Teach Your Dog to Clean Up Toys https://karenpryoracademy.com/teach-your-dog-to-clean-up-toys/ Tue, 20 Jul 2021 19:57:42 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=16768 How to teach your dog to drop their toy on cue so you can keep the game going with them.

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]]> Simple Shaping Games https://karenpryoracademy.com/simple-shaping-games/ Tue, 20 Jul 2021 19:54:59 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=16765 How to teach your dog to drop their toy on cue so you can keep the game going with them.

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]]> Using Shaping to Build Confidence https://karenpryoracademy.com/using-shaping-to-build-confidence/ https://karenpryoracademy.com/using-shaping-to-build-confidence/#respond Wed, 16 Jun 2021 17:06:15 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=16533 Shaping is the process of breaking down a behavior into small steps and reinforcing each small step as you work toward the final goal behavior. It is a great tool for teaching complex behaviors, as well as for increasing confidence in dogs that are hesitant to try new things.

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using shaping to build confidence

Shaping is the process of breaking down a behavior into small steps and reinforcing each small step as you work toward the final goal behavior. It is a great tool for teaching complex behaviors, as well as for increasing confidence in dogs that are hesitant to try new things.

In this video, KPA CTP Sammy Hyde is using shaping to help her dog build confidence around “scary” objects (in this case, a hoop). Sammy clicks and reinforces her dog for each small step, in the following sequence:

  •       Nose touch to the hoop
  •       Paw touch to the hoop
  •       One front paw through the hoop
  •       Two front paws through the hoop
  •       Three legs through the hoop
  •       Goal Behavior: All four paws through the hoop!

Now that Sammy has taught her dog to walk through the hoop with confidence, she can use these same steps to shape her dog to move through, over, or under other objects that may seem scary.

For more ideas about how to get started training your dog, check out our blogs and the Dog Trainer Foundations course! The new Immersion version of the Dog Trainer Foundations course offers an even more personalized, structured learning experience plus five hours of coaching to help you get to the next step!

Happy Training!

LEARN THE FOUNDATIONS OF DOG TRAINING

Learn the foundations of a well-behaved dog in our online course, Dog Trainer Foundations.

LEARN MORE
GET THE IMMERSION EXPERIENCE

Save 20% during Train Your Dog Month!

Offer ends this Saturday, January 31, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Hurry, sale ends tonight at 11:59 pm (ET)

Learn the foundations of a well-behaved dog in our online course, Dog Trainer Foundations (save $49). For an even more personalized learning experience and five hours of coaching, check out the Immersion version (save $119)! Use coupon code TYD2026.

LEARN MORE
GET THE IMMERSION EXPERIENCE

SAVE 20% DURING OUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALE!

The sale ends on Tuesday, September 30, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Learn the foundations of a well-behaved dog in our online course, Dog Trainer Foundations (save $49). For an even more personalized learning experience and five hours of coaching, check out the Immersion version (save $119)! Use coupon code BTS2025.

LEARN MORE
GET THE IMMERSION EXPERIENCE

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]]> https://karenpryoracademy.com/using-shaping-to-build-confidence/feed/ 0 Teaching Verbal Cue Discrimination https://karenpryoracademy.com/teaching-verbal-cue-discrimination/ https://karenpryoracademy.com/teaching-verbal-cue-discrimination/#respond Wed, 03 Mar 2021 17:46:21 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=15243 As trainers, we need to be able to depend on our dogs’ ability to respond to the correct verbal cue and not to other stimuli. Verbal cue discrimination training is an important skill; it ensures that your dog responds only to the correct verbal cue and not to other words. It is particularly useful in dog sports, such as canine freestyle, where many verbal cues are given and the dog must differentiate between them.

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teaching verbal cue discrimination

As trainers, we need to be able to depend on our dogs’ ability to respond to the correct verbal cue and not to other stimuli. Verbal cue discrimination training is an important skill; it ensures that your dog responds only to the correct verbal cue and not to other words. It is particularly useful in dog sports, such as canine freestyle, where many verbal cues are given and the dog must differentiate between them.

In this video by KPA CTP Kim Lyddon, Rio is learning to discriminate between cue words and non-cue words. To begin, Kim keeps her body still as she cues the behavior. She then begins to incorporate non-relevant words (Kim is using the names of fruit) along with the cue word. Notice that she not only rewards Rio for responding to the cue word, but she also offers reinforcement when Rio does not respond to the non-relevant word. As Rio becomes more fluent, Kim changes her posture to solidify Rio’s understanding that it is the specific word that matters, not her body position. 

For more tips on how to train better and have fun with your dog, check out KPA’s Dog Trainer Comprehensive course!

Happy Training! 

Dog Trainer Comprehensive

Learn modern, effective, positive reinforcement training in our online course, Dog Trainer Comprehensive!

LEARN MORE

Save $50 during Train Your Dog Month!

Offer ends this Saturday, January 31, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Learn modern, effective, positive reinforcement training in our online course, Dog Trainer Comprehensive! Use coupon code DTCTYD2026 and save $50!

LEARN MORE

SAVE $50 DURING OUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALE!

The sale ends on Tuesday, September 30, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Learn modern, effective, positive reinforcement training in our online course, Dog Trainer Comprehensive! Use coupon code DTCBTS2025 and save $50!

LEARN MORE

Dog Trainer Comprehensive

Learn modern, effective, positive reinforcement training online with our Dog Trainer Comprehensive course!
LEARN MORE

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]]> https://karenpryoracademy.com/teaching-verbal-cue-discrimination/feed/ 0 Flip the Switch with Shaping https://karenpryoracademy.com/flip-the-switch-with-shaping/ https://karenpryoracademy.com/flip-the-switch-with-shaping/#respond Mon, 11 Jan 2021 20:31:02 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=14709 Shaping, teaching a new behavior by breaking it down in small increments, is an essential tool for teaching complex (and often useful) behaviors. In this video, KPA CTP Megan Ramirez uses shaping to teach her dog Rim Shot to flip a light switch—in just a three-minute training session!

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Flip the switch with shaping

Shaping, teaching a new behavior by breaking it down in small increments, is an essential tool for teaching complex (and often useful) behaviors. In this video, KPA CTP Megan Ramirez uses shaping to teach her dog Rim Shot to flip a light switch—in just a three-minute training session!

Megan begins teaching this behavior by shaping Rim Shot to target the light switch with his nose. Once he is targeting the light switch consistently, Megan then reinforces for touching under the switch. When one of Rim Shot’s nose targets results in flipping the light switch on, Megan reinforces him enthusiastically. In no time, Rim Shot has his own “light-bulb moment” as he learns that flipping on the light switch earns him tasty treats!

For more tips on how to train better and have fun with your dog, check out KPA’s Dog Trainer Comprehensive course!

Happy Training! 

Dog Trainer Comprehensive

Learn modern, effective, positive reinforcement training in our online course, Dog Trainer Comprehensive!

LEARN MORE

Save $50 during Train Your Dog Month!

Offer ends this Saturday, January 31, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Learn modern, effective, positive reinforcement training in our online course, Dog Trainer Comprehensive! Use coupon code DTCTYD2026 and save $50!

LEARN MORE

SAVE $50 DURING OUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALE!

The sale ends on Tuesday, September 30, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Learn modern, effective, positive reinforcement training in our online course, Dog Trainer Comprehensive! Use coupon code DTCBTS2025 and save $50!

LEARN MORE

Dog Trainer Comprehensive

Learn modern, effective, positive reinforcement training online with our Dog Trainer Comprehensive course!
LEARN MORE

The post Flip the Switch with Shaping appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

]]> https://karenpryoracademy.com/flip-the-switch-with-shaping/feed/ 0 Down https://karenpryoracademy.com/down/ Sat, 26 Oct 2019 01:40:41 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=9681 Teach the "down" behavior with positive reinforcement.

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]]> Under and Over- Leg Game https://karenpryoracademy.com/under-and-over-leg-game/ Sat, 26 Oct 2019 01:39:06 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=9677 Play a fun game with luring, shaping, and marking.

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]]> Shaping a Head Dip https://karenpryoracademy.com/shaping-a-head-dip/ https://karenpryoracademy.com/shaping-a-head-dip/#respond Mon, 09 Sep 2019 18:15:45 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=9048 Shaping, the process of teaching a new behavior by breaking it down in small increments, is a great way to encourage creativity and focus in animals as well as an essential tool for teaching complex behaviors. In this video, Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) student Shelby Mildenberger uses shaping to teach her dog Eddy a head dip, one of the first behaviors in the DTP and Dog Trainer Comprehensive courses. Shelby clicks and reinforces Eddy for any downward head movement. At first, she reinforces for small movements, but once Eddy is reliably moving his head she rewards greater movements. In no time, Eddy is fully (and enthusiastically!) dipping his head!

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shaping a head dip

Shaping, the process of teaching a new behavior by breaking it down in small increments, is a great way to encourage creativity and focus in animals as well as an essential tool for teaching complex behaviors.  In this video, Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) student Shelby Mildenberger uses shaping to teach her dog Eddy a head dip, one of the first behaviors in the DTP and Dog Trainer Comprehensive courses. Shelby clicks and reinforces Eddy for any downward head movement. At first, she reinforces for small movements, but once Eddy is reliably moving his head she rewards greater movements. In no time, Eddy is fully (and enthusiastically) dipping his head!

 

head-dip-promo from Karen Pryor Clicker Training on Vimeo.

With shaping, the possibilities are endless! What creative behaviors can you train your dog? Find out by enrolling in KPA’s Dog Trainer Comprehensive course!

Happy Training!

Dog Trainer Comprehensive

Learn modern, effective, positive reinforcement training in our online course, Dog Trainer Comprehensive!

LEARN MORE

Save $50 during Train Your Dog Month!

Offer ends this Saturday, January 31, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Learn modern, effective, positive reinforcement training in our online course, Dog Trainer Comprehensive! Use coupon code DTCTYD2026 and save $50!

LEARN MORE

SAVE $50 DURING OUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALE!

The sale ends on Tuesday, September 30, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Learn modern, effective, positive reinforcement training in our online course, Dog Trainer Comprehensive! Use coupon code DTCBTS2025 and save $50!

LEARN MORE

Dog Trainer Comprehensive

Learn modern, effective, positive reinforcement training online with our Dog Trainer Comprehensive course!

LEARN MORE

The post Shaping a Head Dip appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

]]> https://karenpryoracademy.com/shaping-a-head-dip/feed/ 0 Foot Target – Adding a Cue – Easy Button https://karenpryoracademy.com/foot-target-adding-a-cue-easy-button/ Fri, 10 May 2019 17:29:59 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=8178 How to add a cue to a foot target to object behavior using an easy button.

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