How Exactly Do Dogs Learn? Shaping

Shaping is a powerful training technique that involves reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior. Essentially, it means rewarding any small step that brings the dog closer to the final goal. This method is particularly useful for teaching complex behaviors that a dog might not perform on their own. Let's break down how shaping works with some examples:

How Shaping Works

1. Define the Final Behavior: Clearly identify the behavior you want to teach. 2. Identify Starting Point: Determine the dog's current behavior related to the goal. 3. Reinforce Successive Steps: Gradually reward behaviors that incrementally approach the final behavior. 4. Raise Criteria: Increase the difficulty step-by-step, only rewarding closer approximations to the desired behavior. 5. Continue Until Goal is Met: Keep shaping until the dog consistently performs the desired behavior.

Example 1: Teaching a Dog to Roll Over

Final Behavior: Roll over completely. Steps:

1. Starting Point: The dog lies down.

   • Reinforce: Give a treat for lying down.

2. First Approximation: The dog turns its head to the side.

   • Reinforce: Give a treat for turning its head.

3. Second Approximation: The dog rolls onto its side.

   • Reinforce: Give a treat for rolling onto its side.

4. Third Approximation: The dog rolls onto its back.

   • Reinforce: Give a treat for rolling onto its back.

5. Final Step: The dog rolls over completely.

   • Reinforce: Give a treat for rolling over.

Process: Start by rewarding your dog for lying down. Next, use a treat to lure their head to one side, and reward any movement in that direction. Gradually, reinforce each further step until the dog rolls over completely.

Example 2: Teaching a Dog to Fetch

Final Behavior: Retrieve and bring back a toy. Steps:

1. Starting Point: The dog looks at or sniffs the toy.

   • Reinforce: Give a treat for showing interest in the toy.

2. First Approximation: The dog picks up the toy in its mouth.

   • Reinforce: Give a treat for picking up the toy.

3. Second Approximation: The dog moves towards you with the toy.

   • Reinforce: Give a treat for taking a step towards you with the toy.

4. Third Approximation: The dog brings the toy closer.

   • Reinforce: Give a treat for bringing the toy closer.

5. Final Step: The dog gives you the toy.

   • Reinforce: Give a treat for giving you the toy.

Process: Start by rewarding your dog for looking at or sniffing the toy. Gradually, encourage and reward the dog for picking up the toy, then for taking steps towards you, and finally for giving you the toy.

Example 3: Teaching a Dog to Go to a Mat

Final Behavior: Go to a designated mat and lie down. Steps:

1. Starting Point: The dog looks at or moves towards the mat.

   • Reinforce: Give a treat for looking at or moving towards the mat.

2. First Approximation: The dog steps onto the mat.

   • Reinforce: Give a treat for stepping onto the mat.

3. Second Approximation: The dog stands on the mat.

   • Reinforce: Give a treat for standing on the mat.

4. Third Approximation: The dog lies down on the mat.

   • Reinforce: Give a treat for lying down on the mat.

5. Final Step: The dog stays on the mat.

   • Reinforce: Give a treat for staying on the mat.

Process: Start by rewarding your dog for looking at or moving towards the mat. Gradually, reward each step that brings the dog closer to lying down and staying on the mat.

Why Shaping is Effective

• Positive Reinforcement: Encourages the dog by focusing on what they do right.

• Incremental Progress: Makes the process manageable and less overwhelming for the dog.

• Clear Communication: Helps the dog understand what behavior is desired.

Shaping is a versatile and effective training method that builds complex behaviors step-by-step, creating a clear and positive learning experience for your dog.

Be sure to check back next week in conclusion to this How Exactly Do Dogs Learn? series, to see how at Dalmatia BnB we use all of these tools in our Balanced Training methods!