I can now get $3 off my next purchase from the Clicker Training store! Wonder how many clickers that'll buy...
Just one evening training session yesterday, but I was determined to teach something new! Frankie doesn't like any kind of manipulation of her body. She won't ever act aggressive, but she'll shy away like it's a game. Tonight I was determined to start teaching 'play dead' to go with our 'freeze' paws up trick. I think it'll be a hoot when we've got this one polished. Pugs aren't widely known for their prowess doing tricks or obedience (at least not to me) so I think we'll wow some people with all the stuff she's learning.
Frankie loves to be petted. I realized that when we try to scratch her tummy when she's in a 'down' position she'll lay on her side (for better access, I'm sure...hehe). Bingo! This is how I'll teach this trick! I had my daughter pet Frankie, and as soon as she started to turn on her side (my 'must do' behavior with this was that her hips had to be all the way rolled over) we clicked and treated. Things were going well. As soon as my daughter would go to pet Frankie, she'd rollĀ on her side voluntarily. Unfortunately we had to take a break to drive my daughter to an activity, then hubby came home with KFC for diner....needless to say, poor Frankie was wondering about the rest of her dinner by that time. In hindsight, I probably should have just let her have the rest of her kibble.
When we pick the session back up, we have to start from the beginning again. I pet her in a down position, she rolls to the side, I click and treat. After awhile, all I had to do was move my hand in a semi-circle and she would offer the behavior. Hubby was sitting on the couch, so I got his attention and said, "Look, I'm a Jedi knight! All I have to do is wave my hand over her and she rolls on her side!" Sure enough, Frankie didn't dissapoint and offered the behavior after my 'Jedi wave'. We got a good laugh out if that since we're big Star Wars fans. We ran out of kibble before she started offering the behavior without a hand cue, so we'll work on that some more tonight. I'm excited to later shape this into a 'roll over'!
...must...resist...I will NOT start the...roll over...tonight!
<ahem>
Anyway.
That's all for now!
Ellen & Frankie
