Common Misconceptions Around Shaping: Why You May Find Dog Training Frustrating #261
Feb 23, 2024
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Explore common misconceptions around shaping in dog training, including the use of successive approximations and reinforced behaviors. Learn how shaping went wrong with the speaker's dogs and a wall in the 90s. Get key tips for successful shaping sessions and answers to popular questions like using non-reward markers, dealing with frustrations, and shaping sessions for all breeds.
Successive approximations in shaping may lead to frustration and stress for dogs, highlighting the challenges of this linear approach.
Incorporating behavioral blocks in shaping sessions can enhance training outcomes by reinforcing existing behaviors and smoothing progression.
Deep dives
Shaping Process Misconceptions
Shaping processes in dog training often involve successive approximations, rewarding incremental behaviors leading to the desired outcome. However, this approach can lead to frustration, anxiety, and unclear expectations for the dog. Using an example from the 90s with her Jack Rosalterrier and Border Collie, the speaker explains how shaping behaviors linearly can create stress and franticness in dogs, even with driven animals. This highlights the challenges of solely relying on successive approximations in shaping sessions.
Behavioral Blocks in Shaping
The podcast emphasizes the importance of incorporating behavioral blocks in shaping exercises rather than solely relying on successive approximations. Behavioral blocks refer to reinforcing existing behaviors the dog knows well, allowing for a smoother progression in training new behaviors. By using examples like targeting behaviors and teaching dogs to close cupboard doors, the speaker demonstrates how leveraging these blocks can lead to faster and more effective shaping outcomes.
Guidance for Successful Shaping Sessions
The podcast offers practical guidance for successful shaping sessions, emphasizing the need for a hierarchy of reinforcement, location-specific reinforcement markers, and utilizing behavioral cues like 'search.' Additionally, the speaker encourages viewers to evaluate their shaping sessions through video analysis, focusing on antecedent arrangements, mechanics, and emotional neutrality. Emphasizing the importance of setting clear expectations and avoiding frustration, the podcast concludes with insightful questions on cueing shaping sessions and overcoming challenges in training.
Recently, I asked for your questions about using shaping in dog training, and wow, did you deliver! I’m covering misconceptions about shaping, where shaping went wrong for me in the 90s with my dogs and a wall, what you need to know about successive approximations, and how behavioral blocks set dogs up for success. Plus, I’m answering some of your most popular questions and sharing the steps so you can shape your dog to close a cupboard door.
In this episode you’ll hear:
• About shaping using successive approximations. • Where successive approximations went wrong for me with Twister, Stoni and a wall. . • How to use reinforced behaviors as building blocks for shaping. • Key tips for successful shaping sessions. • Q1: Should I be using a non-reward marker when I'm shaping? • Q2: What is a good exercise to help a dog to learn to be okay with offering responses? • Q3: I've heard the comment, click for action and reward for position. Do you agree? • Q4: I try to shape, but my mechanics suck and my dog and I get very frustrated. So, I've heard shaping isn't for novices. Is this true? • Q5: Susan, do you cue shaping sessions? • Q6: What do you do if the dog keeps getting it wrong? • Q7: Does shaping work with all behaviors and tricks that can be taught or shaping only for specific things? • Q8: Some things I just can't fathom how to shape. • Q9: Does this work with all breeds, even unintelligent breeds?