Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett cover image

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett

Common Misconceptions Around Shaping: Why You May Find Dog Training Frustrating #261

Feb 23, 2024
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.
21:18

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Quick takeaways

  • 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.

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