• Shaping
• Attention
• Puzzle toys
• Hide and seek
• At-home obstacle course

Shaping

For a lot of the brain games, you will use the training technique of shaping.

For further learning, you can review the Animal Learning Theory Seminar.

Shaping uses incremental rewards to get to your overall goal (baby steps)!

Start small - break the goal down into steps the dog can achieve.

• Ex: Training the dog to touch an object with its nose.
  • The first step would be to reward for forward motion towards the object.
  • Toss the cookie away with the word “Find it” to break them from the object.
  • Reward if they repeat the first step. Once they are continually doing that step, move on to the next.
  • The next step might be rewarding eye contact with the object. Follow the above steps and move on when they are continually doing it.

Shaping Game Ideas

• Moving Body Parts

  • Choose a body part you want the dog to move. (e.g., turning head to the left or right, lifting head, lowering head, lifting paw).
  • Reward the dog for the motion of that body part.

• Touching an Object

  • Pick a safe object you want the dog to touch (box, plate, cup, cone, toy, etc.).
  • Pick a body part you want them to touch it with (nose, rest chin, paw).

  Video example

• Doing Behaviors with an Object

  • Pick a safe object you want the dog to work with.

    • Front or back paw(s) on object)
    • Head under object
    • Head on object
    • Move body around object

    Video example

Attention

Use the shaping technique for the following games for attention.

Puppy Zen

1. The goal: Get eye contact with duration.

2. Hold treats in your closed hands - offer them to the dog and let him lick and sniff it. Mark with a “Yes” and reward with your other hand when they stop.

3. Repeat and reward when the dog starts to give you eye contact.

4. Increase the challenge by moving your hands away from you and to your sides.

5. When the dog looks at you, mark with a “Yes” and reward.

6. Increase the challenge by:

   1. Lengthening the time the dog must look at you before the reward
   2. Adding high-value treats to your hands
   3. Trying with a toy - maybe their favorite!

   Video example

Automatic Leave Its - For after Puppy Zen

1. Have the dog in a down position.
2. Set treats on the floor near the dog (about 4-5 feet away to start) - be prepared to cover the treats with your hand - those labs are fast!