Shaping is a method of training that uses positive reinforcement to shape the behaviour that we want in our dogs. Based on the scientific experiements of B.F. Skinner in the 1930s and 40s, and further developed by Marian Breland Bailey and Bob Bailey, and more recently by Karen Pryer, shaping is the most effective means of training there is.
The links I just provided will give you a lot more information on this method than I can here, but very briefly, when you use shaping, the idea is to get the dog to think and offer behaviours, and then you reward what you want in order to get the dog to repeat it. At first, this method is slower than using compulsion or luring, but once the dog understands the concept, he or she will learn much more quickly than with the other methods.
I have been using shaping for a number of years now and I love it. It is the only method I use now for training. Not only do my dogs learn extremely quickly and enjoy every moment of their training, but it does wonders for their confidence, and for our relationship. I have some videos that I will post shortly to demonstrate a couple of basic ideas, but to get started, all you need is a clicker, some treats and a box.
Below are the lists of exercises I’ve made into separate training sheets and taped to my basement wall where I train. I either focus on one sheet per day, or I pick one item from each page and cross train. I put these sheets up so that I have variety to choose from as otherwise I find that I tend to do the same things over and over.
BASICS: Sit • Down • Stand • Sit-Down-Sit-Stand push-ups • Hand touch • Follow the Hand • Long sits • Long downs • Target (to stick, to object) • Heel left and right
FOCUS: It’s Your Choice • Watch Me • Focus Forward • Box Work – Shaping, 101 Things • Shadow Handling: Left and Right Sides, Spin, Leg Weaves, Reverse work
CRATE GAMES: Drive in • Sit to release • Drive out • Drive in from a distance • Open door with distractions • Back in
REAR END AWARENESS & CORE STRENGTH: Back Up • Back up over Jump Bumps • Perch Work; with Jump Bumps • Nested Boxes • Ladder Work • Sit Up & Hold • Sit Up – Press Up to Stand Up • Dance • Exercise Ball Games
NOSE WORK: Hide & Seek with Food • Hide & Seek with Toy • Hide Treats Under Objects • Scent Discrimination
AGILITY BASICS: Start Line Focus • Start Line with Distractions • Buja Board • Skate Board • Weave Entries 2×2 • Go Out & Target • Go Around • Target on Steps
TRICKS: Shake a Paw – Left & Right • Wave – Left & Right • Roll Over • Back Up • Weave Through Legs: Forward & Backwards • Speak • Crawl • Bow • Say Your Prayers
I am very interested in your training methods. I have a 3.5 year old dog I adopted about 7 months ago, and when I got her, I knew she had dog aggression issues. I would take her to the dog park and try to work on her social skills, and to some extent it was helpful. This summer was a very bad time for my new dog, as I got a job that took me away from home 5 days a week. Now, she is more aggressive than ever to other dogs. She is very sweet with people, but is very focused on other dogs. She mostly meets new dogs on a leash though acts the same off a leash. She approaches them focused, then growls and snaps, and begins to chase, snarl, and fight.
I have determined that I will never have another job that takes me from my home and my animals. That being said I am looking for a lifetime method to help with my dog’s (and my) issues. I have owned dogs in the past, but none with aggression. I need to teach my self, so that I may teach my pet. I am in love with my dog, and I wish to dedicate time and energy into seeing her, and me, happy. She is not happy when she fights, and I am not happy with her.
There is so much more to say! I need a starting point. Could you help point me in the right direction?
-Rose and Charlie (my pooch)
Hi Rose – I’m so sorry to take so long in replying to your post! It’s been a while since I checked this page. It’s hard for me to suggest what might be going on with your dog just from the little bit of information you provided, but a few things jump to mind.
First, dog aggression can come from poor socialization but it also often is the result of vaccinosis or other health issues. Sometimes they can react to preservatives in food even. Also, a thyroid imbalance can lead to aggressive behaviour, so if she has any other signs of hypothyroidism (tendency to gain weight, dry coat, itchy skin, lots of shedding, etc.) you might want to get that checked out. Treatment by a good homeopath as well as getting her onto a high end kibble or (ideally) a fresh raw meat diet may make a world of difference.
Regarding training, there is a lot you can do there to help. Most dogs can learn to control their impulses around what frightens them, especially if you demonstrate strong leadership and control. Typically a dog will feel the need to take control of the situation if you don’t. So if she is afraid of another dog coming near her, and she doesn’t trust that you will prevent it, she will make the scary dog go away herself. In other words, you need to demonstrate strong leadership skills around her. That means staying calm and being firm about what she needs to do, and also preventing her from being put in a position where she needs to defend herself as that will become a habitual behaviour.
Two books that might be helpful are The Cautious Canine and Fiesty Fido, both by Patricial McConnell. I have not read either but I have read a lot of her other books and she has tremendous insight into canine behavior and is a specialist in dog aggression.
To learn more about shaping, I’d suggest reading Don’t Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor. Pat Miller’s The Power Of Positive Training and Susan Garrett’s book Ruff Love (for dogs with behaviour problems) would also be very good resources for you.
Finally, I would encourage you to find a good trainer who uses positive training methods and who has experience working with behavioural issues. I would suggest observing how this person trains before engaging with them, and make sure what they say and do feels right to you. There are a lot of dog trainers out there, and in my opinion, very few know what they are doing. Fewer still are able to work well with dogs with aggression issues.
Best of luck with Charlie and please feel free to write again if I can be of any assistance.
[...] Not all dogs are confident, however, and many have poor self-control. Or some can be confident, but have their confidence ruined through constant corrections. I have seen this happen a lot, and am very careful with my dogs to not dampen their enthusiams while I try to shape the behaviours that I want. Which brings me to another method of training: Shaping. [...]