This may be the first of a series of threads about a noob trainer (that's me) asking heaps of silly questions. Or I may just keep the same thread... that's a good idea.
Anyway, I've started to become just a little organised lol. So I have some training goals. :yikes:
Most of them I have a handle on and we are having a good deal of fun, but one that I've hit a bit of a wall with is shaping the dumbell.
I basically just shaped for interaction in the beginning and building value for the dumbell. Moved on to just rewarding a grip on the dumbell and I'm trying to slowly build some duration to the 'hold'. I haven't named anything yet. I use 'yes' as a marker and 'good girl' to let her know she's doing well but I don't want her to end the behaviour.
I've managed to confuse matters somehow (not surprising) and now she just picks it up, holds it for a second and spits it out. If I do nothing, she just picks it up again and repeats. I'm so dopey, I'm not sure what to do next to build some duration and I'm not 100% sure what I've done wrong either (which would help if I could figure it out and become a better trainer.)
I don't want to kill her enthusiasm by making this a boring or overly frustrating exercise, because she has really started to find value in the dumbell. In fact sometimes when she is holding it, she is also doing her 'gruffing' noises, which is very cute, but more importantly it tells me she's having a fun time lol.
Basically my end goal is an obedience style dumbell exercise, but I'm starting with the hold.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Anyway, I've started to become just a little organised lol. So I have some training goals. :yikes:
Most of them I have a handle on and we are having a good deal of fun, but one that I've hit a bit of a wall with is shaping the dumbell.
I basically just shaped for interaction in the beginning and building value for the dumbell. Moved on to just rewarding a grip on the dumbell and I'm trying to slowly build some duration to the 'hold'. I haven't named anything yet. I use 'yes' as a marker and 'good girl' to let her know she's doing well but I don't want her to end the behaviour.
I've managed to confuse matters somehow (not surprising) and now she just picks it up, holds it for a second and spits it out. If I do nothing, she just picks it up again and repeats. I'm so dopey, I'm not sure what to do next to build some duration and I'm not 100% sure what I've done wrong either (which would help if I could figure it out and become a better trainer.)
I don't want to kill her enthusiasm by making this a boring or overly frustrating exercise, because she has really started to find value in the dumbell. In fact sometimes when she is holding it, she is also doing her 'gruffing' noises, which is very cute, but more importantly it tells me she's having a fun time lol.
Basically my end goal is an obedience style dumbell exercise, but I'm starting with the hold.
Any advice would be appreciated.