I have nothing to add to this thread other than we don't see enough of Marsh and that video is adorable. Reminds me of watching Dance learn... except Dance is more erratic lately haha. No idea what happened to stopping and thinking for a second.
Haha! Erratic is definitely the word. Marsh has definitely gotten better at shaping, at first he would get too stressed and pace around the room if he didn't get clicked, then he went through a phase where the answer to stress was to pick something up and bring it to me, now he just squeaks and does all his tricks at once. And then finds something in the room to bring to me. Doofy retriever.
^Yes.
As long as you're paying attention to what your dog can safely physically do and not merely what he is willing to do, you're fine. From the video, I would personally go in very small increments of building up and coordination before trying a supportless handstand with him (sounds like that's your plan but just to reinforce that point...)
Self-preservation is not a concept Marsh is familiar with. I can usually tell when he's wearing down, and I need to remind myself not to push for "just one more." (In all shaping! If you're thinking "just one more," just stop!
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I am interested in the trick more for the strength benefits than the show off points, people are equally impressed with a roll over and a sit stay (and I'm not showing off for anyone anyway). If he can do an unsupported handstand, cool! He does seem to like the trick. But if it never gets there, it never gets there.
That video is a couple months old, he has a little better control now and I have him up against a wall. We're took a break from that trick to teach him to lift each paw as I ask for it, working up to standing on two legs at a time. Marsh has put on a lot of muscle in his hind legs recently from working on sit pretty, and I want to balance him out with more muscle in the front legs. He only knew to shake with the right front foot, and you can see in the video he always reaches back with his left back foot first. So I want to balance him out that way too.
I wish I had watched Trkman's Tricks for a Better Bond at the start of winter! We could have been having so much fun instead of moping that it's too dark/cold to play gundog outside.