Paw-sitive Progress
Glindy and I went to our second CGC
training class with Greg on Tuesday. As before, we flew through the
exercises, with only her hand-shyness around strangers as a
potential issue.
Greg and I discussed the matter, and think her behavior still meets
the qualification criteria of the test. So, unless Glindy has a
melt-down on the actual day of testing, I think we're pretty much a
shoe-in.
We spent a little extra practice on paw-handling, to see if we
could get Glindy to relax more during the examination phase of the
test. Greg wanted to see my technique, so I showed him my method
for clicker-training this sort of behavior with her.
- I gently pick up Glindy's paw.
- Glindy will sometimes try to pull the paw away; I keep my hand
in contact throughout.
- As soon as she relaxes the paw, I click.
- I then deliver the treat from an open bag in my lap, within a
few seconds of the click.
With this method, I'm reinforcing the relaxation. It's really all
in the timing, and a few minutes a day of that should really
help.
This brief clicker workout led us into a long, two-hour discussion
of the pros and cons of various training methods, the possibility
of converting the clicker into a primary reinforcer instead of an
event marker, and various esoteric discussions on the dividing line
between operant conditioning and classical conditioning in
lure/reward training.
The details of the discussion aren't really the point, though,
other than to say that Greg really knows his stuff. What's really
worth noting is that Greg (and Robin, too) are both extremely
passionate about what they do, and are often willing to go above
and beyond the call of duty in providing services and information.
I'm really enjoying working with them, and my only regret is
keeping Greg from his dinner for two extra hours.
At any rate, we're on track. Just a few more weeks before the test,
so keep your paws crossed for us!