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Post by Am on Jun 12, 2005 1:23:16 GMT -5
At the moment, I'm trying to clicker train the boy to push a door shut on command (basically because he leaves doors open all the time, and because I'm lazy). This weekend I taught him to touch a playing card on command, then put the card on the door. Now when I say "shut the door!" he'll run over, put his nose on the card and return for his reward. So far though, I can't get him to actually PUSH the door at all. I've tried to shape the behaviour by withholding treats for only touching the card lightly, hoping he'll push the target harder out of frustration so I could selectively reward that. But unfortunately he's just not the kind of dog who'll ofter behaviour after behaviour until he gets a reward. After a couple of times touching the target lightly but not getting rewarded, he tends to just get confused, quit and sulk. Has anyone got any hints?
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Post by Aussienot on Jun 12, 2005 2:01:00 GMT -5
Could you try to smear something on the card, like peanut butter or soft cheese, something that he'd have to snuffle and lick off? That might provide enought pressure to get the behaviour you are hoping to reward.
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Post by Am on Jun 13, 2005 17:18:22 GMT -5
I was going to try your suggestion - but we accidentally found the solution ourselves. I switched rooms tonight, and was trying to get him to shut the bedroom door. This door makes a slight squeak if you nudge it gently. He really quickly picked up that squeak = treat and no squeak = no treat. And now he'll push the door to get the squeak and the treat, not just touch the target. But thanks for the idea!
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