Name Game - Level 4

Capturing & Shaping
Level 1: Head Dip

You will learn:

Observation
Clicker skills
Reinforcement

Your dog will learn:

Offer behavior
Give attention

The goal of this exercise is to teach handlers the skill of noticing and
capturing small movements, a precursor to shaping.

uses for this behavior

Capturing & Shaping Games Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4
Bow, spontaneous "sphinx" position, or belly flop down
Aid in teaching relaxation (head resting on floor or mat)

tips for success

This game also teached your dog to offer a specific behavior repeatedly.

Make it a game!

Observe the dog’s natural movements, then capture something new.
Capture a cute behavior outside of training sessions, such as cocked head, crossed paws, sneeze, shake, or backup.
Use a mouth click if your clicker is not handy, followed by a treat.
Record each click (put a checklist on the refrigerator door) and see if these “random” events become more frequent.

Training Steps:

Step 1:
Begin with the dog in a standing position. Click and treat any downward movement of the nose. Do not lure the nose down. Drop the treat on the floor after the click.

Click Points

Head movement
Any downward movement of the nose
While the nose is in motion

Tag Points

Click one inch head dip
Click the instant the dog's head dips
Drop treat to the floor

Step 2:
If the dog is not offering any head movement, move a step or two to get the dog active, then click head movements in any direction. Toss treats in different locations.

Click Points

Downward head movement

Tag Points

Observe and click very small movements
Toss treat to reset

Step 3:
Continue clicking any downward movements of the nose. Pause now and then to encourage offering a deliberate head dip.

Click Points

Any downward movement of the head

Tag Points

Step 4:
When the dog is reliably lowering his head, move to a different part of the room and continue capturing deliberate head dips.

Click Points

Tag Points

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