100 THINGS TO DO WITH A...
Shaping refers to teaching a behavior by breaking it down into baby steps. For example, you can shape a settle on a mat behavior by rewarding for one, two, three, then four paws on the mat, up to the final behavior of lying down.
Free shaping means allowing our dogs to choose the rules of the game by rewarding them for any behavior they offer. During free shaping games, our dogs get to choose what they do. We don’t have to have a final behavior in mind that we’re working towards, and we don't give our dogs any cues, hints or directions.
WHY PLAY FREE SHAPING GAMES?
Free shaping encourages creativity by rewarding the dog for doing what they do naturally! A creative dog loves to learn and is easier to train than those that do not have the opportunity to free shape. Games such as the one below helps empower our dogs to think for themselves and make good decisions. They can be a major confidence booster for dogs who tend to be anxious or shy, because it gives them positive feedback for offering new behaviors and exploring their environment.
HOW TO TEACH IT
Put a cardboard box, plastic cone, or any other simple object in front of your dog. Stand still without prompting!
Click, then treat for any interaction with the object, including when they: Look at it, sniff it, move towards it, or touch it with any part of their body.
When you give the treat after the click, toss it away from the object. This resets your dog so you can click-then-treat for new behaviors they offer on their return to the object.
Continue to click, then treat for any interaction with the object.
TRAINING TIPS
Wait to put the object down until you are ready to click-treat for even the slightest interaction. You want to be sure to capture your dog’s initial investigation of the object.
Try playing this game with other objects like a plastic cup, or a paper bag to see what new behaviors your dog might offer.
If your dog does not interact with the object at all, try a different object.