Otter's Puppy Log

Beanwood

Administrator
I have just ordered a pair of those new (slightly less horrible...) croc lites. She sank her teeth into my slippers this morning....:shock:
 

Beanwood

Administrator
Mat Games....:)

Most of what we are doing are games based on capturing, shaping good behaviours, such as being comfortable in her bed, crate, being calm, four paws on the ground, looking at my face.

Going back to the bed, there are three things we have been focussing on. 1. Making the bed attractive. 2. Marking calm behaviours associated with bed/crate 3. Seeking the bed.

1. Making the bed attractive
Good things happen in the bed, lovely toys appear treats and delicious chews. We play calm games like "focus on face" where looking at my face = treat. Also, the bed is super comfy, with a nice fleecy throw that she loves! Textures are something I have not thought too much about until I popped a thick fluffy cover on a "not so favourite" bed for Casper. The bed became his "most favourite bed". :)

2. Marking calm behaviours in the bed
This has taken a while and some patience. Locating the bed close to our sofa helped in applying this, as well as puppy feeling secure because she is closer to us. I literally just toss kibble into the bed. Not feeding by hand because I don't want Otter to focus so much on me. The key has been to throw the kibble when she is NOT focussed but switched off. The aim is to capture and reward being content in her bed. :)

3. Seeking the bed.
With this exercise the aim is to get Otter to seek the bed, and this follows on from number 1, so the bed must be the best place to be before progressing to this new and exciting game! This is a great "thinking" game, and a good start for when we work with placeboards and remotely.
First I start with some reps back at stage 1. Otter hops in bed, click and toss treat in bed. Then, I change the criteria. I start by throwing the treat OUTSIDE a foot away from the bed. She takes the treat and looks expectedly at me. I wait. Eventually, she sits in the bed,( I do click for incremental moves towards the bed shaping her progress towards the goal of sitting in the bed) I click and once again deliberately throw the treat outside of the bed. Rinse and repeat. After a while Otter is racing back to the bed to start the game! :) Reading through it does sound complicated! So will get a video filmed shortly! :)

In the meantime, someone thinks that Otter's bed is more attractive than their own! :rofl:

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