Anne Vaini Webboard User Reg: 07-14-2005
Posts: 775
Loc: Wisconsin
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I'm working on teaching my dog a trick and I'm hoping there are a few good "splitters" (people who are good at breaking down a behavior into little bits) who can help me out.
The trick is to stand on her front legs (handstand) with her back legs extended. At this point, she starts out by stepping of a chair (exaggerated 2o/2o) then using the clicker for lifting her back feet off the chair. (In 3 short sessions... I love my dog!)
I plan to use the clicker to shape her legs being progressively extended. She has some muscles and balance to build up, so no rush now.
So here's where I'm stuck - when she can "step down" off the chair into a handstand, how do I teach her to do a handstand without the chair?
I have heard of teaching a dog to back into a corner and essentially walk it's hind legs up the wall. I probably should have tried that method instead...
Targeting: You teach the do got touch a target with a body part and then he gets a click/treat for the touch. So for targeting his hind legs you teach him to touch the target, say a ruler with a piece of paper glued to the end as a target, with his back feet. Somehow get him to touch, then mark/treat. Then have him touch the target where ever it moves, like up the wall, mark/treat for that. Then after he is good enough, move it up higher, and hten away from the wall, then add the cue and then remove the target and then- boom- handstand. That could take months to shape a behavior like that. You have to break it dowen into so many tiny steps for the dog and figure out a way for him to offer behaviors to mark/treat. Fun challenge though!
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Anne Vaini Webboard User Reg: 07-14-2005
Posts: 775
Loc: Wisconsin
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Sounds like I'll have to train it twice. First, the way I am now to help her develop muscle and balance. Then teach her to list her hind end (rather than lower her front end off a chair).
Amber Morgan Webboard User Reg: 10-18-2006
Posts: 1849
Loc: St. Louis, MO
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I did targeting with the hind legs before, using a target stick. You have to use something completely different from what you use to target the front paws/nose, though, because otherwise you'll have a confused dog.
Targeting the hind legs is very useful in dogs that have a sloppy sit or finish, with their butt too far out to the side.
Quote: Anne Vaini
I'm still not sure how the dog can figure out where the target is when its butt is in the air.
For this trick, it would be easiest to have the dog follow the stick as you lightly touch his rump or paws with it, because you're right, he won't be able to see it...he's going to need his head to balance.
This is a tough trick to teach! What kind of dog do you have?
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Splitting (Handstand trick)
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