05 October 2014

Shaping and Clicker Training with a Box

October's  Positive Pet Training Blog Hop theme (co-hosted with Cascadian Nomads and Dachshund Nola) is Positive Training Fun with a Box! 101 things to do with a box is a clicker and shaping game where you treat the dog for any interactions with the box and shape it into a useful (or not so useful) trick. 

Mr. N says hello and welcome to the world of shaping with a box. He likes to sit on boxes and pose probably because I reward heavily for jumping up on things and posing so I can take photos. 


I did some free shaping with him to see what what kind of behaviors he would naturally offer. We've been doing some conditioning exercises with his K9 Fitbone lately and so that's what he tried out on the box. He put his back paws on the box.


And stood on the box. It's much more impressive when the surface area is wobbly!


I've also been working on pivoting (his front legs remain stationary on the platform but his hind legs move in a circle around the platform) with him so that's what he offered most of the time.


What kind of tricks does your pet do with a box? 

33 comments:

  1. We love playing 101 things to do with a box, too! Mr. N looks like he's having so much fun!

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  2. Mr. N looks very proud of himself indeed. Paws up is definitely Brychwyn and Wilhelm's most offered box behavior but Huxley loves nosing (herding) things so he shoves the box around the room. He also might be trying to get the box to give him a treat since he has played a lot of scent work box games!

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    1. Lol! If it's small enough, Mr. N likes to try knocking things down with his paw.

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  3. I like to put my cat bro Bert in boxes and try to ship him off to another home, but usually I get caught. I have sat in boxes myself too. Being almost 40 lbs, I need a strong box to be "on" one. Looks like you have a lot of fun there with your new tricks.

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  4. Hi Y'all!

    I prefer to carry the box! I would so crush most boxes!

    Y'all come by now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  5. 101 things to do with a box. What a great idea. I'm going to have to look that one up!

    Wags (and purrs) from Life with Dogs and Cats.

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  6. Wow, great job! We don't do any and now we are having mom go look for a box! Hopefully, we don't crush it! BOL!

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    1. Hope you find a good box! Maybe a moving box, those are sturdy.

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  7. OMD - Mr. N is just the cutest thing ever! Do I say that in every comment? I love his tail!
    www.dogtreatweb.com

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  8. I love clicker shaping! Pyrs really don't care for it, but it's such fun to do with other dogs. If I put a box near the fluffies, they would probably just shred it ;)

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    1. Mr. N has done clicker shaping for long enough that he thinks everything I put in front of him is a new toy to explore and figure out what I want.

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  9. I am very impressed with Mr. N and his clicker shaping! I haven't tried it with Harley, but Mr. N you've given me the incentive to check it out!

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  10. Great job, Mr. N! I'm finally starting to understand what the shaping is all about. I wasn't quite ready for this hop, but Luke has been coming along well. Or should I say I have been coming along? LOL
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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  11. Hey Mr N, have you been working on looking cute, cos you've sure got that mastered! :)

    I hope you're having a fun day,

    Your pal Snoopy :)

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  12. What a cutie for a woofie. Looks like your training is coming along great. I've been learning some tricks, too.

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  13. I just got my first clicker, this looks fun to try - and so easy to get the right equipment! Cute pics!

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  14. The beautiful thing that always come through is the clear connection that you have with Mr. N. This is very important and reflects trust. I think this builds with spending time with your animal, training, not just cuddling, to create a world of safety!

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  15. That is quite impressive! I can only get my dogs to jump on and off things. It's not easy to get them to just do "paws up" on something and certainly not pivot around an object! Mr. N. is so talented.
    Love & Biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

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  16. Layla is just Layla, have never tried teaching her tricks but she does listen to commands

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  17. Magic knows a lot of commands, and usually performs them pretty reliably. Especially when he knows he'll get a treat!

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  18. That is really cool. Mr. N is so talented. ☺

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  19. That is one trick that Nelly does, only we didn't train her for it, she just claims every box that comes in the house. Mr. N is so cute!

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  20. You are adorable and what talent, too. So sweet.

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  21. You are so good with training Mr. N, but that's probably because he's one smart woofie.

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  22. This is really interesting. I've never heard of this type of training. I'm thankful that my pack it treat motivated so training is a little easier on me.

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