Grace's Version of the Game

     This page is designed to compliment an earlier post, so if you have not yet read "A Game We Play", I strongly suggest you begin at that post.  Click here to go.

Grace immediately wanted to sniff the ring.

     If you have a dog who is "mouthy", meaning they want to pick up or chew on your object, you may find this alternative to have some great results.  Also, if you would like for your dog to fetch and carry things, this is an alternative to the "force-fetch" method (mostly used for competition level canine sports).

     For Grace, I chose to encourage the mouth exploration to teach her to fetch items simply lying on the ground (as opposed to items that have been thrown) on command.  She already loves to play fetch.  But used to bite down too hard on her toys and bumpers.  Grace has an extensive background with behavioral modification and adaptive style training from her previous conditioning as a service animal, but minimal classic obedience.

     I began exactly as I had with Toby, encouraging her to touch the ring with her nose.  Each time she touched the ring, I said "Yes!" and fed her a treat.  Then I waited for her to open her mouth to move the ring.  The first time she did, I said "Yes!" and gave her 2 treats immediately.  (The first modification to a new desired behavior gets an extra treat!)

     When I fed her the treats, one at a time, but in rapid succession, it was for a specific purpose.  In order to eat the treats, Grace had to immediately release the ring.  My goal was to feed her for holding it very lightly, to teach her how to hold things gently (also referred to as a "soft mouth").  I was able to catch the behavior and feed immediately (just one treat per) several times in a row!

Bad picture, but a very soft mouth!

     Once Grace was consistently grasping the ring very lightly, I began to wait before praising for her to move the ring to a different spot.  Previously, I had been praising and treating her for just picking the ring up and dropping it before she put any real pressure on it.  I had to use an "Eh" sound to keep her from chewing- it caused her to drop the ring immediately.  This on the surface, may seem like a negative.  However, by adding a "I don't want this" sound, in addition to my "I like this and you have earned a treat!" sound helps the dog to identify incorrect behaviors, therefore arriving at the desired result more quickly.

     After the second "Eh", Grace modified by tossing the ring slightly as she dropped it.  Instantly I praised and gave her 2 treats!  We worked on the light toss a few times in a row and then took a short break.

     Before beginning our next session I found a large lid to an antique tin, approximately 8 inches in diameter. The lid was going to be my "goal", where I wanted Grace to toss her ring.  Eventually, I can adapt these skills to several cute and useful tasks ("Put your toys away!" for example).  When I first placed the tin lid on the ground, I dropped the ring into it, and immediately praised and treated Grace.  I did this 3 times in a row.  Initially, she only saw me dropping it in to earn the treat.  However, she is very skillful at modifying when given enough clues about her surroundings, so I was able to use this "shortcut" that may confuse other dogs.

It's not perfect, but it's close!

     I then placed the ring on the ground close to her and the tin lid a few inches away, closer to me, and waited.  Grace laid down and looked at the ring, and then the tin lid, and then at me.  This is always the hardest part for me: I wanted to cheer her on!  But I knew if I did, it would only hamper the process.

     She gingerly plucked the ring from the ground.  And dropped it with a clatter.  I held my breath...

     Again, she held it delicately.  This time, she moved her head slightly and flicked it slightly forward!  It did not land squarely in the tin lid, but it hit it with a satisfying "Clang!" and laid on the edge.  "YES!!!" Jackpot!

     It still needs some work- her aim is off, but we have got a solid start!