How to shape your dog to go to a mat (2018)

This is a rebroadcast of a previous episode-- we're sharing it because shaping is today's challenge in our Dog Training in 21 Days Challenge on Instagram. Join the challenge! Tag us and use use hashtag #dt21days. Through the end of this month, use code DT21DAYS to get our full Dog Training In 21 Days Course for free at http://schoolforthedogs.com/dt21days. Special announcements: We are now taking applications to our Dog Training Professional Program, which is fully remote this year. If you're interested in becoming a dog trainer -- and maybe even working for School For The Dogs some day -- visit http://schoolforthedogs.com/professionalcourse. Applications are due May 1. Also: Do you have pet insurance? Tell us about it and get $5 off your next purchase at http://storeforthedogs.com. Go to: https://www.schoolforthedogs.com/petinsuranceAbout this episode: "Shaping" is simply the process of breaking a behavior down to its smallest components and slowly raising your criteria in order to build new behaviors. By reinforcing successive approximations, it's possible to train dogs to do almost anything they are physically capable of doing! In this episode, Annie goes over some key things to think when shaping a new behavior, and describes how to shape a dog to go to a mat, or what she calls a "sticky spot." A dog who knows how to go to a mat will make an excellent guest at holiday dinners: You can "shape" a pup to have a specific spot where he will have learned to stay put and be calm, no matter how good that stuffing smells!Transcript and show notes at: https://www.schoolforthedogs.com/podcasts/episode-33-how-to-shape-your-dog-to-go-to-a-mat-and-to-be-a-polite-thanksgiving-guest/ Get full access to Don't Be a Dick to Your Dog at dogtraining.substack.com/subscribe