Shaping: A Powerful DOG TRAINING Technique You Need to Know

Having spent over ten years as a professional dog trainer, I’ve noticed that most pet owners use lure/reward training for teaching new tricks. However, I want to let you in on a secret – shaping is a more potent technique! As force-free trainers, we use shaping to teach complex behaviors that go beyond simple tricks.

Lisa Gallegos, CPDT-KA

If you’re ready to make the most out of your pup’s potential, read on to learn more about shaping!

In this post, we’ll explore how shaping works and how it can help you polish your dog’s skills and behaviors.

Let’s get started!

What is Shaping?

Shaping is a positive reinforcement technique that rewards your dog for each small step towards the final behavior you want them to learn. By breaking down the desired behavior into achievable steps, shaping helps your dog gradually understand and master the complete behavior.

Why use shaping to dog train?

There are several benefits to shaping (like not having to fade a lure so your dog doesn’t depend on having to see a treat), but the drawback is that it can require a lot of patience the first few times. Nonetheless, some behaviors literally cannot be lured.

For example, asking your dog to pick up on object, would be something I’d teach with shaping.

How Does Shaping Work?

In order to start shaping your dog’s skills, choose a behavior that can be broken down into smaller achievable actions. Then, follow these simple steps:

• Break the behavior down into smaller steps.
• Capture and reward your dog’s naturally performed desired actions.
• Gradually increase the criteria for rewards.
• Refine and repeat the process in small increments.

Benefits of Shaping

Shaping offers several advantages in dog training:

• Encourages Creativity: Shaping allows dogs to think and problem-solve.
• Builds Confidence: Successful approximations lead to increased motivation and a positive learning experience.
• Precision Training: Shaping enables specific behaviors to be trained with precision.
• Enhances Communication: Shaping promotes clear communication with your dog, creating a harmonious and cooperative training environment.

TRY SHAPING WITH YOUR DOG

As you can see, shaping is a powerful technique that can help you polish your dog’s skills and behaviors. With patience, consistency, timing, and the right rewards, you’ll see your furry friend grow in confidence and ability.

If you want to see how I use shaping to train fun tricks like ‘turn off the lights’ or ‘fetch the remote’ I cover all of these tricks in my Party Tricks Training Course on my mobile app.

Gain access to my course with 30+ fun tricks for shaping your dog’s behavior! Learn unique strategies to make training more engaging and enjoyable, and bond with your furry friend like never before.

Happy shaping!