Description
A target can be our goal, or an object and the verb, to target, can mean a laser controlled missile or the dog’s paw on your shoe.
Target training encompasses 1000s of possibilities.
Teaching a target requires us to plan ahead. What behaviour or action will the dog perform when the target is presented? This can vary from follow, touching, walking backwards, circling, looking, carrying, pulling, jumping, go under, holding, tapping, pushing, leaning, lying, sitting, resting, standing. What specific part of the dog focuses to the target? This can vary from a specific paw, their chin, the bridge of the nose, their shoulder, all four feet, only two feet.
Targets a usually temporary cues that initiate the desired behaviours whilst we build the strength, consistency and quality of the behaviour. This can vary from 2 weeks to 2 years depending on the complexity of the training.
Targets are cues, excellent cues that are easily recognised, chosen for their presentability, consistency, clarity. We have many to choose from and can choose new targets should we need to. Additionally we lock the behaviours to these targets and can avoid behaviour being offered unless the targets are present.
We need to understand the process of graduating from the target to the long-term, life cue, or performance cue.
Advanced targets where more than one target is present can teach complex behaviour with simplicity for the dog to understand.
Targets are the real Go-To for teaching with clarity and, yep, there are a 1001 possibilities to explore!
Participating with your dog
Participants for this weekend should be Training Geeks – happy to think and talk about training even when they are not training. Dogs suitable for participating should have experience of shaping and building behaviours with markers and frequent, high level reinforcement, and be comfortable working in room with other dogs. The workshop is limited to 10 participants.
Learning by Watching
You may attend as a spectator and your dog may attend if it is comfortable resting in the car during the workshop. You are likely to learn just as much as participants without the anxieties of participating. Use the coupon code “watch” at the checkout for a 45% spectator discount.