Timing is everything in dog training. Using a reward marker allows the dog to clearly understand what the desired action is, and what he’s getting rewarded for.
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Acknowledgements
While I have learned from many dog trainers over the years, a few stand out. Thanks to Glen Johnson, who early in the 80s taught me about inducive training. And also to Bill Dotson, who introduced us to Schutzhund and Search & Rescue.
Thanks Tracey Louper for letting me help teach classes, and being my friend and sounding board for new dog training ideas.
Special thanks to friend and mentor Michael Ellis. Michael is a gifted dog trainer and teacher, and almost everything I use and teach these days comes from Michael.
And thanks to Ivan Balabanov, who started our club, Big Sky Schutzhund Club, on the way to becoming thinking dog trainers.
Class Notes: Beginning Agility
Shaping teaches a complex behaviour by progressively and selectively rewarding any action that takes the dog closer to the desired final action.