Category: Conformation ¤
  Author: Chip ? (help me out! I need a last name.) ¤
   Title: Ears Up! ¤

>Wendy Rossler <wrossler@mlc.awinc.com> wrote:
>Subject: clicking for ears ??
>
>
>Hi :
>I am new to "Clicker Training", but have learned alot from this list.
Maybe
>you more experienced people out there can give me some idea's on how to
>"Clicker Train" my Doberman to put her ears up for a picture  or on
>command??  

Wendy,

I've used my clicker to teach our Chinese Crested to self stack in the
conformation ring.  The hardest part for her was her ears, which she
didn't hold correctly until we focused on them.  I used shaping the
behavior, with the clicker - ie: c/t just the beginning of the final
behavior at first (any upward movement of the ears), then gradually
require more and more of what you want as a final product before you
click.  I required that the ears both go higher, then stay up longer
before the c/t.  Now Mercedes (at 11 months) self stacks, holds her head
and ears correct, struts in a perfect gait, and shows like a BIS veteran
when we go in the ring!  I do still carry the clicker in the ring
(allowed in conformation) and if Mercedes attention wavers, the sight of
the clicker or our code "show it" gets her back to strutting her stuff
very quickly!!!!  :-)

Since the pose you want for the photo is basically the same as a
conformation show stack, just shape the behavior.  Once the behavior is
formed you can add a command "ears", "look" or whatever.  In our case,
if you stand out of the picture, in the direction you want the dog to
look, and hold up the clicker, you get the shot you want.

	Chip