8 Reasons to Train Your Service Dog with Shaping
What is Shaping? Shaping is a form of service dog training using successive approximation. When shaping, we reinforce tiny steps towards a goal behavior. We mark and reward (e.g., click, then treat) for minuscule increments along the path, rewarding many times for any step toward the larger goal. Once your dog has mastered offering the … 8 Reasons to Train Your Service Dog with Shaping Read More »
Joy and Kisses — Remembering Frankie Mazzei
As a service dog trainer, I have the privilege of working with a lot of wonderful people and dogs. I grow very fond of all the service dog teams I train with, but sometimes there is a team with whom I forge a special connection. That was true with Frankie Mazzei, a disabled veteran, and … Joy and Kisses — Remembering Frankie Mazzei Read More »
3 Surprising Results of Positive Reinforcement Training For Service Dogs.
Should you only use positive reinforcement to train your service dog? Or will combining rewards and corrections provide greater reliability? By Sharon Wachsler CPDT-KA KPA-CTP If you are training your own service dog, or thinking of taking this journey, you should know how using exclusively positive reinforcement training can affect you and your dog. As … 3 Surprising Results of Positive Reinforcement Training For Service Dogs. Read More »