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Old 12-12-2010, 05:16 PM   #4
QuickSilver
Thor's Human
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: San Francisco, CA
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If you are positive she knows the command cold, start treating intermitantly. Keep the treats nearby so she can see/smell them. Then start gradually cutting back on the frequency. The theory is that random reinforcement gets a more consistent response than predictable rewards. Basically, your dog sees you as a giant, talking slot machine.

She probably just needs some more practice on roll over. It took Thor forEVER to learn that because he doesn't like to be on his back, but now he throws himself into it.

FYI, dogs have different levels of "biddability", ie, willingness to obey just for praise versus food. Thor is a total mercenary. I've been thinking about getting a trainer to evaluate whether I can cut back on treats. I *always* have treats on me.

. . . . .

To get a little more technical here, your dog is responding to your primary reinforcer, food. What you want to do now is introduce a second reinforcer, like a clicker, or a specific phrase, like "Good Girl". When she learns that a click/phrase means a treat is coming, you can get her to respond to that, without having food immediately on hand.
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Last edited by QuickSilver; 12-12-2010 at 05:19 PM.
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