This lovely, happy dog has learned a new trick with Bridge and Target training. Can you hear the trainer saying, "ggggggggggg - Good"? Well, it may not seem like much, but it's an important communicator to this eager worker that he's on track.
This is a novel concept, using an intermediate bridge between the target and the reinforcement marker. Sort of a "you are on the right track-keep up the good work" communicator. It has proven very effective in communicating difficult concepts to animals.
I first ran across the "Bridge and Target" concept a few years ago while I was researching the sport of Canine Freestyle. I found Charlene Dunlap's site, which you can view, here http://www.caninehorizons.com/Training_Clips.html .
Next week, as a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Counselors, I will begin a course taught by Kayce Cover who developed the Bridge and Target concepts over years of working with many different animal species. You can view her video clips here: http://synalia.com/videos
I look forward to teaching my own dogs some new, fun things and adding this proficiency to my bag of tricks for clients and their pets.
2 comments:
Hi Catherine,
I received your letter about the pig getting a hoof trim. Did you mean to say it took only five minutes of work??!! If so, that's wonderful! When I was in school, we learned that pigs can be particularly susceptible to death from anesthesia. You may have really helped her by arming your friend with an easy way to talk her into getting her hooves trimmed.
I look forward to the IAABC guided study, and to working together. Thanks very much for sharing your great news, and for helping me spread the word.
That's what he told me... I am hoping he'll get a video to share, when he does the other hooves. It's nearly a miracle! Can't wait to learn more. Thanks!
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