Shaping
A teaching technique in which the dog experiments with behaviours on their own, and we reward the ones we want to see more of.
Shaping (also "free shaping") is the alternative to Luring. The dog isn't led — they get a space in which they figure out the answer for themselves.
In practice:
- You set up a situation in front of the dog (e.g. a mat on the floor) and wait.
- Every attempt in the right direction = Marker + Reward. Even a glance at the mat to begin with.
- You raise the criterion gradually — from a glance, to a step toward the mat, to lying on it in full position.
- You don't help with a Cue, a Hand Cue, or luring.
Why it's worth it: behaviours built through Shaping are much stronger and more resistant to distractions. The dog "discovered" them, so they belong to the dog — not to your treat-holding hand.
When NOT to use it: with dogs who give up easily (they stop trying after 2–3 misses), in acute fear cases, when you need a fast result (e.g. teaching the dog to get off the couch because someone's about to come greet them). In those cases use Luring first, and add Shaping later to lock the behaviour in.