In a video demonstration, KPA CTP Jill Guin showcases shaping as she teaches her dog, Billy, to push a dumbbell across the carpet with her nose. Initially, she rewards Billy for simply looking at the dumbbell. As Billy’s natural curiosity leads her to investigate the dumbbell, Jill progresses to clicking and rewarding her for touching her nose to the dumbbell. The ultimate goal is for Billy to roll the dumbbell across the carpet, but Jill emphasizes that the real value is the shaping process itself rather than the final outcome. “The game is to communicate, and you can tell that Billy is having fun!”

If you want to enhance your understanding of modern, effective, positive dog training, build a stronger bond with your dog, or take the next step toward a fulfilling career as a dog trainer, our Dog Trainer courses will support you every step of the way. 

Happy Training!