Lesson One...

Tonight was our 1st "training" session. I use the word training loosely because really all it amounts to is behaviour shaping with a clicker. No words, no cues - just Vida exploring her behavioural repertoire to see what elicits a click.

For Vida, she has demonstrated that she already knows that click = yummy treat! Sometimes one, sometimes a whole bunch. This training concept is called classical conditioning-first demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov and his dogs.

Anyways, armed with a hot dog cut into tiny pieces, a hungry puppy, a clicker and some patience we tested the waters tonight.

My criteria was fairly simple - eye contact with me while I am sitting....

Vida did well. Her food drive isn't quite as intense as my male's, but hopefully that will develop over time. Within 4 repeats, I had an unwavering puppy gaze in my eyes.

I attempted a photo of this eye contact - unfortunately, I was too slow and all I got was a puppy with a vice like grip on the camera cord.