My Ahah Moment

Tonight I suddenly figured out something that had escaped me before.  I've been wondering why it is that Gimme is so good about stimulus control on some things and so awful on others.  There are things that I've put a cue on that she never questions and sticks with me and then there are the others...

It occurred to me tonight that the behaviors which Gimme has difficulty ceding control are all behaviors we created through free-shaping.  Every last one of them.  I suspect that in her mind, part of the picture of that behavior is the offering of it.  I'm definitely going to talk to Ursula about that.  I've been diligently working on the things she and I discussed in that private, but we are only making a smidgen of progress. 

Any behavior we created through luring, targeting or guides - those she generally is good with.  Though if she gets frustrated during a training session, all listening goes out the window.  Boy I'd sure hate to have to give up free-shaping.  Gimme is so good at it and so creative.  She's also mighty creative in coming up with clever embellishments on any behavior I'm teaching through other means as well.

We've been working on backing up using the guides.  She figured it out so quickly.  Now though she's in embellishment mode.  Who knew there were so many ways to move backward.  I swear she just sprinkles a little pixie dust around and that's why she is so bewitching.

Another project we have going is teaching her to close the door - after all, she is the one that keeps leaving it open.  We are on day two and she already has a strong idea of what to do.  What a character...