FE345: Imitation and Mimicry - You Can Do It

This week continue to generalize your dog’s mimic cue, as you continue to work all 6 behaviors in random order and quantity. Remember to keep your sessions short. You might even consider taking a day or two off. Allow your dog’s brain to rest a bit. This is hard work!

More ways to generalize:

Have someone else give the demonstrations:  If you have a helper that can do the same demonstrations, this can be a great way to test, strengthen and generalize your dog’s understanding of their mimic cue. Be sure to coach your helper well. Have them do a session just with known cues to ensure the dog will respond to those.  Work with the new handler on the demonstrations before you bring in the dog. And how to support with the known cue if needed. Work 3 to start, then see if you can change out to add the 4th, 5th and 6th.  Not everyone has a helper available so don’t worry if you don’t.

Use different props:  Try changing out your props.  If you have been using a cone for going around, use a chair or a coat rack. Will your dog still go around it on your mimic cue?  If you have been using a particular target to step on, use something else.  If you have been asking him to pick up an object, can you change out the object?  The process is still the same.

Support with the known cue if needed.

Try not to do more than 2 repetitions of the same behavior in a row

Start over if there is an error

Keep your sessions short, and take a break if your dog seems stressed

Same prop, different behavior:  Try using the same prop for two different behaviors.  In the below vid you’ll see me ask Kashi to do both 2-feet up and go around the same stool. 

Sequence of two behaviors:  If your dog knows spin and four up on a table, can you jump on the table and spin for him to mimic? Which (if any) of the 6 behaviors your dog knows now, could you sequence together?  This is hard! And you may choose to remind them with their 2 cues.

The below vid is 3 sessions where I was generalizing several behaviors and had a couple of surprises!  The sit pretty was a brand-new behavior to her (untrained prior to her mimicking me in a previous session) and added to the mix.  You can see, that not un-like shaped behaviors she wants to offer it.

The circling me was on a whim. Something we had talked about in my live class as to whether a dog could understand this as a concept (I circle you, you circle me).  I was shocked when she did it.  Jumping the jar was a surprise as well, so we went with it!

You’ll also see some errors that have likely occurred for you, that have also occurred in my sessions as well.

Towards the end of week 4, start to consider what new (unknown) behaviors you want to work with your dog to mimic.  Think of the issues you ran into the last few weeks. Consider how your choice of new behavior will be demonstrated. You might start with something that is known yet in a brand-new context. For example, if your dog has mimicked you pushing something such as a ball or rolled up mat, can you push a cabinet door closed for him to mimic?  If he knows how to mimic you picking something up, can he mimic you picking it up and putting it in a box?

Before trying any brand new behaviors, assess your 6 current behaviors and try some of this week’s exercises.  Don’t rush!  It will happen when it happens.  And remember:

Support with the known cue if needed.

Try not to do more than 2 repetitions of the same behavior in a row

Start over if there is an error

Keep your sessions short, and take a break if your dog seems under stress