FE585: Modifier Cues

VARYING WHICH OBJECT BECOMES SMALLEST: Teaching Small As A Relative Concept
We started the introduction to small with Part 1 by taking the small object known as #1 and compared it only to the large object #4/#5 (depending on the # of objects in your groupings), having our dog indicate as we moved position and location. We used the same format with each of your object groups, only using #1 and #5.

 

In Part 2, still using #1 as the correct small object we began introducing and comparing the other sized objects #2, #3, #4/#5 but still maintaining #1 as the correct object to be indicated by your dog. By this point your dog should have the understanding that #1 is considered the small object no matter which other object it is paired with. However, only using #1 as the comparison does not allow our dogs to understand that size is a relative concept and will change based on the objects presented. For instance, #1 is small relative to #2, #3 is small relative to #4 and so on.

 

We now need to progress past using only the smallest of our objects so we can teach our dog that the idea of small is not tied to one specific object (ball, cube, cone, cylinder) and not one specific size, but that it is a relative concept based on what is presented.

 

YOU NEED:
Your dog, treat pouch, clicker, YUMMY treats (easily swallowed – I do not recommend crunchy treats), video camera, training plan, 4/5 different-sized objects i.e. 5 cylinders, 5 boxes, 5 cones (any 5 objects as long as they are similar in shape but graduated in size from small to large), Station for your dog

 

KEEPING WITH THE PLAN:
The 5 similar but different sized objects we will be using will be referred to as #1 thru #5; #1 being the smallest of the objects and #5 being the largest of the objects. You will continue with the modifier cue you have chosen i.e. “small”.

 

We will continue to use a very small directional finger prompt as we did when introducing the “small” modifier. You may use a prompt if you feel it will assist or dog or is needed in the beginning stage. Remember to quickly fade your directional prompt. Rember not to hold your prompt nor touch the object your dog will be indicating with your hand.   The sequence of cues and andy prompts is very important. As usual your modifier will come first, followed with prompt and verbal “touch” cue (for those dogs who are quick the prompt may come at the same time as the verbal “touch” cue.  

 

DOG’S INDICATOR:
You will continue to use the nose touch as this allows for greater variability of objects and safety for our dogs. It is not recommended to change indicators at this time. I would save the change in indicator for a totally new set of objects or a new work setup.

NOTE: You may later choose to investigate a paw target or even a retrieve but for this exercise please only use a nose touch to target the objects.

 

WORK SETUP:
You may choose to sit on a stool or sit on the floor. Facing your dog on their station, place object #2 and object #5 (or #4 based on the number of objects in your group) in front of you. Make sure all objects, including the #1 object (previously the smallest object) are out of sight or reach of your dog.

Your dog should still be close in front for easy targeting and rewarding but on their station, and they will return to the station after each rep.

NOTE: We want our dogs to nose touch, but if you think your dog will be inclined to paw or overly knock at the objects rather than touch with their nose, you could opt for a raised work space, but only if you believe this will be a problem. Otherwise, the objects should be on the floor.

 

ASSUMPTION: For ease of instruction, I will assume you have 5 objects in your groupings. If you have opted to limit your groupings to 4 objects simply substitute the #4 whenever #5 is mentioned in the instructions.  More objects will allow for greater variation.  

 

PART 1 – A New Small Object
Your dog will now be learning that a different sized object can be considered small so at first you may need to prompt. If you are using a prompt you initially may need to give one that is a bit more distinct that a simple head turn. You may find you require an actual directional point. Quickly fade your prompt as soon as possible.

1. Place object #2 and #5 in front of your dog cue “small” followed by your directional prompt if needed.
   
   
2. Click and treat for a correct choice.
   
   
3. Repeat 3 or more times until your dog is touching the small object, each and every time, without any hesitation.
   
   
4. Switch positions of the two objects and repeat Steps 1 and 2.
   1. Cue “small” followed by, if needed, a pointed finger prompt at the small object
   2. Click and treat when dog touches the small object
   3. Begin to vary and randomize the location/positions of these #2 and #5 objects

5.Begin to randomize the location/position of these #2 and #5 objects

a. Sometimes closer to the dog and other times further away
b. The small object should change locations randomly (right, left, close, far)

 

PROMPTING NOTE: If you have found it necessary and have been using a prompt you need to begin to fade it, gradually reducing any movement whatsoever toward the correct object. Your goal is to eventually be able to simply use the modifier followed by the action cue “small-touch.”

Fading out prompts faster is always good however, only fade them when you are sure your dog is showing they truly understand that the new object #2 is now the small object.

 

6. Substitute object #5 with other numbered objects from time to time.

a. The small #2 object will remain and always be available as the correct small choice.
b. An example of pairing would be: #2 and #4, #2 and #3, #2 and #5

 

7. Move to Step 8 only IF your dog can reliably touch the correct object 10 times in a row in varying positions and locations without the necessity of a prompt and only requires the verbal cue of “Small – Touch”

 

8. Place out object #1 again along with one other object that is NOT #2 (i.e. #1 and #4, #1 and #3, #1 and #5)

a. Cue “Small – Touch” and ONLY prompt if needed
b. Click and treat correct response
c. Dog returns to the station
d. Repeat, varying location/position of objects

 

9. When your dog is again reliably touching the #1 object with only the verbal cue “Small – Touch” repeat Step 8 again using object #2

 

10. Now alternate presenting either object #1 or object #2 with any of the larger objects.

a. Sequence could be #1 and #4, then #2 and #5, #2 and #3, #1 and #3
b. Your dog should make the correct choice without hesitation
c. You should not require a prompt

 

11. Repeat Steps 1 thru 5 using now using object #3 as the small object and #4 or #5 as the other choice.

a. Prompt only if necessary
b. Continue all thru all 5 steps until your dog is reliably

 

12.  ONLY DO THIS STEP IF YOU HAVE 5 OBJECTS IN YOUR GROUPINGS:  Repeat Steps 1 to 5 using object #4 as the small object and object #5 as the other choice. You will probably not have to prompt at all, but it is best to be prepared to do so if your dog requires assistance. Continue through all 5 of the steps until your dog is responding reliably to “small-touch” with object #4.

 

VARYING SMALL:
Now that you have worked each object, #1 thru #3, individually, you are now ready to vary small by randomly alternating objects #1, #2, and #3 being paired with the #5 object. An error or two is to be expected but if your dog begins making more than the occasional error, you will need to back up and re-affirm his understanding of small with the object that may be giving him the problem.

 

This step is to test your dog's understanding of small relative to the other objects no matter which one it happens to be paired with.  You will be alternating between all four choices in various combinations (NOTE: if 4 objects in the grouping you will only have three choices in combinations). The goal of this exercise is that your dog should choose the smallest object in any possible combination of the 5 objects.

Example of Random sequence: #1 to #5, #3 to #5, #2 to #5, #4 to #5, #2 to #5, #1 to #5

1. Place #1 with #5 in front of your dog

2. Give cue "small - touch", C/T correct response

3. Dog returns to the station- reinforce on the station

4. Switch position of #5 and introduce object #3

5. Repeat C/T for correct choices

6. Randomize the position of #5 as you randomly introduce the "smaller" objects.

 

Here is an example of cylinders #3 relative to #4 and then #1 relative to #2  You can see Piper doesn't seem to have any issues recognizing which object is the smaller object of the two as I switch between the sets.  Again the cylinders not being currently used should actually have been placed out of sight or on their sides so they're less noticable - although it didn't seem to cause any issue for Piper but worth considering if you're dog is drawn to the other objects.

 

This is our second session of randomizing cylinders relative to sizes.  This time I did more switching within the session and Piper aside from a little anticipation was able to be correct in her choices. The reliability of correct choices is indicating I could move to the next step of introducing an additional cylinder to the lineup but I will choose to do a couple more sessions before taking that leap.

 

 

ADDING MORE CHOICES:
Early on I noted that our dogs learn quickly when there are limited choices i.e. left or right, small or large.  So far that's all we have been giving them with the Small vs. Large modifier training scenario.  Now it is time to start testing their understanding of small even further by giving them more than just two choices in their lineup. 

 

You will now provide a scenario of a third, fourth or even fifth object in the line up at one time.  Although you can most definitely introduce more objects earlier on in the process I recommend and find it is more advantageous to wait until your dog has a full understanding of small and does not require any further prompting. Otherwise, it can be difficult to completely fade out directional prompts and you may find yourself prompting for each change in working scenario.

 

When adding the additional objects to your line-up you are creating a completely different scenario from any previous sessions so it is best to be prepared to possibly have to give an extremely slight prompt.  Placing the objects 8 or more inches apart in the beginning stage can help highlight the differences in size.

 

STEPS TO ADDING ADDITIONAL OBJECTS IN THE LINE-UP

1. Place #1, #3 and #5 in a row approximately 8 inches or more apart.  (correct choice will be #1)

2. Give cue "small - touch", C/T correct choice

3. Dog returns to station - reinforce on station

4. Repeat and step 1-3 as you randomize positions of objects #1, #3 and #5

5. Repeat steps 1-4 inserting other sized objects (i.e. #2, #4 and #5)

1. Continue to randomize the position of objects through each step or progression of adding additional objects.

6. Gradually increase the number of objects until your full complement of 5 objects is presented.

NOTE:  At this point your dog should not require any prompting however, as always be ready to assist if absolutely necessary or you find yourself in an error loop.

The limitation on the number of objects will depend on how far you wish to take this exercise but be aware the larger the number the greater the possibility for directional prompting needing to be re-inserted.

 

After progressing through the above, which should go quite quickly, we will then move onto training Large.  Generally, training large will be done using the same format we used to first introduce small.