On this weblog I shared how I used to be plateauing in clicker coaching Rita. Rita continues to be unapproachable at this level, nevertheless we made nice progress within the weeks I’ve been coaching her!
Solely two weeks in the past I began to understand that I used to be beginning to plateau in coaching. I didn’t see progress anymore, one thing that may be a clear signal of heading in the direction of the tip of a lifeless finish avenue. It is advisable to flip round! That’s arduous as a result of it’s important to let go of your strategy and that may be a psychological threshold for a coach!
Learn right here how the meals puzzles helped lower stress and enhance studying. One of many milestones was that Rita stepped on the mat! Not as soon as, however a number of occasions! I couldn’t bridge it (that might be too tense for Rita, see this weblog), however the truth that she supply this completely new behaviour a number of occasions is a enormous leap ahead!
The HippoLogic Clicker Coaching technique I train 6 Key Classes, primary behaviours for horses, with the intention to simply practice advanced behaviours sooner or later. For Rita I believed Mat coaching could be too superior, however she proved me fallacious! She stepped onto the mat a number of occasions. Solely as a result of I shifted my focus from Outcomes (and utilizing bridges (Clicks) and Appetitives (meals rewards to bolster the specified behaviour) to Relationship (how can I make her really feel extra comfy with me).
The opposite factor Rita shocked me with was that she picked up the material that I hid meals below! For a second I feared it was unintentional and made her spook, however fortunately that didn’t occur!
This tells me a lot, that I can use in her coaching:
- She’s studying and her thoughts is opening up. She presents new behaviours! Which is nice information for her additional coaching course of
- She doesn’t spook as a lot by objects which might be unexpectedly moved by herself as those which might be moved by people (nonetheless engaged on that)
- She’s not afraid of things she strikes intentionally (has management over)
- She’s means much less confused with the meals puzzles, so bridging and providing meals is off the desk in close to future coaching classes.
Trick coaching could be one other strategy to get an animal engaged in coaching (once more). The truth that Rita liked touching the mats along with her lips and stepping onto them and that she took the material in her mouth, provides me loads concepts of conserving her engaged in coaching.
Management as Appetitive
Additionally, if she will use methods as a option to talk and provoke interactions with people, that might give her a robust software in fingers! Then she’s extra in management and in a extra constructive means than utilizing her flight to maintain management over the scenario. Now she simply runs at all times if she doesn’t wish to have interaction (and he or she chooses musts typically to not at this level).
Giving your animal Management (over their physique’s, the coach, the scenario) and selections, you give the animal highly effective instruments. Instruments that assist construct belief the place there’s none and methods to speak. It will lower general stress in a traumatized animal and improve their welfare. That is what I’ve seen again and again working with traumatized animals and the ability of constructive reinforcement. Let me know in order for you me to elaborate on that. I’ve loads of experiences to share about this subject.
Are you a compassionate horse proprietor who likes to study and wish to get private teaching in a bunch? Do you wish to have entry to on-line clicker coaching programs and a wonderful, supportive R+ group, then be a part of our HippoLogic Clicker Coaching Academy. Try the hyperlink!
Or begin with a free clicker coaching evaluation to get style of what it feels prefer to work with me. Uncover your sturdy factors and weaker factors in coaching (you probably have some) in order that you realize what to focus extra on, with a purpose to get the outcomes you need.
After your evaluation you’ve a transparent plan and know precisely what the next move will probably be with a purpose to accomplish your dream behaviours along with your horse. E-book right here
Completely happy Horse coaching!
Sandra Poppema, B.Sc., founding father of HippoLogic & HippoLogic Clicker Coaching Academy
