Lately I’ve been playing 86 Things to Do with a Box with everyone. When I began training the boys, and Chester, I used a lot of luring: using a treat to lure the behavior I wanted.

The box game helps to teach them to offer new behaviors; i.e., think a little bit for themselves. I had tried it with the boys long ago, but didn’t get much behaviors — or so I thought. I probably just didn’t realize what I was getting. Or maybe I’ve just become a better trainer.

Simba & Gizmo actually offer quite a few behaviors. Of course they get right into the box; they’re cats, after all. I’ve been shaping a little turning around in the box with them. Chester will offer a lot of behaviors, too; you can just see the wheels turning around in his mind (although he does get frustrated when what worked before doesn’t work any longer).

Lola, predictably, isn’t quite sure what to do. She gets so excited when she gets a click, but she shuts down pretty fast when the next click doesn’t come fast or I hold out for a new behavior. Part of it is just her nature, but part of it is probably also the fact that I’ve had the least amount of time to work with her.

Speaking of Lola, here she is with Daddy. Almost every day when he comes home, she runs over to him, waiting to be told she can jump in his lap. She usually jumps up & sits there happily with a great big doggy grin, but I just wasn’t able to capture it (this time).

It’s only taken 6 animals, but we finally have one that just loves her Daddy! On the weekends, when I let him sleep in a bit, she’ll just go over to the shut bedroom door & lay down — and sometimes whine. She wants to go in & wake up her Daddy!

She is, at least, content to be with me also. She’s fine when he’s away on his frequent business trips. I didn’t travel often while I was still working, but I did have the occasional business trip. I shudder to think how Chester would cope if I were the one traveling.

Technorati Tags: 86 Things to Do with a Box, luring, behavior, behaviors

Related posts: