In a previous column, I mentioned a training technique called shaping. Using shaping to teach a dog to do something is a test of dog training skill and patience. I find it is a great way to get my dog to think about what we are doing, not just reacting to a lure or physical cue. It seems to me that commands taught by shaping remain more solid in the dog's behavioral repertoire.

Shaping is breaking a behavior in to its smallest components. The dog is rewarded for finding each piece. Each component is built on the previous part until the big picture emerges. Sound confusing? Let me give an example.

An important behavior you can shape is eye contact. I like dogs to watch me. Dogs are thinking about what they are looking at. If they look at me, I have their attention. I can readily train a dog that gives me eye contact.

I start out in a small, distraction free area. I get out my clicker and some treats. (If you do not want to click, you can substitute the word "yes" anywhere I say click. A click or the word yes is the promise of a reward.) In this boring area, I stand or sit still and wait. At some point, the dog will look up at my face. At that instant, I click and toss a treat! My criterion is only that the dog looks at my eyes, even for a brief instant. The dog will go get the treat. I stand still again. Eventually, the dog will look at me again. Another click and treat. I repeat the process until the dog immediately returns to watching me. This really does not take very long. Dogs are great experimenters and will quickly figure out they get a reward by looking at my eyes, assuming I am clicking only when they make eye contact.

At this point in training, I have not said a word. I may smile to let the dog know I am happy, but I do not want chatter to interrupt his concentration.

I now have a dog eagerly seeking eye contact. My next step is to increase to amount of time he will watch me. I do that by waiting a second or two before clicking. I steadily add a few second at a time. When the dog will watch me for five to ten seconds, I add the word. I say 'Watch" while the dog is looking into my eyes.

You notice, I teach the dog to do what I want and then I add the verbal cue. This is an important training concept. If I say "watch, watch, watch" and the dog is looking everywhere but at me, what does watch mean. Obviously, the dog does not know!

This is only the tip of the dog training iceberg. If you are interested in finding out more about shaping and training, join one of my classes at Pawprints. I teach a logical progression of commands and cues that make your dog a fabulous pet using force free methods.

Cissy Sumner of Best Behavior Dog Training is Vero's first Certified Pet Dog Trainer. If you have a training or behavior question, email Cissy at bbdogtraining@bellsouth.net. Visit www.pawprintsofverobeach.com for group training information. Private training is available by appointment.