I find it fascinating how training techniques that work are continually re-discovered by different trainers for different species.

“The post describes how she uses Touch to give Sadie something to do with that nervous energy. Instead of freaking out and barking at a scary trash can, she learns that she can touch it with her nose and mommy will feed her!”

This is a sometimes used technique in the horse world, as horses can be incredibly nervous and reactive with scary objects. Clicker trainer Alexandra Kurland calls it the “touch the goblins” game and even traditional horse trainers use it when addressing fear (trainer pat parelli calls it the “put your nose on it” game.)

I think it works so well because it teaches the animal something productive to do to earn reinforcement, rather than just letting the animal be reactive. Also, by letting our animals approach and touch things on their own, we minimize the amount of forced novelty. (I wrote recently on my blog about how terrifying forced novelty can be! http://stalecheerios.com/blog/2009/04/what-makes-something-scary/)

Anyways, I enjoyed this post and will have to bookmark your blog. Keep up the good work!

cheers,

Mary H.