Testing a new training idea

Xmas is an intense little chap and frustration comes easily, so this weekend's conference combined with the seminar earlier in the week inspired me to try something different. 

Xmas now have a bed available at the training venue. Whenever he chooses to go there, he will be reinforced (get treats).

So if I ask something of him, that he doesn't want to do, he always has the option of going to the bed and be rewarded for that.

This gives him a way to communicate to me, if he's unhappy with the training and hopefully it will eventually also decrease frustration. After all influence on your situation is important to all living beings. 

He showed me today that he does understand the possibility of opting out as he didn't want his coat on  so when I picked it up, he went to his bed and was reinforced for that. He sat there for a little while and then he came back, had his coat on and was rewarded with a toy.

I'm looking forward to see how this develops. 

See you tomorrow 
Emmy and the Hazyland Boys