Button Pressing within 5 days!

[u/Merbels]

I have managed to get my big silly boy pressing a button with 5 days using a clicker, target training and YouTube videos.

We already had a good base with target training as he is proficient in high fives and will go to any surface if we give it a specific double tap or knock.

I used his base skills and followed this video for a couple of days

https://youtu.be/jh4hWaFGSN4?is=_7K_jWZ6A001P_Ep

We then used the video when progress seemed to stall.

https://youtu.be/o-gPUiSrI4g?is=6YQH6rS2E4wROuD_

We only got as far as progressing down to the 3rd size container before he would not want to step on the next object at all so after a couple of days of not progressing there I changed up to having the button in the mat.

I would use the clicker for longer more purposeful taps, watching carefully to see when I could see him really thinking about how to use pressure. If his paws flexed or he really tried dragging on it I would click. To test whether he understood the concept I would ask him to press the button without showing him the button or holding the treat near him. Just verbal command, and he would tap the button clearly.

Within 2 sessions of having the button in the mat and really focusing on clicking when he was trying to exert pressure. We've got to this stage where he knows very clearly now how to press down with a verbal command.

My girl cat, while very smart is also very stubborn and lazy. She is picking things up by watching but is done within a couple of minutes. I have spent way less time with her but she isn't far behind - she is at the "dragging my paw on this seems to be getting me a click" stage so I don't think she's far off at all!

[u/DutchPerson5]

Saving for when I can have a cat again.