Rewards

Rewards for Jolene.  If Jolene wants out of her crate she sits.  In turn, I open the door.  I never teach my dogs sit on command with a verbal but I like them to understand their actions can lead to the results they seek.  Be it getting out of a crate, access to sheep, or a chance to play with another dog.   By consistently rewarding for the sit/crate door opens I never have to say sit.  I could if I wanted but honestly I never teach my dogs "sit" by command.   I generally don't teach a "down" on a verbal command either.  I want to do that on sheep but, that said, that is the first behavior I shape with the clicker. But it is in context of hanging out.  For example, if I'm sitting at my desk or watching tv I will reward all downs whilst we hangout.  More on that later.

Why no commands?  I ask the dogs to give me so much when working sheep that I like my dogs to have a lot of freedom to just be a dog when they aren’t working.  So I shape good behavor even if I don’t nessessarity ask for it.  I expect it without needing to ask, if you will.