What does free shaping entail?

• A. No instruction, cues or input is given, except for the clicker
• B. The dog is guided with a lure
• C. The trainer uses punishment
• D. The dog is rewarded only after a fixed time

Answer: (A)

Free shaping is a training approach where the dog is not guided or prompted in any way. The only input from the trainer is a clicker to mark an acceptable behavior, and then a reward. The dog is encouraged to explore and try different behaviors, and gradually those that move toward the desired goal are reinforced as the trainer builds up successive approximations to the final behavior. This method relies on the dog’s own problem-solving and offers a high level of independence, which is why it avoids using lures, verbal or physical prompts, or punishment, and it isn’t about rewarding the dog after a fixed interval.