The Bucket Game
Empowering Not Overpowering
The Bucket Game – The Game of Choice
This fun and easy animal training game is designed to empower the learners.
By creating an environment where our animals have choice and can communicate their intentions to participate. The Bucket Game gives animals the ability to tell us:
The bucket game was designed and brought to the world by Chirag Patel – a training and behaviour expert from Domesticated Manners. Chirag encourages conversations between animals and people.
a. when they are ready to start
b. when they want to take a break
c. when they want to stop
d. when they want us to slow down
The bucket game can be used in many instances, not only for husbandry training and caregiving behaviours, but also as a confidence builder, phobia reducer and for fun.
This game uses shaping, targeting, stationing and many other behavioural principles in a way that makes it fun for both the animal and the care giver.
What you will need:
This fun and easy animal training game is designed to empower the learners.
By creating an environment where our animals have choice and can communicate their intentions to participate. The Bucket Game gives animals the ability to tell us:
- When they are ready to start
- When they need to take a break
- When they want to stop
- When we need to slow down
The bucket game was designed and brought to the world by Chirag Patel – a training and behaviour expert from Domesticated Manners. Chirag encourages conversations between animals and people.
a. when they are ready to start
b. when they want to take a break
c. when they want to stop
d. when they want us to slow down
The bucket game can be used in many instances, not only for husbandry training and caregiving behaviours, but also as a confidence builder, phobia reducer and for fun.
This game uses shaping, targeting, stationing and many other behavioural principles in a way that makes it fun for both the animal and the care giver.
What you will need:
- A bucket (size appropriate for your learner)
- Rewards (high value food or toys)
- A bed/mat or safe place
- Access to water
Step 1: Teaching manners & impulse control around the bucket (put your reinforcement in the bucket)
Start by putting the rewards in the bucket and holding the bucket out to the side.
Reward for looking at the bucket but maintaining some distance from it (20-50cm), with the rewards from the bucket.
You can then put the bucket on the ground/chair and reward the animal for looking at it but not jumping in it.
It doesn’t matter what position your animal is in (sit/down/stand). What you are rewarding for is engagement with the bucket.
Start reinforcing when the animal maintains eye contact with the bucket for longer durations. Don’t increase your criteria too soon or quickly as this may cause your learner confusion.
The animal is allowed to look around between focusing on the bucket – remember this is a game of choice and a conversation between you and them. No need to call them, shake the bucket, tug on lead etc. Let your animal make the choice to engage to participate in the training program.
Allowing access to a bed/mat and water – will give your animal confidence that they can take a break as needed.
Start by putting the rewards in the bucket and holding the bucket out to the side.
Reward for looking at the bucket but maintaining some distance from it (20-50cm), with the rewards from the bucket.
You can then put the bucket on the ground/chair and reward the animal for looking at it but not jumping in it.
It doesn’t matter what position your animal is in (sit/down/stand). What you are rewarding for is engagement with the bucket.
Start reinforcing when the animal maintains eye contact with the bucket for longer durations. Don’t increase your criteria too soon or quickly as this may cause your learner confusion.
The animal is allowed to look around between focusing on the bucket – remember this is a game of choice and a conversation between you and them. No need to call them, shake the bucket, tug on lead etc. Let your animal make the choice to engage to participate in the training program.
Allowing access to a bed/mat and water – will give your animal confidence that they can take a break as needed.
Step 2: Choose what you want to train the animal to do – for this example – A dog having his ears checked...
I’m going to wait until he is able to focus on the bucket (remember it doesn’t matter what position the dog is in – it could be a sit/down/stand).
When he is focused on the bucket and able to hold his focus of a few seconds, I’m going to start moving my hand to his side (not touching him etc).
At this point he can choose to continue to look at the bucket – and if he does he will be rewarded. If he looks at my hand, he has communicated that he was uncomfortable, and I will stop – remember the game of choice.
When he re-engages with the bucket, the game begins again. This time, don’t move the hand so fast or far. If he is able to maintain focus on the bucket – he is rewarded.
This continues, until the dog is able to have his ear examined.
I’m going to wait until he is able to focus on the bucket (remember it doesn’t matter what position the dog is in – it could be a sit/down/stand).
When he is focused on the bucket and able to hold his focus of a few seconds, I’m going to start moving my hand to his side (not touching him etc).
At this point he can choose to continue to look at the bucket – and if he does he will be rewarded. If he looks at my hand, he has communicated that he was uncomfortable, and I will stop – remember the game of choice.
When he re-engages with the bucket, the game begins again. This time, don’t move the hand so fast or far. If he is able to maintain focus on the bucket – he is rewarded.
This continues, until the dog is able to have his ear examined.
Important:
The game of choice, will only work, if you allow the animal to communicate that they wish to begin, break and stop the game.
If the animal looks away from the bucket, the game breaks/stops. When they re-engage with the bucket, the game continues.
References
Domesticated Manners, (2015). "Teaching with Head & Heart". [online] Available at: http://www.domesticatedmanners.com/welcome/ [Accessed 21 Nov. 2015].
Patel, C. (2015). The Bucket Game. [online] Facebook.com. Available at: https://www.facebook.com/thebucketgame/ [Accessed 21 Nov. 2015].
The game of choice, will only work, if you allow the animal to communicate that they wish to begin, break and stop the game.
If the animal looks away from the bucket, the game breaks/stops. When they re-engage with the bucket, the game continues.
References
Domesticated Manners, (2015). "Teaching with Head & Heart". [online] Available at: http://www.domesticatedmanners.com/welcome/ [Accessed 21 Nov. 2015].
Patel, C. (2015). The Bucket Game. [online] Facebook.com. Available at: https://www.facebook.com/thebucketgame/ [Accessed 21 Nov. 2015].