First Shaping Session Report!

Tonight I finally got up the nerve to try to shape a new behavior. Trigger has been showing excellent understanding and response to the commands of sit, down, touch, and wait, so it was time to add something new.
I decided to try and shape a "right" command. Gladys has a very nice "right" and "left" that I taught entirely by shaping. When Trigger first came home 3 weeks ago, shaping behaviors seemed to be completely out of the question. His attention span was so short, I could barely get even a sit out of him.
Over the last 3 weeks, big changes have been seen. He seems to be a resevoir of latent learning. I repeatedly told him things like, "wait" or "potty" and he didn't seem to be getting it. But now, I say "potty" and he wheels around and charges for the outskirts of the yard. I say "wait" and he freezes at the doorway. Sits and downs are becoming fluent. I say "touch" and hold out my hand and he races across the yard to tap my outstretched finger with his nose.
Tonight we sat down with a little dish of chopped, boiled beef hearts and a clicker. Before the dish of treats was exhausted, the little man was flicking his head to the right for a click and piece of delectable organ meat. I am truly in awe of his learning ability and look forward to what we can learn together!