~Devising with the DOOM Spaniels~
(part 1 of 3) (part 2, part 3)
Teaching a pet to hold something on their head can be done gradually in tiny steps in order to allow them to be comfortable with the idea. The Spaniels get a treat every time they come in from outside (often in a day), and we generally either practice a trick or start learning a new one each time.
We work on several new tricks at a time, and practice lots of existing tricks, so I took about 6 weeks to teach "hold this on your head." You can do it faster if you work on it a few times a day instead of a few times a week. Be sure not to overwhelm them, though! If they seem frustrated or tense, give them a few days off. Do things they know well, find lots of reasons to reward them.
Teaching "Hold This On Your Head"
Initial Step) You can take any object that's familiar--I used one of my own hats--say something like "hold this on your head" or "hat," set it on their head, immediately remove it; right away reward them (I say "good" and give a carrot). Do this several times, maybe several hours apart, maybe several days.
Extending) Next, after using your "hat" phrase, start holding the object in place for a moment--don't expect the pet to balance it themselves yet, keep it steady, then again remove and reward. Gradually extend the time over multiple sessions until the pet seems comfortable (if confused, probably) with the idea.
Expanding) Once they seem relaxed, try: "hat", set the hat in place, pull your hand away briefly so they can feel it, then return your hand to balancing it again. Remove and reward, reward big! If it falls off, laugh, tell them it's all fine, they're still good, and try again. See if you can balance it better this time.
Extending again) Again, gradually lengthen the amount of time that the pet is balancing the hat by themselves.
Eventually, you will say your "hat" phrase, set it down, pull your hand away, and your pet will wear the hat themselves... until they get distracted or tired or it feels itchy ;) If that happens, again, laugh, tell them it's all right, tell them they're good, and either try again or be done.
Putting Stuff On Your Pet's Head
Okay, but a lot of stuff is really not designed to fit on pet-shaped skulls. Once they're comfortable with "hat," you can start assisting your hat to stay in place. Hats/headgear made for pets generally have an elastic cord with a cord lock (like the cowboy hat).
You can make an elastic chin strap, the right length for your pet, by looping ponytail bands together. You can even use the right color for your pet; you can see I have one solid white one for Yvaine, and one that is black and white for Tristan.
With sunglasses I secure the chin strap to one earpiece, set the glasses on their head, bring the chin strap around their chin, then loosely slip the other end of the strap around the opposite earpiece. I don't want to lock the sunglasses on; I want the Spaniels to be able to pull them off if they get tired or frustrated. It's important that they can stop if they need to.
I can use this chin strap for glasses, sunglasses, and anything that has hooks, clips, or a place to safety-pin it on (like the wizard hats).
