November 23, 2015 at 2:24pm
Karen, beautiful.
I wouldn't worry about the brief look-away toward hand right now as you extend the arm. Most important is that she returns to your face as she is, showing understanding of how to get that food!
And, if we can add duration to her face-focus while that hand is extended, that will be a great next step. We'll also want to make sure that when you add movement to the arms/hands, she doesn't break focus, or if she does momentarily, that she returns to focus. She will get better at this, and it looks like she does understand that the way to earn reward is through your face!!!
You've got some other great suggestions here from students too to mull over.
As you start adding duration to her focus as your hands move, use a "good" to stretch the time if it helps. And if she breaks focus on "good", simply say it again, and reward her with "yes" for not breaking focus on it. If you have to repeat that a few times it's ok. She will get it.
Another thing you might do is release her from position when you "yes". Sometimes a release clearly defines the end of a session, which may make her more 'sturdy' within the session (because she more clearly understands it's end).
You're in a great place! Keep working around the clock and with increased distraction/movement from hands!