Thanks for posting some videos, its always educational to see other trainer's in action!
I agree that the first session was "messy" - it didn't really feel like shaping to me because there was so much luring and very little active learning on Ziya's part. She has impeccable focus on you which I think makes it hard to not drop hints (ie: lures) to get her offering different behaviour. By the end of the session, I didn't see her moving toward the mat, just towards you - I think setting her up so she has to turn away from you might have helped her "get it".
I think the targeting session was handled much better...And I must say you are very good at juggling treats, clicker and target (I cannot handle all 3 at once)!!! I think it would have been good to change your position; I also think that tossing the treat away so Ziya cannot see you move the target would be a good idea (otherwise it acts like a hint IMO). Also, the last behaviour you click wasn't strong - from what I can see she didn't actually touch the target stick, its totally understandable but I would have rather ended on a stronger example of the behaviour.
The last mat video was interesting! I personally would not have added a cue at this stage, or if I did, it would only be once she was in the correct mat position so there is was no chance of confusion. I see that you added distance here but it seemed too hard for Ziya, like the previous poster mentioned she needed to be reassured for looking at the mat... Had you C&T there, I think she would have figured things out on her own instead of have to be "lured" back to the mat. I also would have ended the session much sooner, even though Ziya was still willing to work. She was excellent at 1:00-1:05 minute mark - heading straight for the mat and lying down even after you had changed criteria. After that point, there was a lot of prompting which stops her from problem solving. The 1:39-1:45 mark would have also been a good spot to end. I am the worst offender for keeping shaping sessions going to long but most of the time I have no expectations. If I'm shaping a behaviour that will have a cue later on, I end earlier then I want to - it keeps the dog motivated and generally ensures that we end on a great note.
Do you always have food in your hand when you shape? I am just wondering if she is focused on you or the food? Do you think not having food on you would make a difference? Some dogs get so focused on the food that they "forget" what they are doing and why they are getting food.
tashakota:If you continue to click then ask her to come off of it right after the click, you're going to teach her that the click ends the behavior.
Good call. The click and "good girl" will become release cues if you aren't careful. I made this mistake as well - until it came to weave poles, where I quickly realized that I didn't want Dodger to pop out of the weaves at the sound of a click.