When training a dog, there are several methods to getting a dog to behave the way we want. We’ve spoken about classical conditioning and shaping as different methods to guide a dog through the training process.
Yet another very useful training method is called capturing. Capturing is when you wait for a dog to perform the behavior you want to put on command, and reward it when they do this naturally.
Imagine for a moment, you are struggling to get your dog to lay down on command. You’ve tried luring them under a chair leg or with a treat between their front legs, and they simply won’t lay down.
You could shape the behavior by gradually rewarding the closest approximation, or you might notice your dog lays down to watch TV with you and reward them whenever they do it.
When you teach the dog to lie down on command by rewarding them whenever you see the behavior, it’s called capturing.
Other Uses for Capturing
Capturing isn’t just good for the harder to train cues. You can also use it for teaching concepts. As an example, if you want to teach your dog to relax, you might be able to capture and reward when ever you see your dog looking relaxed.
In this way, you can encourage your pet to offer relaxed behaviors by capturing the behavior with the click of a clicker when ever you see it.
Similar Posts:
- What is Luring in Dog Training?
- How to Teach Your Dog To Scratch with the Rear Legs
- Shaping: A Gentle Dog Training Method
- Training Vocabulary: Proofing
- Teaching Your Chihuahua to Sit, Part 1
Thank you very helpful 👍