🐾 Capturing Desirable Behaviors in Dogs: A Positive Training Guide by a Vet for 2025 🐕🎯

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Most dog owners spend far too much time correcting unwanted behaviors—jumping, barking, begging—when they could be encouraging the behaviors they *do* want instead. In this 2025 guide, I’ll walk you through a science-based method called capturing, where you reinforce the good behaviors your dog naturally offers, without the need for cues or commands. 🌟

📸 What Is Capturing?

Capturing is a type of positive reinforcement training where you mark and reward behaviors as they happen spontaneously. Rather than prompting your dog to sit, lie down, or stay, you simply wait for them to offer that behavior on their own—then you reinforce it. 🧠🐾

Think of it like taking a snapshot of good behavior. Every time you reward your dog for lying quietly, not barking at the door, or staying off the couch, you’re reinforcing that moment. And with enough repetition, your dog will choose those behaviors more often. 📸🎉

🪜 Why It Works (and Fast!)

Dogs are always learning. If we ignore good behavior and only react to bad, we’re missing dozens of opportunities each day to shape a well-mannered companion. By using what your dog naturally does and pairing it with food and praise, you’re creating a thinking dog who starts to ask: “What can I do to earn another treat?” 🐶💭

🎯 How to Play the Capturing Game

This training method is simple, flexible, and effective for puppies and adult dogs alike. Here’s how to start:

1. 🎯 Pick 1–2 Behaviors per Week: Start with simple behaviors your dog already offers occasionally. Some great beginner examples include:
   • 🛏️ Lying quietly on their bed
   • 🔇 Staying calm when the doorbell rings
   • 🚪 Waiting instead of rushing out the door
2. 🥣 Use Daily Food as Rewards: Set aside some of your dog’s kibble or use low-calorie, high-value treats. For large dogs, use 50+ pieces per day. Carry them in a pouch or place small dishes around the house for easy access.
3. ✅ Mark the Moment: When your dog naturally offers the chosen behavior (e.g., lies down instead of pacing), say “yes!” or use a clicker to mark the behavior. Follow immediately with one piece of food.
4. 🔁 Repeat and Rotate: Do this multiple times per day. Stick to 1–2 behaviors per week, then switch to new ones. With time, your dog will consistently offer desirable behaviors first.

🍽️ Example: Reducing Begging at the Table

Instead of scolding your dog for hovering while you eat, reward them for staying on a mat several feet away.

• Set up a comfy bed or mat a few feet from your table
• Anytime your dog lies there without being told, say “yes!” and drop a piece of food on the mat
• Ignore them when they beg—but reinforce when they return to the mat

Within days, most dogs will choose the mat over the dinner table. 🧑‍🍳🐕

📦 You’re Shaping a Thinking Dog

By capturing rather than commanding, you’re helping your dog become an active participant in their own learning. They’re not just obeying—they’re thinking, choosing, and succeeding. 🧠🐾

🛠️ Tips for Long-Term Success

• 🕰️ Keep treats low-calorie and portion-controlled
• 🧘 Reinforce calm behaviors more often than excited ones
• 🐶 Build up to more complex behaviors like settling near visitors or greeting people politely
• 📲 Use a clicker or verbal marker (“yes!”) to signal the exact moment your dog gets it right

📲 Need Help Capturing the Right Behaviors?

If you’re unsure what behaviors to reinforce or how to handle problem habits, download the Ask A Vet app and chat with our certified trainers or behavior-savvy vets. We’ll help you build better habits and a stronger bond with your dog. 🐕❤️📱

💡 Final Thought for 2025

Dogs aren’t robots—they’re emotional learners. By focusing on what they do right, you’ll have a calmer, more confident companion and a relationship built on trust, not tension. Start capturing today, and watch your dog shine. ✨🐾