Capturing Behaviors and Fading Rewards
Capturing behaviors is an excellent way to train your dog. You simply reward your dog whenever they naturally perform a behavior you want to reinforce, like sitting, lying down, or being quiet. It’s a powerful tool for shaping reliable behaviors without needing to physically guide your dog.
But what happens after your dog consistently performs the behavior? Do you keep rewarding every single time? The answer is no—you want to transition from rewarding every instance to rewarding only when the behavior is cued. Here’s how and why you should make this shift.
Why Stop Treating Every Time?
Treating every time during the capturing phase serves a purpose: it teaches your dog that performing the behavior is valuable. However, continuing to treat every instance, especially when the behavior occurs randomly, can create confusion. Your dog may not realize the behavior must eventually be done on cue.
By strategically reducing treats and rewarding only when the behavior is cued, you:
- Teach your dog to listen for and respond to your cues.
- Ensure the behavior doesn’t become “background noise” to you.
Steps to Transition to Treating on Cue
- Establish Consistency: Before reducing treats, make sure your dog is reliably performing the behavior, whether captured naturally or with a cue like “sit” or “down.”
- Introduce the Cue: Begin pairing the behavior with a verbal or hand signal (we prefer verbal because you sometimes have your hands full).
- Treat for Cued Behaviors Only: Once your dog understands the cue, start rewarding only when they perform the behavior after you’ve asked for it. If they offer the behavior spontaneously without the cue, acknowledge it with praise, but save the treat for when it’s on command.
What If the Behavior Starts to Fade?
If your dog starts performing the behavior less reliably, return to treating every time temporarily to rebuild their understanding. Then, transition back to rewarding on cue once they’re consistent again.
Final Thoughts
Capturing behaviors is a natural and effective training method, but treating every time isn’t sustainable long-term. By transitioning to rewarding on cue and eventually phasing out treats entirely, you build a stronger, more reliable response that lasts a lifetime. Remember, training is a journey, and adjusting your approach based on your dog’s progress will lead to success.