Dog training glossary
Capturing
Quick answer
Rewarding a behavior the moment a dog offers it naturally on its own, without prompting it.
Written by the TailorPup team, updated September 2026. See our editorial approach.
What it means
Capturing works because dogs repeat behaviors that get rewarded, even ones nobody asked for. Instead of luring or shaping a behavior into existence, the trainer waits for the dog to do it spontaneously, then marks and rewards it. Over several repetitions the dog starts offering the behavior deliberately to earn more rewards, at which point a cue word can be added.
A real example
A puppy happens to lie down on its own while its owner is cooking. The owner marks it and drops a treat, and over a few days the puppy starts lying down nearby more often, hoping for the same result.
A worked example
Tom wants a calm down-stay. Every evening he keeps a few treats on the sofa arm. Whenever his dog lies down by itself, he says "yes" and drops a treat between the paws. After a week, the dog starts lying down near him when he sits, and Tom adds the cue "down" as the dog begins to lower.
Signs it is working
- The dog starts offering the behavior without being asked.
- It glances at you right after doing it, waiting for the reward.
- It repeats the behavior in the places you have been rewarding it.
What it is not
Capturing is not luring. With luring a treat guides the movement, while with capturing the dog produces the behavior on its own and you simply mark it.
Common mistake
Missing the moment, dogs offer behaviors briefly, and a reward delivered even a few seconds late can end up marking something else entirely.
Why it matters
Capturing teaches dogs that offering behavior pays, which builds the problem-solving habit that makes later training faster. It is also the easiest way to get behaviors that are hard to lure, like a settle on the mat.
How to use it
- Choose a behavior your dog already does often, like lying down after a walk.
- Keep treats and your marker within reach so you can respond instantly.
- Mark the moment the behavior happens, then deliver a treat.
- When the dog starts offering it on purpose, add a cue word just before it.
How long does capturing take?
A frequent behavior can click in a few short sessions. Rare behaviors take longer because you have to wait for them, so for those, shaping or luring is usually quicker.
Related terms
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