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What Is Meant by “Hunting for Good Behavior”?
I first heard this call to action during an online course on off-leash training by Ines Scheuer-Dinger. But what exactly is it supposed to be?
In “Hunting for Good Behavior,” desired behavior is captured, rewarded, and thus reinforced. Capturing is a method used in positive dog training. Instead of actively training the dog or teaching specific commands, behavior that the dog displays on its own is recognized and rewarded. Commands can, of course, be added later on.
With the “capturing” method, the owner observes the dog closely and looks for natural behaviors that resemble the desired outcome. As soon as the dog displays the desired behavior, it is immediately rewarded (or rather, marked and rewarded) to reinforce that behavior.
However, the owner must be able to recognize the dog’s subtle signals. A marker signal is particularly well-suited for capturing the behavior with pinpoint accuracy. The reward that follows can be varied—the main thing is that the dog enjoys it.
This method can actually be used at any time; no “extra training” sessions are required. Simply observe the dog attentively while out and about and react accordingly 😄.
In the “Hunting for Good Behavior” exercise, everything desirable is captured and rewarded (at least with praise!) within a self-imposed timeframe (e.g., 5 minutes). Everything is counted and written down at home. This way, you can track your progress over time, as the frequency should increase (if not, you should check your timing and/or the rewards).
Have fun trying it out!
Personal Experience
Personally, I find it incredibly exciting to see everything Lina offers and shows me. And for me, good behavior is ALWAYS rewarded—ALWAYS!
Here is a small example where I reward Lina for checking back with me on her own. You see, that was quite a struggle for us! At the beginning of our time together, she didn’t look back at me at all.
Related Links
The following posts on this topic might also be of interest to you:
When it comes to recall, reorientation is the first building block. This can be reinforced very effectively through “capturing”: Reorientation – The First Piece of the Recall Puzzle
You can find detailed instructions on recall in my PawsUnited Academy. There, you have the opportunity to purchase the relevant modules easily.
For my clients who have already booked a training session, these documents and more in-depth content remain available free of charge in the exclusive internal area as usual.
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