▷ Glossary Training Techniques

Training Techniques

Marker Training: Using a consistent signal (e.g. “Yes!”) to mark the exact moment a desired behaviour occurs.

Clicker: Small device emitting a distinct click to precisely mark correct behaviour during training.

Positive Reinforcement: Adding a valued reward after wanted behaviour to increase its frequency.

Negative Punishment: Removing something the dog wants (e.g. attention, toy) to reduce unwanted behaviour.

Shaping: Reinforcing successive approximations that step-by-step build a complex final behaviour.

Luring: Guiding the dog with a treat/target to prompt a specific movement or position.

Capturing: Reinforcing a behaviour the dog offers naturally, turning it into a cued behaviour.

Desensitization: Gradual exposure to a trigger at tolerable levels to reduce fear or reactivity.

Counterconditioning: Pairing a previously negative trigger with positive outcomes to change the emotional response.

Target Training: Teaching the dog to touch/follow a target (hand, target stick) to drive focus and positioning.

Premack Principle: Using a high-probability behaviour (e.g. sniffing) as a reward for a low-probability behaviour (e.g. recall).

Differential Reinforcement (DRI/DRA): Reinforcing an alternative/incompatible behaviour to replace an unwanted one.

Classical Conditioning: Pairing a neutral stimulus with a meaningful event to shape emotional responses.

Operant Conditioning: Shaping behaviour through consequences of actions (reinforcement or punishment).

Habituation: Reducing reactions to repeated, harmless stimuli through familiarity.

Training Techniques FAQ – What Every Dog Owner Should Know

It pinpoints the exact moment of correct behaviour, giving clarity and speeding up learning.

A verbal marker (e.g. “Yes!”) works. A clicker can add precision and consistency, especially for timing-critical work.

Use shaping for complex behaviours built in small steps; luring is ideal for simple positions like sit/down or initial guidance.

Yes. Gradual exposure plus positive pairing is the gold standard to change emotional responses safely.

It replaces unwanted behaviours by reinforcing a specific, incompatible or alternative behaviour that you want instead.

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