Monday, March 18, 2013

Dog Training Definitions Part 3

Through my experiences, readings, and discussions; these are the definitions that I have been coming up with to define terms that I use in dog training. It’s important to note that other dog trainers or canine professionals may mean different things when these same terms are used. However, I try to remain true to these definitions, such as these, when I speak on dog subjects. Some of the following definitions are a lot more detailed outside of the dog training or behavior modification world. These are the basics talked about as referenced (generally) by dog trainers. This is part three of the definitions and basics postings.
Ever wonder what those trainers or behavior modification people are talking about? While these might not be the only definitions in the dog world or otherwise, these might give you a clue!!


  • Reward-Something your dog is known to enjoy which will increase the likelyhood of an action or behavior.  In dog training, rewards do not happen constantly to control behavior, but are given for excellent or brand new performance.
  • Bribe-Relying on constant rewards (usually readily handy like treats or toys) to get the performance of a command.
  • Markers-A way to communicate to your pet that they have performed correctly.
  • Bridge-Transferring a reward like a treat to a noice like the noise of a clicker in it's place (much of the time).  
  • Poisoned cue-(thought to be first used by Karen Prior)  Where a perfectably useable was used before, but now has been "poisoned by not so nice methods".  
  • Correction-A way of firming up a performance that is not quite right or is wrong.   Body movements for a sit in line with handler position, or a leash and collar correction for non compliance are just one of the very many different ways to correct.
  • Diversion-Using another stimulus to divert a dog from the wrong action.   This is somewhat related to the next defintion of trade.
  • Trade-Trading something of value for a command like out or leave it.  Some people rely on this to take something away from a snarky or aggressive dog that has something that they shouldn't or is dangerous to them.
  • Desensitisation-Working with a dog well below their threshold to get them used to a stimulus (strange dogs, strange people, strange noises et)
  • Habituation-Working with at their threshold to get them used to stimulus (strange dogs, strange people, strange noises et)
  • Flooding-Working with at way above their threshold to get them used to stimulus (strange dogs, strange people, strange noises et)
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