Dog Training Definition Part 4

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 four 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!!

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!!



Classifications of Temperaments in Dogs:

• Core Temperament (or just definition of temperament)- Traits of personality that are inborn and genetic in nature.  While this might sound dire in dog training, while the core of one's personality, generally, won't be changed, it does not mean that responses can not be improved through training.  One other thing I would point out in my particular definition of dog training, these can be one aspect of a dog and not a way to describe a dog, necessarily, in the whole of their personality.   We identify temperaments in dogs to understand the best paths that have worked in training and behavior modification in the past in order to start a training plan (one of many things taken into consideration).  An even better definition of temperament as it applies to dogs is described as sound or unsound for a specific task.   This takes out the negatives, and focuses on temperament in a more positive light.

• Sound-Ideal for doing a job or task

• Unsound-Not ideal for doing a job or task

Some people will think the following temperament descriptions indicate that a dog may be sound or unsound.  Sometimes these things actually make a dog an ideal candidate for a certain task.

• Sharp-Over reacts in an adverse way  to things most other dogs would not react adversely to.
• Shy-Hesitant to be affectionate right away, but not quite fearful.
• Fearful-Extreme fear in situations that most other dogs would not react adversely to.   Reactions can range from trying to hide behind or under something, shaking, lip licking, to biting or attacking if feeling cornered.   Fearful dogs do not always bite, but cornering them or making some feel trapped can trigger an adverse reaction in some fearful dogs.
• High Activity Drive-This is the type of dog many call hyper or reactive.   This is a dog normally of exceptional physical and mental abilities.   These types of dogs often need a lot of exercise, but more than that a job usually helps them exercise their mind as well.
• Aggressive-There are many different ways to define aggression in the dog training world.   I describe it as a forward and confident action on the part of the dog to inflict a warning or harm.   Whereas fearful is a more defensive and backward position of a dog lacking confidence.
• Dominant-A dog that seeks to control resources.   They may not do this, in my opinion, in an aggressive way, but they will seek to control things in their surrounding (owners, treats, toys, territory, furniture)
• Independent-A free thinker.  This dog does not necessarily need or want human guidance as a rule.

Classifications of Drive (sometimes these are called positive or negative drives by some trainers, I think they all have a use and a place with dogs that can be either depending on the situation):

• Prey Drive-Urge and action of chasing, grabbing, and subduing a fast moving item.

• Pack Drive-Urge and desire to participate in a social group.

• Food Drive-Not that dogs like to eat or like food, but they are motivated to perform and learn a task when rewarded by food.

• Play Drive-Dogs that are motivated and learn to perform a task through the use of toys and games with others (humans or canines).

• Defense -The action of protecting oneself from a perceived threat.

• Rank-Desire to raise in stature in a social group.

• Avoidance-A drive that comes into play when the stress level becomes too much for the dog. They will seek to avoid the stress.

• Fight Drive-The ability to forwardly protect or defend themselves or their resources.

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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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Dog Training Definitions Part 2

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 two 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!!


Drive-The level of desire for something which results in a behavior


Motivation-The act of designing the circumstances in which a dog wants to and participates in learning. The energizing force that results in a behavior.

Generally, most trainers are talking about the presentation of a reward, as chosen by the dog, in order to design the motivation.

It can also be used in some dog training circles to talk about the motivation to avoid something unpleasant.

This is not MY definition of motivation in dog training, however. I am talking about creating a desire to participate not a desire to avoid when I use the word "motivation" in this sense.

Conditioning-Per the free dictionary-"a learning process in which an organism's behavior becomes dependent on the occurrence of a stimulus in its environment."

Classical Conditioning-Also known as Pavlovian or respondent conditioning, classical conditioning is a form of associative learning, which was first demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov. A common procedure to begin classical conditioning involves the use of a neutral stimulus along with a significant stimulus which would induce obvious acknowledgement by the subject. The significant stimulus brings about an ingrained response.

Use in dog training or behavior modification-When talked about in dog training, bridges would be an example of classical conditioning. The example of a bridge would be a clicker (or yes, good boy, target stick) when clicker training protocols are used. Behavior modification procedures of making other stimulus less intimidating (such as strange humans or unexpected noises) by associating these with something the dog likes (IE most likely food) is another example.

• Neutral Stimulus-Something that starts out with no innate response from a being.
• Conditioned Stimulus (CS)-Something that gets a response after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus.
• Conditioned Response (CR)-Also known as conditional reflex, is the action resulting when presented wit the now conditioned stimulus.
• Unconditioned Stimulus (US)-Something that obviously and instantly gets a response. It does not need conditioning.
• Unconditioned Response (UR)-The response to an unconditioned stimulus.
• Associative Learning-As per wikipedia "Associative learning is the process by which an element is learned through association with a separate, pre-occurring element."

Counter Conditioning- Per the free dictionary is "conditioning in which a second incompatible response is conditioned to an already conditioned stimulus"
Used typically in dog training by teaching a sit so the dog can't do a typical jump onto a person. A well taught sit is incompatible with jumping. Or, in other words, the dog can't both jump and sit at the same time.


Operant Conditioning-B.F. Skinner formulated a detailed model based on reinforcement, punishment, and extinction (be sure to read the definitions used with this below-these are not the general definitions of these words outside of dog training or behavior modification). It is the process of changing the form of behavior through the use of consequences.

• Reinforcement-increasing the likelyhood of the behavior
• Punishment-decreases the likelyhood of the behavior
• Negative-to take something out of the equation
• Positive-to add something to the equation
• Extinction-Produces neither favorable or unfavorable results. The action or behavior, therefore, occurs less and less frequently than before.
• Four Quadrants of this learning theory-(R+) Positive Reinforcement to increase the likelyhood of behavior by adding something, (R-) Negative Reinforcementto increase the likelyhood of behavior by taking something away, (P+) Positive Punishment to decrease the likelyhood of behavior by adding something, and (P-) Negative Punishment to decrease the likely hood of behavior by taking something away

Uses in dog training are limitless using the four quadrants. Here are just a couple of examples. (Positive Reinforcement) You reward with food after a desired behavior to increase the likelyhood of that behavior, when called for, again. (Negative Punishment) You take away your attention to decrease the likelyhood of your dog jumping on you.
Punishment-

• Necessary Action Punishment (not used with the learning theory of Operant Conditioning) An action that may be swift, necessary, and adversive but that is not used as a teaching tool. To me, punishment occurs when the opportunities for training or management have been missed.
• Negative Punishment such as used in Operant Conditioning would be a time out in a crate. You are taking away attention in order to decrease an undesireable behavior. This sort of punishment does teach and help your dog make a correlation regarding what actions get attention taken away.
• Abusive Punishment is abuse. (a definition for another posting, abuse)

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Dog Training Definitions Part 1

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.

• Fear (as defined by some dog trainers) Fearful behavior is generally the backward movement (not confident) of a dog away from the feared stimulus, perhaps until they are cornered. When describing a dog's behavior as fearful, many trainers are talking about the defense drive. The dog wants to avoid something that it is not sure of. Normally when a trainer is talking about a fearful behavior in a dog, they are saying their is an exaggerated response to a stimulus that would otherwise be non-threatening to the general canine domesticated population.
• Coddling A human behavior which seeks to give comfort to the dog.   However, this is comfort done wrong, inadvertently instead reinforcing a fearful or unwanted behavior.   With coddling, a behavior gets worse instead of better.  Example:  I used to crawl in the closet with my thunder fearful dog, Jazz.   Instead of getting calmer about thunder, she got worse and worse.   Finally, when I began looking into dog training as a career in 2003, I was explained that not doing that, and instead going about the house as if nothing was amiss would help her more.  I did that, and her phobia about thunder became less and less.
• Temperament The estimation of whether a dog is suitable or not suitable to a particular task based on observation of their responses to that stimuli.
• Aggression ( I tend to untangle my definition from overlapping with fear or dominant as to the best of my ability) A canine with the confidence of forward moving action in order to further a goal.
• Dominant The behavior of confidently or with extreme willfulness to seek to control resources.
• Behavior Modification In dog training this is a series of steps and exercises that seek to improve a behavior in the domesticated canine that is seen as unsuitable to the human family or handler's purpose. (IE being a pet dog, a police dog, a therapy dog and so on) IMO the possibility of behavior modification is greatly enhanced by the knowledge of dog training, and in most cases I feel dog training is necessary to communicate to the dog in order to get to behavior modification practices.
• Dog Training The practice of teaching a way of communication to and for the canine/human relationship to work optimally. IMO dog training in most cases (except the most bomb proof of dogs) requires many elements of behavior modification as well.

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The Definition of "Violence"

According to an online dictionary definition, violence is defined as "Physical force exerted for the purpose of violating, damaging, or abusing".   May think of spousal abuse, child abuse, sexual assault, or criminally motivated physical force. Others try to equate this definition with methods and tools used in dog training, selectively.

Is there violence and abuse against dogs?  Unfortunately, there are evil minded people that get great pleasure in harming other humans and/or animals.   Yes, there are humans who meet this definition of violence when interacting with a dog.   However, those people are not the responsible owners, trainers, or handlers that are seeking to train a dog to live in the domestic human situation.   In other words, it is not the owners', trainers', or handlers' intent or future result to be "violating, damaging, or abusing."

There are people in the dog training profession who seek to convince the public otherwise.  Anything that does not conform to their narrow view of training tools and methods becomes the incorrect definition of "violence".  Don't believe me?   Here are some blogs and sites that mention training collars or leash corrections as violence against dogs:

Elsa Larsen's Rant on Violence
Labrador Retriever Dogs Blog
Innerself.com  read all the way through, first part is abuse and neglect
Shibashake.com  Actually a good article that includes the correct ways to use a leash and collar.  I only disagree that correctly using a training collar really is all that difficult.  There are ways to make it easier for people.

Why are leash corrections not consider violence for some?   One, teaching, molding and repetition all occur before a leash correction is given in many methods, which allows for gentle leash and collar corrections later on.  Preparing a dog for corrections also relates to an article that I wrote about being proactive rather than reactive.Two, the human always has control of the correction level and when it is applied.   Three, the quality training equipment, like Herm Sprenger metal training collars or the modern electronic collars, have been designed and modified to not cause your average dog in an average training situation (who has been trained correctly using teaching, molding, and repetition) pain but only mild discomfort.  

Now comes the controversial part.    A human can use these and many other tools to cause discomfort or even pain.   Take this a step further, a dog that intends to harm a living being, like another animal or human, needs a correction above the normal working level correction, if that is appropriate and works for that individual dog.   However this is very different than intending to harm, violate, or damage the dog.    In fact, the equipment used is designed to keep us safe without harming, damaging, or violating a dog.    The very intent of the equipment is to keep corrections and control as gentle and mild as they need to be.   The handler or trainer is always able to override the intent and proper use of any equipment, when that happens it could meet the definition of violence.   More often it meets the definition of poor or sub standard training practices.

Trainers, owners, and handlers who know how to use methods and equipment properly are not largely populated by people, who relish and enjoy hurting a dog.   Professionals and people who care about their dogs, and the dogs safety largely want to use all four quadrants of learning in order to avoid or train because:

1. Dog not performing a recall in an emergency situation and suffering the consequence of being hit by a car.
2. The elderly and disabled sometimes need certain training equipment to level up the field.   The elderly and disabled should be able to own and train dogs if they wish to.   I am not saying they should not use the equipment and methods properly and perhaps with a little help at first.
3. A non savvy dog person taking mouthing or jumping as an attack.   Training, real world training, can allow a dog to go into a sit on the first command in a distracting situation.
4. To prevent a likely outcome of euthanasia and rehoming where either other methods have not worked, no methods were used, or the dog has gone to a state of being so behaviorally and aggressively challenged that progress is required at a speedy pace.

It is hurtful when other trainers and the well meaning public try to call acceptable training for the individual dog abuse.   Remember, that successful training happens when corrections and rewards are not relied upon in the future.   There are many worse things than a leash or collar correction.  Please seek to understand those that provide for the niche market of dog to owner aggression, dog to dog aggression, or danger to the public as is.   For some, this being even present in a term of the dogs life is unacceptable and requires euthanasia.   My take is that if I have 1) an owner willing and able to carry on the work after we or I am finished and 2) I have a dog where the severity of the condition is temporary and significant improvement can be made both in the dog's life and behavior, then that team deserves a chance to salvage the relationship and possibly the dog's life.

Remember that rehoming does not equate with success.   I don't consider a dog and owner team a success until we are years beyond the problem, and everyone is doing well at home.


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What is Dog Friendly and/or Positive?

Leon the Friendly Dog
As Opposed to Dog Friendly
(though he is that too)

There is so much information available on dog training via the Internet and books, and there are many trainers from all sides who claim their way is the "correct" way. It's hard for a pet owner to figure out the right thing to do. In fact, some training methods and tools are the subject of hot debate in the professional dog-training world.


Before that question is answered, let me explain what my own personal definition of dog friendly is. To be dog friendly is to offer your companion dog what they need in terms of food, shelter, exercise, training, and affection. The key words here are "what they need".

Second, the definition that I have for positive is different than the extremist positive movement in dog training, and you can find this definition in the dictionary.  The defintion of postive I use has the meaning "Measured or moving forward or in a direction of increase or progress."  Positive to me is allowing the dog to fulfill their potential and be all that they can be.


Each dog is an individual. As a dog trainer, I have never trained two dogs in the exact same way. The differences may be subtle in some instances, and very obvious in others. Furthermore, as I have witnessed improved relations in dogs who were problems to families, I don't go by the theory that some trainers share that only the most sedate and friendly of dogs should be pets. Indeed, some dogs are born with a certain drive and high intelligence that may not make them the right pet for most families. However, that same dog might be perfect for another family who wishes to do some very specialized activities. My family for instance is one such family. Finally, in that some negative behaviors in dogs come about from the lack of training and care by their human owners, it is our responsibility to make that right in so far as it is safe and possible to. These experiences, as a professional trainer with the time I have spent socializing and training dogs in shelters, have helped me develop my personal idea of "dog-friendly" and "positive" (the training definition and not the 4 quadrant definition or the extremist positive movement definition).

Many results based dog trainers use some additional tools and methods in their trade. These tools vary from trainer to trainer based on their interests and specializations. There are tools such as the prong collar; metal training collar, nylon slip collar, and electronic collars (talking about those that cause the most controversy, and the least research among some trainers) that are humane and dog -friendly training methods and tools when properly used, under the guidance of a professional trainer. These tools can not only quickly help an owner obedience train their dog quickly and effectively, they can also provide such things as increased freedoms and safety for the dog due to the speed and effectiveness of their obedience training. Freedom, purpose, and increased inclusion with their family is the highest value reward that I can think of (long term).

There are some trainers and even certain professional organizations are folding to the pressure of what is called "purely positive" training. This is a whole different can of worms that I can't get into in detail at this point. However, this political movement in the dog training world is the belief that EVERY dog can be trained without leash corrections, collar corrections, verbal corrections, body corrections, or any kind of negative or stressful stimulus no matter how slight it may be.

This is the reason that I am highly offended by the hijacking of this term, dog friendly and positive (along with a whole list of definitions that have been changed and manipulated) by parties with only their personal interests in mind. We are all professionals, and we all got into this business because of our love of dogs. I am proud to call myself a results-based, dog-friendly, and definitely positive trainer.

Need your dog trained? Visit the http://www.mannerlymutts.com services page. Or contact me at 207-361-4395 in York Maine. Ask for Robin Rubin, Dog Trainer.

Say no to HSUS, PETA, No Shock Collar Coalition (NSCC) or Truly Dog Friendly Organization (TDF). Articles and information on why I do not support these organizations is on here and here.









Need your dog trained?  Visit the http://www.mannerlymutts.com services page.   Or contact me at 207-361-4395 in York Maine.   Ask for Robin Rubin, Dog Trainer.


Say no to HSUS, PETA, No Shock Collar Coalition (NSCC) or Truly Dog Friendly Organization (TDF).  Articles and information on why I do not support these organizations is on here and here.

What is Motion Memory in Dog Training

Motion memory refers to those things that your body has become habituated to movement and/or action to the point it can override how you are trying to change movement and/or action. As an example, often I click my mouse twice over things on my computer even as I realize I don't need to do that anymore. In fact, it usually makes a whole bunch of useless windows open up that I don't need, and slows downs processes on my computer. My habit of motion is overriding what I already know that I need to do.  Where do these things show up in dog training?


· When a handler wraps the leash around their hands or puts their whole hand through the handle loop. The correct way to hold the leash, which takes awhile and practice to set into the conscience of the handler, is to put your thumb through the loop of the leash, and then wrap your fingers around the whole handle.

· During the training of the heel, when the leash hand floats into the air. I don’t know why this happens, and it never helps the exercise. What this does is put the leash out of place so that pulling your dog around becomes necessary, instead of having a slack leash on your dog all the time. The right hand holding the leash during the heel needs to be straight down so that the leash hangs loosely under the knee and any correction is given a well-timed and natural way.

· The instincts to gather up the line during the longe line exercise, and this is totally counter-productive to the exercise. You need all 15 to 20 feet of the longe line out, as your hand is correctly holding the leash at your mid section.

The instinctively grabbing at or gravitate towards your dog when they do not come. This is very related to the coddling instinct (coddling is usually an inadvertent reinforcement of an fearful or unwanted behavior, in other words the unwanted behavior increases the more it is done), and the dog is not given enough independence to know and learn what they need to do.

There are very amusing things that trainers sometimes do to correct motion memory. There is the belt to strap the handler’s hand down to their side. A water bottle in a hand also helps correct the problem. Most of all what helps is doing the homework, rereading the directions, and working on these to the best of your ability. Sometimes the dog does not need to be used in favor of correcting the motion memory problems before including the dog in the exercises.

What things can you think of in your motion memory?

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Dog Friendly, Defining

There is a war raging outside of the eyes and ears of your average dog owner.   The war is over the right to define the words dog and friendly together, to meet the political ideals and needs of some dog organizations.   Why would something so simple and seemingly innocent be creating such a stir?


Before that question is answer, let me explain what my own personal definition of dog-friendly is.     To be dog-friendly is to offer your companion dog what they need in terms of food, shelter, exercise, training, and affection.   The key words here are "what they need". 


Each dog is an individual.  As a dog trainer, there are no two dogs that have received the exact same training by myself.  The differences may be subtle in some instances, and very obvious in others.   Furthermore, personally witnessing improved relations in dogs who were problems to families, I don't go by the theory that only the most sedate and friendly of dogs should be pets.   Indeed, in order to have a certain drive and high intelligence, a dog might not be for most average families, but may be for families that wish to do some very specialized activities with their canine companions.     My family for instance is one such family.   Finally, in that some negative behaviors in dogs come about from the lack of training and care by their human owners, it is our responsibility to make that right insofar as it is safe and possible to. 


The above paragraph and experiences in socializing dogs at shelters with no training programs, and training dogs in shelters that offer such programs have helped me develop for myself the idea of dog-friendly.   Certain professional organizations are folding to the pressure of what is called "purely positive" training.   This is a whole different can of worms that I can't get into in detail at this point.  However, this political movement in the dog training world is the belief that EVERY dog can be trained without leash corrections, collar corrections, verbal corrections, body corrections, or any kind of negative or stressful stimulus no matter how slight it may be. 


Many results based dog trainers use different tools in their trade.  These tools vary from trainer to trainer based on their interests and specializations.  There are tools such as the prong collar, metal training collar, nylon slip collar, and electronic collars that are used properly and humanely.   These tools can not only quickly help an owner obedience train their dog quickly and effectively, they can also provide such things as increased freedoms and safety for the dog due to the speed and effectiveness of their obedience training.   This is the friendliest thing that I can do for both the dog and the dog's family.


This is the reason that I am highly offended by the hijacking of this term by parties with only their own interests in mind.