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| | 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.
 | 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.
 | Associative Learning-As
per wikipedia "Associative learning is the process by which an
element is learned through association with a separate, pre-occurring
element." |
 | 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.
 | Bribe-Relying on constant rewards (usually readily handy
like treats or toys) to get the performance of a command. |
 | Bridge-Transferring a reward like a treat to a noise like
the noise of a clicker in it's place (much of the time). |
 | 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. |
 | 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. (related to stimulus and 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. |
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 | 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 likelihood of the
behavior (specific definition to Operant Conditioning) |
 | Punishment-decreases the likelihood of the
behavior (specific definition to Operant Conditioning) |
 | Negative-to take something out of the equation
(specific definition to Operant Conditioning) |
 | Positive-to add something to the equation
(specific definition to Operant Conditioning) |
 | 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 likelihood of behavior by
adding something, (R-) Negative Reinforcement to increase the
likelihood of behavior by taking something away, (P+) Positive
Punishment to decrease the likelihood of behavior by adding
something, and (P-) Negative Punishment to decrease the likely hood
of behavior by taking something away |
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 | 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 definition of trade. |
 | 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. |
 | Dominant The behavior of confidently or with extreme
willfulness to seek to control resources. |
 | Drive-The level of desire for something which results in
a behavior.
Drive Classifications (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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 | 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. |
 | Markers-A way to communicate to your pet that they have
performed correctly or incorrectly. (IE verbal using words "no yes
good", sound by a device like a clicker) |
 | 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. |
 | The above 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. |
 | Poisoned cue-(thought
to be first used by Karen Prior) Where a perfectly useable cue was used
before, but now has been "poisoned by not so nice methods". |
 | Positive-(politically
motivated and manipulated word in dog training, when the definition is so
simple) Measured or moving forward or in a direction of increase
or progress. |
 | Punishment
 | Necessary Action Punishment (not used with the
learning theory of Operant Conditioning) An action that may be swift,
necessary, and aversive 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 undesirable 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 article or posting, abuse) |
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 | Reward-Something your dog is known to enjoy which will
increase the likelihood 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. |
 | Stimulus and Response (related to classical conditioning)
 | 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. |
 | Unconditioned Stimulus (US)-Something that obviously
and instantly gets a response. It does not need conditioning. |
 | Conditioned Response (CR)-Also known as conditional
reflex, is the action resulting when presented wit the now conditioned
stimulus. |
 | Unconditioned Response (UR)-The response to an
unconditioned stimulus. |
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 | 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.
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. |
 | Threshold and Threshold Work
 | Desensitization-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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 | 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.
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