The Complete Dog Training Glossary: 100+ Essential Terms
Understanding your dog starts with learning the language behind their behavior. For this reason, we created this glossary as a key part of the Camp Ruff Ruff education system. It reflects over 16 years of professional behavior consulting and humane training.
Because we believe in modern science, we explain each term using force-free principles. Furthermore, we use this exact practical framework with our clients every day. Whether you are a new owner or an experienced handler, these definitions will help you. As a result, you will gain clear, accurate, and easy-to-apply insight into how dogs learn and communicate.
The Complete Dog Training Glossary: 100+ Essential Terms
There are currently 5 names in this directory beginning with the letter R.
Rate of Reinforcement
Rate of reinforcement is the frequency in which a dog is rewarded. We can determine this by how many times we reinforce a dog within a minute. Then we divide 60 by the number of reinforcements given. For new learners the rate of reinforcement should be high especially with any high distractions. (ETC 15-20 reinforcements per minute) ...also see matching law
Reactive
Many professionals use the label reactivity or reactive to describe certain observable behaviors. Usually it's a dog that is lunging, barking, growling, spinning or lunging to name a few. Especially when they see a certain trigger (stimuli). A dog is usually on leash when reactive but many also use the term when off leash too. ETC doorbell or behind a fence (see barrier frustration) A reactive dog is usually trying to ward off or escape a stimulus. A reactive dog is usually fearful, a frustrated greeter or even related to some type of aggression.
See our blog section on reactive dogs
Redirect
Redirect in dog training refers to the act of guiding a dog's attention and behavior from an undesirable action to a more acceptable one. It involves shifting the dog's focus to a different activity or behavior, often using positive reinforcement, to encourage appropriate actions and discourage unwanted behavior. Redirecting is a technique used to effectively manage and shape a dog's behavior in a positive way.
Reinforcement
In operant conditioning, "reinforcement" refers to anything that increases the likelihood that a response will occur. A consequence a dog finds pleasurable or desirable. Operant conditioning, researched and made popular by B.F. Skinner, is the learning theory where punishment or reward follows a behavior to make it more likely (McLeod,2015)
See Operant Conditioning for more...
Resource guarding
When a dog protects anything it perceives of value. What a dog perceives of value depends on each individual dog and it can be anything from food to a leaf on the ground.
See Operant Conditioning for more...
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