Dog Training Glossary

When dogs become sensitized to a trigger, they become more frightened and have a more intense reaction with repeated exposures, rather than becoming calmer and less bothered over time. This heightened sensitivity often leads to increased fear or reactivity towards the specific stimulus, emphasizing the importance of carefully managing and addressing such sensitivities in dog training. (See also: Habituation)

In dog behavior training, "separation anxiety" refers to a condition where a dog experiences a high level of distress or anxiety when separated from its owner or when left alone. Dogs with separation anxiety may exhibit various behaviors such as excessive vocalization, destructive chewing, pacing, urinating or defecating indoors, and attempts to escape. Separation anxiety can have a significant impact on both the dog's well-being and the owner's ability to leave the dog alone without causing distress. Dog with SA can injure themselves trying to escape.

Shaping is a conditioning paradigm used primarily in the experimental analysis of behavior. The method used is differential reinforcement of successive approximations. It was introduced by B. F. Skinner with pigeons and extended to dogs, dolphins, humans and other species. Shaping, or as it\'s formally known, “shaping by successive approximations,” simply means breaking down a behavior into tiny increments, and reinforcing the dog at each incremental step until you've achieved the full behavior.

Every day a puppy is learning about the surrounding world and growing. What they experience in these formative years (Stages of Puppyhood) play an integral role in the personality they will develop as they turn into adult dogs.As you could guess, well-socialized puppies most often turn into well-socialized dogs.The prime socialization period is 8-12 weeks but can extend from 3-18 weeks.A well socialized dog grows into a confident dog in all different environmental context and able to effectively communicate in their social group. Read more on how to socialize your puppy and How a puppy develops...

When a dog performs a behavior on cue quickly, anywhere, and under a wide variety of conditions, the behavior is said to be under stimulus control.

Stress is an organis's total response to environmental demands or pressure placed upon it to change or adapt.

Approach for engaging with a person or another dog to establish a positive and harmonious relationship. Indications of submission may manifest subtly, such as a dog slightly retracting its ears in greeting, or overtly, like a dog rolling on its back in the presence of another dog. (Refer also to: appeasement gestures.)

The critical window where a handler must provide support or reduce distractions to ensure a dog can successfully perform a behavior without failing.

Successive approximation in dog training is a method where desired behaviors are shaped gradually by reinforcing steps or actions that increasingly resemble the final behavior. Instead of expecting the entire behavior at once, trainers reward small, successive steps toward the desired outcome. This technique involves reinforcing behaviors that approximate the target behavior, making it easier for the dog to understand and learn. Successive approximation is effective in teaching complex behaviors by breaking them down into manageable and achievable components, promoting a positive learning experience for the dog.

To make less sensitive. To reduce or eliminate in small steps the exaggerated emotional based reaction (fear response) that an animal has to a specific triggers etc. sounds, other animals, people or any stimulus.