dog training glossary

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

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There are currently 2 names in this directory beginning with the letter V.
Vacuum Activity
When an animal is highly motivated to perform an instinctive behavior but there is no available outlet, a vacuum activity may be exhibited (flank sucking, licking, etc). These activities have no apparent useful purpose.

Submitted by: S. Sheaffer
Variable Schedule of Reinforcement
Where an unpredictable amount of time have passed before getting rewarded for a response, or a number of behaviors required before getting reinforced. This keeps a dog motivated like a human playing a slot machine.


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