The Glossary defines terms used in these standards, and other terms associated with related concepts. Some terms have more than one meaning in everyday use, but these definitions apply to their use in the standards. Scientific definitions are those most generally accepted in the scientific literature.
abuse.
Injury by maltreatment, or the misuse of power accompanying a position of authority.
aversive.
An event or change in the environment that an animal finds unpleasant.
avoidance conditioning.
The animal learns to perform a specific response resulting in the absence or termination of an aversive.
basic obedience.
Generally includes "come," "sit," "stay," "down," walking on a loose leash, and paying attention to owner.
behavior chain.
A series of behaviors performed in sequence, either on a single cue or on multiple cues from the handler. A behavior can itself cue the next behavior.
brachycephalic.
Having flat faces, round heads, and short, thick necks; for example, pugs.
classical conditioning (a.k.a. Pavlovian conditioning, respondent conditioning).
When an animal learns that a certain stimulus predicts another stimulus and begins to act in anticipation of the second stimulus. For example, if the sound of a treat jar opening becomes associated with the presentation of food, the dog begins to salivate upon hearing the jar opened.
citronella.
An oil with a citrus-like scent, sprayed in diluted form as an aversive. Non-toxic.
clicker.
Small plastic box with a metal tongue that makes a clicking sound when pressed. The sound is used to form a bridge between a behavior and delivery of a positive reinforcement for that behavior.
counter-conditioning.
An attempt to lessen or eliminate an undesired association between a stimulus and response. Two approaches:
- classical counter-conditioning - Often used to change an emotional reaction, such as fear of a particular object. Dog is given a food treat each time the object is shown. See classical conditioning.
- operant counter-conditioning - Dog only gets food treat when displaying a desired behavior in presence of the feared object. See operant conditioning.
criterion.
A standard used in judging whether a particular element of performance, such as duration or accuracy, is satisfactory. Plural: criteria.
cruelty.
Intentional acts that can be reasonably expected to cause physical or psychological harm.
cue.
Stimulus signaling availability of reinforcement or punishment for a behavior.
desensitization.
Exposing an animal incrementally to a stimulus - such as a tape of thunderstorm sounds - with gradually increasing intensity while evoking little or no response. Typically used along with counter-conditioning.
ethology.
The biological study of animal behavior, which traditionally has focused on natural behavior and on questions about its function and evolution.
extinction.
Decrease in response to a conditioned stimulus due to a lack of association with the unconditioned stimulus. In operant conditioning, the term refers to withholding positive reinforcement for a response that has been rewarded in the past, with a goal of eliminating the response.
habituation.
The waning of an animal's initial response to a stimulus as a result of repeated exposure.
handler.
Person who is holding the leash of a dog in a training setting or who is otherwise directly responsible for managing the dog. Not always the owner.
humane.
Describes an activity performed with kindness, compassion, and respect for an animal, without inflicting unnecessary discomfort or distress.
instructor.
A person who teaches others how to train dogs.
long line.
A very long leash, usually 15 feet or more in length, used in training.
lure.
Object of attraction placed or moved to prompt a dog to engage in a desired behavior, which can then be reinforced.
management.
Limiting opportunities for a behavior to occur. Used either as a temporary measure until training can take place, or as a permanent solution if training attempts fail.
motivation.
An external or internal force which influences the likelihood an animal will engage in a particular behavior.
negative punishment.
The trainer ends a pleasant event after the animal begins an undesirable behavior. Decreases frequency of the undesirable behavior.
negative reinforcement.
The trainer ends an unpleasant event after the animal begins a desirable behavior. Increases frequency of the desirable behavior.
neglect.
Failure to provide basic requirements of food, water, shelter, veterinary care, and social interaction.
operant conditioning (a.k.a. instrumental conditioning, Skinnerian conditioning).
A process in which behaviors are changed by controlling consequences. Pleasant consequences increase frequency of response, while unpleasant consequences decreases it.
owner/client/student.
Person who receives training services.
positive punishment.
The trainer delivers an unpleasant event immediately after the animal starts an undesirable behavior, if possible while the behavior is still taking place. Decreases frequency of the undesirable behavior.
positive reinforcement.
The trainer delivers a pleasant event immediately after the animal starts a desirable behavior, if possible while the behavior is still taking place. Increases frequency of the desirable behavior.
professional.
With reference to dog trainers, a person training or instructing for pay or as a career; a skilled practitioner; a trainer or instructor, even if unpaid, who acts as a representative of a training organization that receives dues or payments.
prompting.
A cue or signal that elicits a response.
reward.
Anything the dog finds reinforcing - can include food, play, praise, touch, freedom.
reward-based training program.
Using rewards to elicit, reinforce or inhibit behaviors.
shaping.
Developing a new behavior by reinforcing actions that come gradually closer to the desired behavior, in a series of successive approximations.
stimulus.
Any event or change in environment that leads to a bodily or behavioral response by an animal. Plural: stimuli.
target behavior.
The behavior that the trainer seeks to influence. The criteria for the target behavior may change as training progresses. Not to be confused with targeting, in which a dog is trained to move towards and touch an object.
trainer.
A professional who works directly with dogs with the primary objective of teaching or changing behaviors.
