DOG TRAINING GLOSSARY
Dog training terms,
in plain language.
Trainers use a lot of shorthand. Here is what the common words mean, so you can follow a lesson plan, read an article, or compare programs with confidence.
CANINE AFLOAT · CAPE CODHow dogs learn
- Positive reinforcement
- Adding something the dog likes, such as food, play, or praise, right after a behavior so the dog is more likely to do it again.
- Marker
- A sound or word, such as a click or “yes,” that tells the dog the exact moment they got it right. A reward follows.
- Clicker training
- Training that uses a small handheld clicker as the marker. The click is precise and always sounds the same, which helps with timing.
- Cue
- The word, hand signal, or situation that tells a dog which behavior to do. “Sit” is a cue. So is you picking up the leash.
- Lure
- A treat or toy used to guide a dog into position, such as moving food over the nose to get a sit. Lures are faded once the dog understands.
- Shaping
- Building a behavior in small steps by rewarding each closer attempt, instead of waiting for the finished version.
- Capturing
- Marking and rewarding a behavior the dog offers without being asked, such as lying down calmly.
- Reinforcer
- Anything the dog will work for. Food is common, but toys, sniffing, and going through a door can all be reinforcers.
- High-value reward
- A reward your dog finds especially exciting, saved for harder tasks or more distracting places.
Building reliable skills
- Proofing
- Practicing a known skill in gradually harder conditions so it holds up in everyday life.
- Generalization
- A dog’s ability to perform a skill in new places and situations. Dogs usually need practice in several settings before a cue works everywhere.
- The three Ds
- Distance, duration, and distraction: the three ways a skill gets harder. Raise one at a time.
- Release cue
- A word such as “okay” or “free” that tells the dog a stay or wait is over.
- Recall
- Coming when called.
- Check-in
- A dog choosing to look at or return to their person without being asked. Rewarding check-ins builds attention on walks.
- Loose-leash walking
- Walking with slack in the leash, without pulling. It does not require the dog to stay in a strict heel position.
- Heel
- Walking close beside the handler’s leg in a set position. More precise than loose-leash walking.
- Settle
- Relaxing calmly in one spot, often on a mat or bed, while life goes on nearby.
- Impulse control
- A dog’s ability to wait or hold back from something they want, such as food on the floor or an open door.
Behavior and emotions
- Reactivity
- A big response, such as barking, lunging, or freezing, to something in the environment, often other dogs or people. It usually comes from fear, frustration, or excitement.
- Trigger
- The thing that sets off a reaction: another dog, a skateboard, a knock at the door.
- Threshold
- The point at which a dog can no longer stay calm enough to think and learn. Good training happens under threshold, at a distance or intensity the dog can handle.
- Desensitization
- Introducing a trigger at a level low enough that the dog stays relaxed, then increasing it gradually.
- Counterconditioning
- Changing how a dog feels about a trigger by pairing it with something good, such as food. Usually done together with desensitization.
- Management
- Arranging the environment so unwanted behavior cannot be practiced, for example using a gate, leash, or different walking route. Management supports training. It does not replace it.
- Body language
- The signals dogs give with posture, ears, tail, eyes, and mouth. Learning to read them tells you how your dog is coping.
- Separation anxiety
- Distress when left alone, which can show up as barking, pacing, destruction, or accidents. It needs a gradual plan and sometimes veterinary support.
- Resource guarding
- Protecting food, toys, places, or people with stiffening, growling, or snapping. Seek professional help for a plan.
Equipment
- Long line
- A leash of roughly 15 to 30 feet or more that gives a dog room to explore while you keep a safety backup. Used for recall practice.
- Flat collar
- A standard buckle or clip collar that holds ID tags.
- Harness
- Equipment that fits around the chest and shoulders. Back-clip and front-clip designs change where the leash attaches.
- Treat pouch
- A small bag worn at the waist so rewards are quick to reach.
- Crate
- An enclosed resting space. Introduced gradually and positively, it gives a dog a safe place to relax.
- E-collar
- A remote electronic training collar. At Canine Afloat it is not a one-size-fits-all tool, and foundations always come first. If it might be appropriate for a dog and goal, it is layered in only after those skills are solid, and options, safety, and conditioning are discussed first.
Training formats
- Private lesson
- A one-on-one session with a trainer for you and your dog.
- In-home training
- Private lessons held in your home, yard, or neighborhood, where everyday routines happen.
- Day school
- A trainer-led session without the owner present. Canine Afloat’s mobile day school is a few-hour, small-group outing to real places.
- Group class
- Several dogs and handlers learning together with one instructor, usually on a set weekly schedule.
- Board and train
- A program where a dog stays with a trainer for days or weeks of training, followed by handoff lessons with the owner.
- Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
- An American Kennel Club test of everyday manners, such as greeting politely and walking through a crowd.
LET’S MAKE ROOM FOR BETTER DAYS
Heard a term that isn’t here?
Ask Emily. A good training plan should always make sense in plain language.